--- title: '2027 Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program: Thrive' description: >- Juried award and D.C. exhibition for disabled visual artists ages 16-25; 15 winners receive a $3,000 stipend plus all-expenses-paid career development workshops. url: 'https://www.artsume.com/programs/ff682a5b-6b2f-4b1e-a8c2-ce4a7e1ddce5' type: program status: open createdAt: '2026-09-04' updatedAt: '2026-09-07' programType: Prize/award organization: The Kennedy Center Office of Accessibility & VSA organizationUrl: 'https://www.artsume.com/o/kennedy-center-office-of-accessibility-vsa' deadline: '2026-11-19' location: 'Washington, DC, United States' isOnline: false compensationRange: >- $3,000 financial stipend to each of fifteen winning artists, plus inclusion in a Washington, D.C. exhibit and all-expenses-paid career development workshops careerStages: - Emerging artist --- # 2027 Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program: Thrive **Hosted by:** The Kennedy Center Office of Accessibility & VSA **Type:** Prize/award | **Location:** Washington, DC, United States | **Deadline:** November 19, 2026 ## About This Program > "Thrive" Thrive is a juried career development program and exhibition of work by artists with disabilities, ages 16-25. This year's exhibition asks disabled artists to consider how their life and their art are flourishing. As an artist how is your work evolving and changing? As a disabled person, how are you vigorously developing and growing? Show us your thrive! Fifteen winning artists each receive a $3,000 financial stipend and have one of their submitted pieces included in an exhibit in Washington, D.C. Winning artists are required to attend virtual workshops (April 3, May 1, and June 5), and a series of all-expenses-paid career development workshops in Washington, D.C. June 14-18, 2027. All visual art forms and media are eligible if adhering to the listed requirements. Artwork is judged by a panel of experts looking for artwork that demonstrates a high level of skill, expresses original ideas, and reflects the Thrive theme. ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Career Stage:** Emerging artist - **Geographic Eligibility:** National - **Age Requirements:** 16 - 25 years old - **Note:** Artist must be between the ages of 16 and 25 on November 19, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET). Artist must reside in the United States and have the right to work in the United States (includes 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and U.S. Virgin Islands). Artist must have a documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and must be willing to publicly disclose that they have a disability for all materials and public appearances associated with the program. Artist must be available to participate in virtual activities (April 3, May 1, June 5) and in-person activities in Washington, D.C. June 14-18, 2027. Selected applicants will be asked to submit documents proving eligibility (proof of disability, proof of age, proof of US right to work) prior to advancing to the final round of adjudication. Submitted artwork must be completed within the last 3 years, and after the onset of disability. Previous Emerging Young Artist Program award winners are not eligible to apply. Submitted artwork must be able to withstand handling, storage, and transportation to/from Washington, D.C. Artwork containing perishable materials, such as food, will not be considered. Applicant must be the sole creator and owner of all artwork submitted; group projects will not be considered. Work that suggests visual plagiarism will not be considered. Artwork created with generative AI is not eligible for selection; non-generative AI tools (e.g., spellcheck) may be utilized, but the artwork must be your own original creation. Submission limit: 20. ### Additional Requirements Submit images or videos of at least three different pieces (images min 0/max 5, video min 0/max 5, total min 3/max 5). Answer all application questions within the word count limits: Tell us about yourself. What do we need to know about you? (300 words); Tell us about your art. What is your artistic process? How/why do you create? (300 words); What unique perspective would you bring to the group? (300 words); What are your future plans? How would this program help you achieve your goals? (300 words). Artists must submit images of multiple works of art rather than multiple views of a single work of art. 2-Dimensional artwork cannot exceed 60 inches in height or width; 3-Dimensional artwork cannot exceed 48 inches in any direction when packed for shipping. ## Compensation & Benefits $3,000 financial stipend to each of fifteen winning artists, plus inclusion in a Washington, D.C. exhibit and all-expenses-paid career development workshops **Includes:** Stipend Fifteen winning artists are selected by a jury of industry professionals. Each winning artist receives a $3,000 financial stipend and has one of their submitted pieces selected for an exhibit in Washington, D.C. Winning artists must participate in the entirety of the professional development activities — virtually (April 3, May 1, June 5) and in-person in Washington, D.C. June 14-18, 2027 — to receive their financial stipend. ## What's Provided - **Travel Support:** Available - An all-expenses-paid series of career development workshops in Washington, D.C. June 14-18, 2027. ## Timeline - **Opens:** August 24, 2026 - **Deadline:** November 19, 2026 ## Contact **Email:** vsainfo@kennedy-center.org **Phone:** 202-416-8898 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/opportunities-for-artists/competitions-and-commissions/vsa-emerging-young-artists