Mission Statement

Established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison, YoungArts—the national foundation for the advancement of artists—identifies exceptional young artists, amplifies their potential, and invests in their lifelong creative freedom. YoungArts provides space, funding, mentorship, professional development and community throughout artists’ careers. Entrance into this prestigious organization starts with a highly competitive application for talented artists ages 15–18, or grades 10–12, in the United States that is judged by esteemed discipline-specific panels of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process.

To date, YoungArts has honored more than 20,000 young artists, including Doug Aitken, Josh Groban, Jenji Kohan, Desmond Richardson and Kerry Washington, with over $6 million in monetary awards; facilitated in excess of $150 million in college scholarship opportunities; and enabled its participants to work with master teachers who are among the most distinguished artists in the world, such as Marina Abramović, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Jacques d’Amboise, Zaha Hadid, Quincy Jones, Robert Redford and Martin Scorsese.

Some of YoungArts’ work is featured in the three-time Emmy-nominated HBO program YoungArts MasterClass, which chronicles the work of renowned artists sharing their art and life experiences with YoungArts Winners. YoungArts MasterClass specials have featured Edward Albee, Olafur Eliasson, Josh Groban, Patti LuPone, Bobby McFerrin, Julian Schnabel, Kathleen Turner and more. Upcoming programs will feature Alan Alda, Joshua Bell and Robert Redford. In addition, YoungArts is working with world-renowned architect and YoungArts Artistic Advisor Frank Gehry to transform the recently acquired former Bacardi Tower and Museum buildings and three-and-a-half acre campus into its national headquarters, which will support expanded local activities in Miami and across the country.

Arts and Culture: youngARTS Week