Virgin Islands: Celebrating Young Artists

This year the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts (VICA) launched a new program to support young artists in the Territory. The Young Emerging Artist Honors (YEAH) program is designed to recognize the talents of young artists and to bring visibility to their exceptional achievements in the visual arts, media arts, literature, dance, photography, music and theater.

In addition to providing recognition and small cash awards, the program helps 8th and 12 graders to practice the basics of grant writing and portfolio preparation, skills that will benefit them later in life. Applicants must submit a portfolio of artistic work samples, an essay describing their artistic vision, a biographical summary and letters of support from teachers, artists or other professionals. The criteria for receiving YEAH recognition are innovation, originality, and emergence of a personal vision or voice. Up to 20 awards are given, ranging from $200 to $500. For more information, contact VICA Grants Officer Monique Walters.