Merge: Nation's Best Emerging Artists with Disabilities

Merge invites artists to explore the intersections and combinations of their creative process and disability identity. This year's theme explores uniting paths and asks what we can learn when it all comes together.

The VSA Emerging Young Artists Program, a Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program, amplifies the voices of emerging artists with career development and professional empowerment. The competition seeks excellent work from emerging artists with disabilities residing in the United States. Fifteen winning artists are selected by jury: Grand Prize is $20,000, First Prize is $10,000, Second Prize is $6,000, and the remaining Awards of Excellence are $2,000 each. One submitted artwork from each winning artist will be selected for a national exhibition. Winners attend professional development activities provided by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., which will take place virtually and/or in-person as conditions allow.

Eligibility: Artists must be between 16 and 25 years old (birthdates between April 28, 1996 and April 28, 2005), reside in the United States for at least nine months of the year, and have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Submitted artwork must have been completed within the last 3 years and after the onset of disability. All art forms and media are eligible except artwork containing perishable materials. 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. Applicants must submit 3-6 work samples (images, audio, or video). Application includes a portfolio, written biography (2000 characters or fewer), artist's statement (1000 characters or fewer), and optional demographic information. Finalists must provide proof of disability, age, and US residency. Previous Emerging Young Artist Program award winners are not eligible to apply. For accommodations or alternate format materials, contact [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the entry deadline.