YoungArts

What YoungArts does

YoungArts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 by Ted and Lin Arison that identifies and supports exceptionally talented artists aged 15-18 across ten disciplines, including visual arts, dance, music, theater, film, photography, design, and creative writing. Its core program is the annual National Arts Competition, which in the 2026 cycle drew approximately 13,000 applications and awarded 800 winners (including 164 designated with distinction), with cash prizes ranging from $250 to $10,000 and access to over $3 million in scholarships from 100+ partner colleges and institutions. Beyond the competition, YoungArts operates year-round programming including YoungArts Post (post-award career resources and microgrants), In Process, Outside the Box, regional programs, and a recently launched Miami Art Week initiative carrying a $50,000 prize purse.

The organization sustains a network of more than 24,000 alumni over its 40+ year history and operates from its Miami headquarters at the former Bacardi complex (2100 Biscayne Boulevard) with regional offices in New York and Los Angeles. YoungArts is the designated partner of the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts program and maintains exclusive performance, exhibition, and residency pipelines through institutional partnerships with Lincoln Center, Sundance Institute, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney, Carnegie Hall, and Miami City Ballet.

Its revenue model is donation- and grant-driven: individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation and government grants, special events/galas in Miami and New York, planned giving, and modest application fees of $35 per submission. Named institutional funders include the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, Knight Foundation, Gordon Parks Foundation, and Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation. Governance is anchored by the founder family lineage (Sarah Arison serves as Board Chair), with leadership under President and CEO Clive Chang and a board drawn from PwC, Holland & Knight, Morgan Stanley, and established arts patrons.

Name

YoungArts

Legal name

National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists

Website

https://youngarts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

YoungArts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 that runs the National Arts Competition for U.S. artists ages 15-18 across ten disciplines, providing cash prizes, scholarships, and year-round career programming to a 24,000+ member alumni network from its Miami headquarters with regional offices in New York and Los Angeles.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Education and Recognition Programs

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Young artist competition
• Arts education programs
• Artist grant awards
• Arts residency programs
• Performing arts recognition

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Personal giving from individuals who support the organization's mission to champion artists throughout their lifetimes and across all art forms.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships and sponsorships supporting specific programs or series aligned with company core values.
3. Foundation and Government Grants: Institutional funding from foundations and government entities providing direct support for artists through transformative classes, residencies, and workshops. Supported by entities including Miami-Dade County, State of Florida Division of Arts and Culture, and National Endowment for the Arts.
4. Special Events and Galas: Annual fundraising events including the Miami Gala and New York Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art generate revenue while recognizing award winners and guest artists.
5. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts and estate planning donations that ensure lasting impact on the future of the artistic community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

YoungArts operates a national nonprofit program that identifies exceptional young artists ages 15–18 (grades 10–12) through an annual competition across 10 disciplines (Classical Music, Dance, Design, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, Writing). Winners receive cash prizes of $250–$10,000 and gain access to National YoungArts Week in Miami, lifelong community support via the YoungArts Post online portal, professional development symposia (Up Next), residencies, exhibitions, performances, and ongoing microgrants and awards throughout their careers.

Product overview

YoungArts is a national nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive ecosystem of support for young artists through a multi-tiered portfolio of programs and services. The core offering is the annual National Arts Competition for artists ages 15-18 across 10 disciplines (Classical Music, Dance, Design Arts, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, Writing), culminating in National YoungArts Week—an intensive Miami-based program for winners with distinction. Beyond the competition, YoungArts operates YoungArts Post, a private online portal for award winners to access opportunities, along with professional development programs (Up Next), creative opportunities (residencies, exhibitions, performances), and financial support through grants and microgrants. The organization also maintains a physical campus in Miami featuring the iconic Jewel Box and Tower spaces, and provides ongoing support throughout artists' careers rather than just during the application period.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YoungArts Post: An online portal for award winners to connect, create and collaborate.
• National YoungArts Week

