MIAMI (September 10, 2026) – YoungArts celebrates its 45th anniversary this year with a season of public programs taking place across the country in partnership with leading cultural institutions, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center, Doris Duke Foundation, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and more. Spanning multiple disciplines and cities, the robust schedule of programming reflects YoungArts’ lifelong cross-disciplinary support for artists and its role in building a dynamic arts ecosystem that connects leading cultural institutions in service of artists and their careers.
In the past year alone, YoungArts deepened its support for its growing community of more than 24,000 artists, having distributed nearly $3 million in direct financial support, reached more than 1,000 participants with its financial empowerment program, and welcomed 811 new YoungArts Award Winners into its community. YoungArts also mounted programming and created platforms for artists in over 20 cities across the U.S. through its more than 50 institutional partnerships.
“Everything YoungArts does is in service of artists, and our forthcoming season demonstrates one of the most powerful ways we support them: nationwide partnerships,” said Clive Chang, President and CEO of YoungArts. “We collaborate with leading cultural institutions, across cities and disciplines, to give artists opportunities to share their talents across the country and connect them with extraordinary networks and mentors. Our goal for the years ahead is to keep widening what we can offer artists—funding, opportunities, professional development, community—and to influence and exponentially grow the network of partners who make that possible.”
“My grandparents Ted and Lin Arison founded YoungArts in 1981 on a belief that a young artist’s talent deserves serious support, the same as any other calling,” said Sarah Arison, Board Chair of YoungArts. “Forty-five years later, that belief has grown into real infrastructure and support for artists at every stage of their careers. YoungArts today serves as a model for what is possible when networks are strengthened and partners come together around artists—one that we’re continuing to build upon in the years to come.”
Highlights of public programs presented by or in partnership with YoungArts during the 45th anniversary season include:
YoungArts Celebrates 45 Years with Emmet Cohen & Friends
Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 7pm
Pianist Emmet Cohen (2008, 2009 Jazz), bassist Russell Hall (2012 Jazz), drummer Jake Goldbas (2007 Jazz), and additional YoungArts alumni kick off the 45th anniversary year with a special evening of music.
More information and tickets are available here.
Open House: Walker Bankson
Fountainhead Arts
Thursday, October 8, 2026, 7-8:30pm
Fountainhead Arts hosts a casual open house to experience the work of and learn about the lives and inspirations of its residents, including YoungArts alum Walker Bankson (2017, 2018 Photography).
More information is available here.
The Appleton Performance Series with Organist Marco Jimenez
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 1-2pm
Keyboardist Marco Jimenez (2020, 2021, 2022 Classical Music) plays The Met’s 19th century Appleton Organ, which stands over 15 feet tall and comprises 836 pipes.
More information is available here.
Performance by Julia Easterlin
Perelman Performing Arts Center
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 5:30pm
As part of a new residency-based partnership with PAC, Julia Easterlin (2008 Voice) gives a series of public performances at the Lobby Stage.
Email youngarts@resnicow.com for more information.
Performance by Daniel Emond
Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater
Sunday, November 15, 2026, 6pm
Musical theater singer and composer Daniel Emond (2008 Theater) gives a special performance at Joe’s Pub.
More information and tickets coming soon.
Miami Art Week – Hank Willis Thomas & Resident Open Studios
YoungArts Campus
Tuesday, December 1-Sunday, December 6, 2026, 10am–6pm
Hank Willis Thomas presents new works on the YoungArts Campus. Plus, experience the studios of artists-in-residence Ezekiel Binns (2017 Design), David Correa (2017 Visual Arts), Diego Gabaldon (2017 Photography), and Michaela Manzieri (2014 Visual Arts) in the YoungArts Gallery.
Email youngarts@resnicow.com for more information and to RSVP.
National YoungArts Week Winner Performances and Exhibition
Miami
Sunday, January 10-Friday, January 15, 2027
2027 YoungArts Winners with Distinction convene in Miami for a week of collaboration and learning with peers and mentors across disciplines, and offer a series of showcases for the public.
Design, Photography & Visual Arts Exhibition Opening
YoungArts Gallery
Sunday, January 10, 2027, 3-6pm
Voice Performance
New World Center
Monday, January 11, 2027, 8pm
Jazz & Theater Performance
New World Center
Tuesday, January 12, 2027, 8pm
Classical Music Concert
New World Center
Wednesday, January 13, 2027, 8pm
Film Screenings & Writers’ Readings
Manuel Artime Theater
Thursday, January 14, 2027, 8pm
Dance Performance
Manual Artime Theater
Friday, January 15, 2027, 8pm
Performance by Daniel Rudin
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater
Monday, January 25, 2027, 7pm
Composer and pianist Daniel Rudin (2014, 2015, 2016 Classical Music) gives a special performance at Joe’s Pub.
More information and tickets coming soon.
Shamel Pitts | TRIBE: Marks of RED
Royce Hall, Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA
Saturday, February 27, 2027, 8pm
Award-winning choreographer Shamel Pitts (2003 Dance) presents a continuation of his research exploring Black embodiment, consciousness, and human connection in this Afrofuturistic dance.
More information and tickets are available here.
About YoungArts
YoungArts is the only national organization that champions artists throughout their lifetimes and across all art forms, fueling the ongoing vitality of the arts nationwide. Building on 45 years of impact, the organization is galvanizing a dynamic ecosystem of support with hundreds of world-class cultural institutions across the country, enabling artists to more effectively shape and sustain their careers. Artists gain lifelong access to critical resources—including funding, incubation and presentation opportunities, mentorship, and professional development—beginning with early recognition as YoungArts Award winners. Through an intergenerational and interdisciplinary network of 24,000 artists, YoungArts cultivates community and drives innovation, collaboration, and career-defining opportunities.
For more information, visit youngarts.org, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Media Contacts
Dave Adams, YoungArts
dadams@youngarts.org / 305.377.1140 x 1308
Resnicow and Associates
youngarts@resnicow.com / 212.671.5167
