MIAMI – What do actress Vanessa Williams, singer Josh Groban, Entourage star Adrian Grenier, Tony Award-nominee Raúl Esparza and novelist Allegra Goodman all have in common? They are alumni of YoungArts, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA), which identifies the nation’s most talented 17-18 year olds in the performing, literary and visual arts. YoungArts is also the sole nominating agency for the Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
Selected from thousands of applicants in nine arts disciplines, up to 150 of the nation’s most talented young artists travel to Miami each year for YoungArts Week, an all-expenses paid, week-long gathering that includes master classes, workshops, readings, and exhibitions and performances that are open to the public. This year’s venues for public events include: the Gusman Center in downtown Miami for performing arts shows, The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse in the Design District for the visual arts exhibition, News Lounge in Midtown for a special Jazz Combo performance, and the University of Miami Gusman Hall for a Chamber Music Concert.
YoungArts Week 2010 kicks off Tuesday, January 12 with performances by YoungArts finalists in Voice and Jazz; Theater finalists perform on Wednesday, January 13; Dance and Cinematic Arts finalists showcase on Thursday, January 14. These performances begin at 8:00pm and are held at the Gusman Center, 174 East Flagler Street, Miami. Also on Thursday, January 15 at 9:00p.m., the YoungArts Jazz finalists will perform with acclaimed vocalist Nicole Henry at News Lounge, 5580 NE 4 Court, Miami.
Visual arts and writing lovers are welcome at The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, 591 NW 27th St., Miami, on Friday, January 15, at 6:00pm for the YoungArts Writers’ Readings and an exhibition of eclectic artworks by the YoungArts finalists in Visual Arts and Photography beginning at 7:30pm.
The week concludes on Saturday, January 16, at 1:30pm with a Chamber Music performance by the YoungArts finalists in Music at the University of Miami’s Gusman Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables. The Writers’ Readings presentation time and location are to be announced.
Events at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts are FREE but require a reservation by calling (305) 374-2444, ext. 222. Events at venues other than the Gusman Center are FREE but also require a reservation by calling YoungArts at (305) 377-6991. (See the Calendar at a Glance schedule below).
“Anyone who sees just one performance by any of our students is wowed. The next generation of talented artists is right here in our own backyard,” said YoungArts President and CEO Christina DePaul.
The YoungArts program is open to high school seniors across the country who apply across a range of disciplines in cinematic arts, dance, jazz and classical instrumental music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing. The program annually provides more than half a million dollars in monetary awards and offers the chance to be nominated as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts to those who demonstrate exceptional talent and accomplishments. YoungArts finalists are selected in a blind adjudication process from a pool representing all 50 states.
Calendar at a Glace – YoungArts Week 2010 (Miami)
• Tuesday, January 12, YoungArts Voice and Jazz Performance, Gusman Center, 174 East Flagler Street, Miami, 8:00pm, FREE.
• Wednesday, January 13, YoungArts Theater Performance, Gusman Center, 174 East Flagler Street, Miami, 8:00pm, FREE.
• Thursday, January 14, YoungArts Dance and Cinematic Arts Performance and Screenings, Gusman Center, 174 East Flagler Street, Miami, 8:00pm, FREE.
• Thursday, January 14, YoungArts Jazz Combo with Nicole Henry at News Lounge, 5580 NE 4 Court, Miami, 9:00pm – 1am, FREE.
• Friday, January 15, Young Arts Writers’ Readings, 6:00pm – 7:00pm and YoungArts Visual Arts and Photography Exhibit, 7:30pm – 9:00pm, The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, 591 NW 27th St., Miami, FREE.
• Saturday, January 16, YoungArts Chamber Music Concert, 1:30pm, University of Miami’s Gusman Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FREE.
