18 Indian-American high-school students are among the winners selected from 40 states by the National YoungArts Foundation. The names of 691 of the United State's most promising young artists were announced on November 17.
The 2017 winners are all in the age group of 15 -18 or are in grades 10 to 12.
These artists are selected from the fields of performing arts, literary, visual, and design.
YoungArts winners received cash awards of up to US$10,000, mentorship and training from acclaimed artists with opportunities to participate in YoungArts programs.
According to a press release, winners can take guidance in taking important steps toward achieving their artistic goals. It also added that these young talents, who represent the top 8.67 percent of applications, are selected through a blind adjudication process conducted by an independent panel of highly accomplished artists.
This year's finalists may participate in the 36th annual National YoungArts Week in Miami from January 8 to 15, 2017, in which the artists across ten disciplines can attend master classes and workshops with internationally recognised leaders in their fields. This includes YoungArts Legacy Master Teachers artistic director, choreographer and dancer Bill T. Jones, and celebrated photographer Sylvia Plachy, among others.
All the winners join YoungArts' expansive alumni network of leading professionals such as actors Viola Davis and Kerry Washington; musicians Conrad Tao and Jennifer Koh; and recording artists Josh Groban and Chris Young.