As a young artist, making the decision to follow your dreams in the arts is not an easy one. Parents, teachers and guidance counselors can only offer advice. And, in many cases, knowing that the arts isn't per se a 'stable' career choice, most advice is not in favor of following that dream. At such a critical point in young persons' lives, they need help making choices. ARTS aims to offer them just that.

A program created by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA), Arts Recognition and Talent Search (ARTS) offers scholarship and cash award opportunities for emerging artists. Applications for ARTS 2001 are being accepted now.

Interested high school seniors and other 17- and 18-year-old artists can apply to nine categories: dance, jazz, film and video, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice, and writing. 125 artists will be selected for an all-expense-paid trip to Miami, FL to take part in ARTS Week 2001. During this week, they will enjoy a series of performances, master classes, workshops and readings. They also have the chance to win awards of $100 to $3000 based on their individual excellence (not in comparison to the other participants.)

Even applicants who do not participate in ARTS Week can earn a $100 Honorable Mention Award or receive a Merit Recognition. The NFAA will nominate up to 50 of the ARTS awardees to the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars to be considered for US Presidential Scholars in the Arts awards. 20 of those who are chosen for the award will be invited to Washington DC for the National Recognition Week in June.

To find out more about the ARTS program or to apply for ARTS 2001, call 1-800-970 ARTS or apply online at www.artsawards.org. The deadline for applicants is October 2, 2000 and the scholarship is open to all American citizens and legal residents. -- by Ernio Hernandez