YoungArts Week 2012 Schedule Announced, Kicks Off 1/9-14

YoungArts, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA), is set to welcome and showcase the nation's best and brightest young artists in Miami for a week of workshops, master classes, performances and exhibitions during YoungArts Week, January 9-14, 2012. Performances and exhibitions are free and open to the public, and will be streaming live online at www.youngarts.org.

In addition to performances and exhibitions each evening, this year's 152 YoungArts Finalists will experience daily workshops and master classes with renowned masters, including Bill T. Jones and Jacques d'Amboise. The week culminates in a special finale performance by YoungArts alumni, and an awards ceremony featuring honorees Robert Redford, Doug Aitken and Robert L. Lynch, prior to the organization's annual gala event.

"YoungArts is committed to supporting the artistic development of young artists, and ensuring that the next generation of American artists has the necessary resources to flourish. YoungArts Week provides these gifted young artists a rare, once in a lifetime experience to work alongside masters and fellow students," said Paul T. Lehr, NFAA's Executive Director.

Selected from thousands of applicants in nine arts disciplines including cinematic arts, dance, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing, approximately 150 of the nation's most talented young artists travel to Miami each year for YoungArts Week, an all-expenses paid, weeklong gathering of life-changing experiences.

YoungArts is also the exclusive nominating agency for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, the highest honor that can be awarded to any artistically talented graduating high school senior. Up to 60 YoungArts Finalists will be nominated to become one of 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, selected by the White House appointed Commission on Presidential Scholars. During YoungArts Week in Miami, the finalists will be adjudicated to determine further award levels, ranging from $1,000 up to $10,000.

Calendar at a Glance – YoungArts Week 2012 – Nightly performances and exhibitions include:

Monday, January 9 at 8:00 p.m., YoungArts Voice and Jazz Performance, New World Center, 500 17th Street, Miami Beach. Call 305-673-3331 or visit www.newworldcenter.com (service fee applies) to reserve tickets. Event streaming line online at www.youngarts.org.

Tuesday, January 10 at 8:00 p.m., YoungArts Theater Performance, The Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Call 800-745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com (service fee applies) to reserve tickets. Event streaming live online at www.youngarts.org.

Wednesday, January 11 at 8:00 p.m., YoungArts Dance Performance and Cinematic Arts Screening, New World Center, 500 17th Street, Miami Beach. Call 305-673-3331 or visit www.newworldcenter.com (service fee applies) to reserve tickets. Event streaming live online at www.youngarts.org.

Thursday, January 12 at 6:00 p.m., YoungArts Writers' Readings, Miami Art Museum (MAM) Cultural Plaza, 101 W Flagler Street, Miami (tickets not required).

Thursday, January 12 at 7:30 p.m., YoungArts Visual Arts and Photography Exhibition, Miami Art Museum (MAM) Cultural Plaza, 101 W Flagler Street, Miami (tickets not required).

Thursday, January 12 at 9:00 p.m. Jazz Performance, Upstairs at The Van Dyke Café, 846 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach (tickets not required).

Friday, January 13 at 8:00 p.m., YoungArts Chamber Music Concert, New World Center, 500 17th Street, Miami Beach. Call 305-673-3331 or visit www.newworldcenter.com (service fee applies) to reserve tickets. Event streamed live online at www.youngarts.org.

Saturday, January 14 at 6:15 p.m., YoungArts Week Finale: Alumni Performance & Awards Ceremony, honoring special guests Robert Redford, Doug Aitken, and Robert L. Lynch, The Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center of the Performing Arts, 174 East Flagler Street, Miami. Call 305-374-2444 or visit www.gusmancenter.org to purchase tickets ($20, $10 for students with ID and YoungArts Alumni). Tickets must be reserved in advance; limited seating available (service fee applies).

For ticket information, visit www.youngarts.org or contact the box office at the appropriate venue. Service fee applies if tickets reserved via phone or online.

About YoungArts Week
Each year, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) invites approximately 150 of the nation's most talented young artists to Miami for a week of intense learning experiences with master teachers that aid in their artistic development. This week also is a key part of the nomination process for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, as students are adjudicated throughout the week for nomination to this honor. Throughout YoungArts Week, there are performances, readings, exhibitions and screenings that are free and open to the public. Venues for performances and exhibitions include the New World Center, the Miami Art Museum, the Colony Theatre, and The Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. More information is available at http://youngarts.org/2012-youngarts-week. YoungArts Week is supported through the generosity of the following organizations: National Premier Sponsor Carnival Cruise Lines, The Miami Herald, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, Canon Business Solutions, the Miami Downtown Development Authority, Coca-Cola North America, Steinway & Sons, WLRN-FM, and LITE-FM.

About YoungArts

YoungArts is the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA). The organization's mission is to identify emerging artists, provide educational enrichment and assistance in their pursuit of the arts, and to raise the appreciation for and support of the arts in American society. Dedicated to inspiring and nurturing young artists, NFAA was founded in 1981 by businessman and visionary, the late Ted Arison, and his wife Lin. The YoungArts program identifies the next generation of emerging artists and contributes to the cultural vitality of the nation by investing in the artistic development of thousands of gifted artists in nine disciplines in the visual, literary and performing arts. At the request of The Commission on Presidential Scholars, which is appointed by the President of the United States, NFAA serves as the exclusive nominating agency for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

The YoungArts program has honored over 16,000 young artists with more than $6 million in monetary awards and nearly $84 million in college scholarship opportunities. Alumni go on to become leading professionals in their fields. Alumni include actresses Vanessa Williams and Kerry Washington, four-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza, Executive Director of American Ballet Theatre Rachel Moore, recording artists Nicki Minaj and Chris Young, violinist Jennifer Koh, choreographer Desmond Richardson, and internationally acclaimed multimedia artist Doug Aitken.