Call Description

We Hold These Truths Theme
This call for art asks artists to explore how the truths that they hold dear engage with their disability and artistic identities. 

About Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program
The Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program, a Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program, showcases the work of visual artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, who reside in the United States.

The content of this program was developed under grant H421F240164 from the U.S. Department of Education (Department). The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities described or discussed in this program. The content of this program may contain examples of, adaptations of, and links to resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. The Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. The content of this program does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department. This program is not intended to represent the views or policy of or be an endorsement of any views expressed or materials provided by any Federal agency. (EDGAR 75.620)

Generous support for the exhibition and national tour is provided by Coca-Cola.

Awards
Fifteen winning artists are selected by a jury. Each winning artist receives a $3,000 financial stipend and has one of their submitted pieces selected for a national tour that starts at the Kennedy Center. Winning artists are required to attend virtual workshops (January 31, February 14, February 28) and an all-expenses-paid series of professional development workshops at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. March 10-14, 2026.

Application Process
The application deadline is November 16, 2025 and winning artists will be notified by January 9, 2026. Artwork will be judged by a panel of experts who are looking for artwork that demonstrates a high level of skill, expresses original ideas, and reflects the We Hold These Truths theme. To request an accommodation or receive the application materials in an alternate format, contact Wynsor Taylor, WRTaylor@kennedy-center.org no later than October 31, 2025.

Upon request, parents and legal guardians of Minors will have the opportunity to review the Personal Information collected regarding their Minors, make corrections, revoke consent, and request deletion. A parent or legal guardian shall not be subject to any discrimination for making such requests. If a parent or legal guardian would like to review the Personal Information collected and used by the Kennedy Center, revoke consent or request deletion, please contact: Privacy@Kennedy-Center.org .

Eligibility

• Artist must be between the ages of 16 and 25 on November 16, 2025 at 11:59 pm Mountain Time (MT).
• 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 disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Artist must be comfortable publicly identifying as an artist with a disability.
• Artist must be available to participate in virtual activities (January 31, February 14, February 28) and in-person in Washington, D.C. March 10-14, 2026.

Selected applicants will be contacted by email and asked to submit documents proving the above eligibility requirements prior to advancing to the final round of adjudication. Eligibility documents include the following:

Proof of Disability
May include one of the following:

• A letter from a doctor or other healthcare professional
• A letter from a reputable disability association or organization, a professional counselor, or a representative of a college or university disability services office
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents
• A letter from the head of the IEP team
• A letter from vocational rehabilitation services

The document must state the nature of the applicant’s disability or disabilities.

Proof of Age
Must be a copy of a government-issued ID, such as a passport, birth certificate, or driver's license. To be eligible the applicant must be between the ages of 16 and 25 on November 16, 2025.

Proof of US Residence and Right to Work
The applicant does not need to be a US citizen but must reside in the United States for at least 9 months of the year 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.) Documents accepted for this purpose are the same used in I-9 verification as outlined here.

Other Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• All visual art forms and media are eligible if adhering to the listed requirements.
• Applicant must be the sole creator and owner of all artwork submitted. Group projects will not be considered.
• Work that suggests visual plagiarism, such as direct copy of another artist's work, will not be considered.
• Winning artists must participate in the entirety of the professional development activities: virtually (January 31, February 14, February 28) and in-person in Washington, D.C. March 10-14, 2026 to receive their financial stipend.

Note: Artists must submit images of multiple works of art rather than multiple views of a single work of art. Jurors will be looking at the quality and scope of the submitted portfolio of artwork as a whole.

Application Requirements

Application Requirements

• Artist must submit images or videos of at least three different pieces.
• Artist must answer all application questions within the word count limits provided:
  • 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)

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

• Artist must be between the ages of 16 and 25 on November 16, 2025 at 11:59 pm Mountain Time (MT).
• Artist must reside in the United States and have the right to work. (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 disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Artist must be comfortable publicly identifying as an artist with a disability.
• Artist must be available to participate in virtual activities (January 31, February 14, February 28) and in-person activities in Washington, D.C. March 10-14, 2026.