[January 6, 2021] – National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) announces Together, a short film, an ambitious endeavor to support artists across the country and at every stage of their development. Part of YoungArts’ Together fundraising campaign, Together, a short film was commissioned by YoungArts and has united YoungArts award winners, notable guest artists and educators to create an enchanting animated short that underscores powerful messages of solidarity and interdependence and supports the next generation of artists. Debuting on youngarts.org on January 25, 2021 at 8pm ET, the celebratory film is created by more than 1,500 individual digital frames that are each a one-of-a-kind piece of art with the presence of multiple artists, combinations that may never be found again. Each unique frame of the film will be available for purchase to support YoungArts.
YoungArts’ Executive Director Jewel Malone stated “YoungArts remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering artists by providing them with essential opportunities for artistic, professional and financial support throughout their careers.” She continued, “During these uncertain times, YoungArts is raising critical funds for the organization through virtual campaign efforts to continue its support of artists, while also celebrating art and its power to bring people together.”
Together, a short film features original drawings and paintings of birds created by Leticia Bajuyo, Zoë Buckman⁺, Demetri Burke*, Robert Chambers⁺, Julia Chiang, Paula Crown, Isabela Dos Santos*, Glenn Espinosa*, Shepard Fairey, Dara Girel-Mats*, Sheree Hovsepian, KAWS, Yashua Klos⁺, Jason Kraus, Catherine Labarca*, Destiny Moore*, José Parlá⁺ and Jean Shin*⁺.
The film’s moving story about hope, individuality and community is brought to life by
CALLEN’s Brandon Mugar and Reuben Hower, and independent agency Psyop and its animation duo Igor + Valentine.
“It is an honor to be part of this project in support of YoungArts,” said artist José Parlá. “As a YoungArts Guest Artist and mentor, I’ve witnessed the powerful ways the organization nurtures artists throughout their careers. Together demonstrates the collaborative spirit that is central to YoungArts and is so necessary in propelling art and artists forward every day, and especially during these challenging times.”
Together, a short film will be screened during National YoungArts Week +, the organization’s signature program for YoungArts award winners at the Finalist award level, the nation’s most accomplished early career artists. Six nights of free, virtual National YoungArts Week + public programming will begin on Monday, January 25 at 8 PM ET and will include performances, writers’ readings, an exhibition, and a digital anthology and catalogue available on youngarts.org.
Together, a short film’s individualdigital frames will be sold for $175 and available at youngarts.org. The one-of-a-kind works will be printed and authenticated by YoungArts and sent to buyers along with details regarding the artists featured.
Led byCampaign ChairsSarah Arison and Thomas Wilhelm, Jay Franke and David Herro, and Michi and Charles Jigarjian, Together supports the organization’s vision to empower artists to pursue a life in the arts.
* YoungArts alumni artist
⁺ YoungArts guest artist
About National YoungArts Foundation
National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) was established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison. YoungArts identifies the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts, and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers.
Entrance into this prestigious organization starts with a highly competitive application process 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. In their first year, YoungArts award winners, who represent the nation’s top applicants, receive valuable financial awards of up to $10,000; presentation opportunities at renowned institutions; and the chance to learn from notable artists such as Debbie Allen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Frank Gehry, Wynton Marsalis, Salman Rushdie and Mickalene Thomas in intimate settings.
YoungArts award winners are further eligible for exclusive opportunities including: nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students; a wide range of fellowships, residencies and awards; creative and professional opportunities at major venues nationwide; additional financial support; and access to YoungArts Post, a free, private digital network for YoungArts alumni to connect, collaborate and learn about additional opportunities. YoungArts alumni include accomplished leaders in their fields such as Daniel Arsham, Terence Blanchard, Camille A. Brown, Viola Davis, Allegra Goodman, Josh Groban, Judith Hill, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Andrew Rannells, Desmond Richardson and Hunter Schafer.
For more information, visit youngarts.org, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
About Psyop
Psyop is a creative production studio with a simple mission: to Persuade, Change and Influence audiences by crafting content that they seek out and share. Celebrated for nearly two decades of groundbreaking work and heralded by AdAge as “the Pixar of Commercials,” Psyop specializes in telling iconic stories that blur the lines of advertising and entertainment. With studios in New York and Los Angeles, and a global network of creative talent, Psyop works seamlessly across teams, disciplines and technologies to create memorable narratives and design with meaning across all screens and mediums.
About CALLEN
CALLEN is a creative lab based in Austin, TX. Built in the belief that great ideas are valuable, CALLEN is dedicated to a practice of constant experimentation, mutual respect, and rampant creativity.