Products and services

• National Arts Competition Annual national competition for artists ages 15–18 (grades 10–12) across 10 artistic disciplines, offering cash prizes between $250 and $10,000.
• National YoungArts Week Intensive week-long program in Miami for award winners with distinction to collaborate across disciplines, develop craft with recognized leaders, and create lasting connections. Travel, accommodation, and meals are covered by YoungArts.
• YoungArts Post Private online portal for award winners to connect, share work, discover fellowships, residencies, wellness resources, microgrants, and additional financial support.
• Up Next Professional Development Professional development programs including Up Next Focus, Up Next Skills, and skills-building workshops to help artists advance careers.
• Creative Opportunities (Residencies, Exhibitions, Performances) Programs for award winners to create, develop and present work including residencies on the YoungArts campus or through partnerships, and exhibitions and performances at major venues.
• Salon Series Events bringing together creative art luminaries and public audiences, featuring notable artists and YoungArts alumni such as Joshua Bell, Justin Peck, Fab 5 Freddy, and Edwidge Danticat.
• Outside the Box Series featuring large-scale performances by award winners — interdisciplinary, multi-sensory, site-specific and often immersive events free and open to the public on YoungArts Plaza.
• Artist Resource Collective Artist-designed and artist-led program equipping artists with essential financial tools and knowledge including personal finance, business structures, contracts, taxes, grant writing, legal issues and intellectual property.
• Microgrants Monthly small monetary awards supporting the professional development and artistic needs of past award winners.
• Space Grants Complimentary use of space for rehearsals, performances or meetings at the YoungArts Campus including the Jewel Box, Ted's and outdoor areas.
• YoungArts Lin Arison Excellence in Writing Award $50,000 scholarship for a YoungArts winner in Writing who is a senior in high school. May be applied to tuition, room and board at an accredited school of choice.
• YoungArts Jorge M. Perez Award $25,000 unrestricted award for YoungArts Visual Arts award winner who has succeeded in strengthening their community through artistic endeavors.
• Ashley Longshore Excellence in the Arts Award $25,000 unrestricted award for artists in photography, musical theater and visual arts, with opportunity for mentorship and continuing education.
• Gordon Parks Foundation Award $7,500 unrestricted cash award to one recent YoungArts award winner representing the depth, breadth and integrity of Gordon Parks' work.
• Student List Service Subscription service connecting YoungArts applicants and winners to conservatories, colleges and universities for educational opportunities, with partners including Pratt Institute, Manhattan School of Music, Columbia, and 100+ institutions.
• Sundance Ignite at YoungArts Program providing opportunity for YoungArts award winners under age 25 to attend the Sundance Film Festival and participate in Ignite program activities including panels, workshops, filmmaker meetings, and film screenings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24,000+ artists supported through lifetime of programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Artist Relief CoalitionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020YoungArts joined Academy of American Poets, Artadia, Creative Capital, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, MAP Fund, United States Artists, and others to launch Artist Relief, a $10 million relief campaign for artists affected by COVID-19. Distributed close to $23.4 million in emergency grants to 4,680 artists.
• Sundance Film FestivalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018YoungArts at Sundance Ignite provides opportunity for five YoungArts award winners under age 25 to attend the Sundance Film Festival and participate in the Ignite program. Award winners attend panels, workshops, meet filmmakers, and view films debuting at the prestigious festival.
• UCLA Center for the Art of PerformancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Partner for YoungArts Los Angeles regional program presented at Downtown Los Angeles Theater Center, providing interdisciplinary mentorship and creative development opportunities.
• The Watermill CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Partner for artist residencies providing space for YoungArts award winners to create and develop work.
• Baryshnikov Arts CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Regional program partner in New York providing interdisciplinary mentorship and creative development opportunities for award winners.
• New York Live ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Regional program partner in New York providing interdisciplinary mentorship and creative development opportunities for award winners.
• New World CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Regional program partner in Miami providing interdisciplinary mentorship and creative development opportunities for award winners.
• Miami Theater CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Regional program partner in Miami providing interdisciplinary mentorship and creative development opportunities for award winners.
• Miami City BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Regional program partner in Miami providing interdisciplinary mentorship and creative development opportunities for award winners.
