Each year, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) accepts submissions in the forms of visual art, literary art, and the performing arts for its annual Festival of Young Artists. 
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In addition, SPAC and Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) team up to offer a music composition contest. One student composer is selected to have their work premiered at SPAC during the festival.

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Submissions that are selected for the festival are shared on this website and at the festival event at SPAC.

 

Submissions are considered and selected based on the following criteria:​

• Originality and emergence of a personal vision or point of view

• Demonstrated skill and/or technique

• Interpretation and clarity of the festival theme

• Overall impression and/or impact of the piece

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Students are asked to upload the following when submitting their work:

• Visual Art: A digital photo of the artwork

• Literary Art: A digital copy (Word or PDF) of the literary composition

• Performing Arts: A video of  the performance or a link to a video hosted on an accessible site (such as YouTube, Dropbox, or Vimeo)

• Music Composition: A digital copy of the orchestral score with all parts

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Students must be in grades 6-12 to be eligible.

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Students and youth ensembles must reside in the following counties in NY State to be eligible: Albany, Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Rensselaer, Warren, Washington

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Teachers and directors may submit on behalf of their students or ensembles.

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In addition to selecting numerous works to be showcased in the online exhibit and live event, Saratoga Performing Arts Center awards one submission in each of the four categories - Visual Art, Literary Art, Performing Arts, & Music Composition - with the distinction Outstanding Artist. Outstanding Artist Award recipients are presented with a plaque and a $500 check at the live festival event.

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Additional details will be shared on individual submission forms when the submissions portal opens.

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Questions?

Contact the SPAC Education Department

education@spac.org

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