National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts (NFAA) Recognition and Talent Search is open to high school students in grades 10-12 (age 15-18). Awards are given in ten specific areas, including cinematic arts, dance, design, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing.
Up to 700 students are chosen each year as national winners. The application consists of sending in either a portfolio or audition tape that demonstrates the student's talent in one of the selected ten areas. There are no transcripts or references needed. From the national winners, 160 will be chosen as finalists.
From the national winners, each year up to 60 are nominated to the Presidential Scholars Commission, and 20 students are selected as Arts Scholars. Arts Scholars are invited to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, or be invited to display their work at a Smithsonian art museum.
The awards are sponsored by NFAA, now known as The National YoungArts Foundation. The non-profit organization was formed in 1981 to support young artists who have strong talent in the areas of visual, written or performing arts. The organization gives scholarships and talent recognition, and offers other programs to young artists to help them pursue careers in the arts.
The deadline for this scholarship is usually in OCTOBER of each year, and the award amount is usually $10,000.
For more details, visit www.youngarts.org/