• HBO MasterClassflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Documentary series premiering on HBO ran for three seasons (2010-2014), spotlighting award winners across disciplines in master classes with esteemed guest artists including playwright Edward Albee, dancer and choreographer Bill T. Jones, and actor and director Liv Ullmann.
• New World SymphonycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1986Established by NFAA trustee and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas with support from Ted Arison under NFAA. Originally founded under YoungArts' umbrella, New World Symphony became a separate but affiliated organization in 1987 as a training orchestra for young conservatory graduates.
• Lincoln Center for the Performing ArtsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration including presentations such as Daniel J. Watts: Pelé and the Beautiful Game presented in collaboration with YoungArts. Lincoln Center hosts U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts performances and serves as a key partner for artist showcases.
• The Metropolitan Museum of ArtflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual New York Gala held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the iconic Temple of Dendur, highlighting the YoungArts artist community and raising funds for programs.
• Art Basel Miami BeachflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoungArts presents inaugural Miami Art Week program coinciding with Art Basel Miami Beach on its campus. Notable presentations include James Blake and FKA twigs with III Points Music Festival; installations by Isaac Julien and José Parlá in partnership with Rolls-Royce.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New World Symphony: America's Orchestral Academy founded in 1987 as an offshoot of YoungArts/Arison family philanthropy, training top conservatory graduates through a fellowship program. Highly comparable as a YoungArts-affiliated organization focused on advancing young classical musicians through residencies, partnerships, and career-launching performance opportunities.
• Spotlight Awards: National high school musical theatre awards program identifying and showcasing outstanding student performers. Comparable to YoungArts as a national recognition program for young performing artists offering performance opportunities and career-launching exposure.
• Interlochen Center for the Arts: Premier interdisciplinary arts boarding school and summer camp for young artists in Michigan offering training across performing and visual arts. Comparable in mission of developing young artists with national recruitment, lifetime alumni engagement, and partnerships with top conservatories and orchestras.
• National Guild for Community Arts Education: National service organization supporting community-based arts education organizations serving more than 8 million people annually. Comparable as a national nonprofit supporting arts education and lifelong creative development, though focused on community institutions rather than individual artist recognition.
• Sphinx Organization: National nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through music in Black and Latinx communities, running the Sphinx Competition for young classical string players. Highly comparable to YoungArts in identifying exceptional young artists, providing career development, and partnering with major orchestras/venues for performance opportunities.
• Vans Custom Culture: National high school art and design competition sponsored by Vans targeting student artists with a corporate-backed competition structure. Comparable to YoungArts' competition-based model but focused specifically on art/design disciplines with corporate sponsorship as the primary funding mechanism.
• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: The largest and longest-running U.S. recognition program for student artists and writers in grades 7-12. Closely comparable to YoungArts as a national competition identifying exceptional young creative talent, with regional and national award tiers and substantial college scholarship partners.

Broad incumbents

• National Art Education Association: The leading professional organization for art educators with 20,000+ members across the U.S., advancing visual arts education. Comparable in championing arts education but focuses on the educator/professional pipeline rather than directly identifying and developing young artists.
• Americans for the Arts: National nonprofit service organization for the arts, supporting broader arts advocacy, policy, and community development across the U.S. Comparable in mission and funding base but serves a much wider scope of arts organizations and communities rather than focusing on individual young artists.

Regional players

• Music for Youth: U.K.-based national charity providing music-making opportunities for young people through festivals, workshops, and the National Music for Youth Competition. Comparable in mission of identifying and supporting young musicians but operates in the U.K. rather than the U.S. market.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/YoungArtsNFAA
• Facebookfacebook.com/YoungArtsFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/youngarts
• TikToktiktok.com/@youngarts_
• Xx.com/youngarts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youngarts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YoungArts