The **National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) Merit Award**, offered by the **YoungArts Foundation**, recognizes high school artists who show strong potential across a range of disciplines, including visual arts, writing, music, theater, dance, and film. This recognition is the **first step in the YoungArts application process** and serves as an entry point for students who are building a serious portfolio and seeking structured feedback on their work. Students who receive the NFAA Merit Award gain access to a respected national arts program that can strengthen their **college, conservatory, and scholarship applications**. Being recognized by YoungArts signals to admissions committees that a student’s work has been reviewed by professionals in their field. Merit Award recipients may also become eligible to advance in the YoungArts competition process, where additional opportunities for mentoring, programming, and potential awards may be available. This program is well-suited for: - High school students committed to developing their artistic practice - Students preparing audition tapes, portfolios, or manuscripts for college applications - Artists seeking an external evaluation of their work from experienced reviewers Interested students can learn more about disciplines, eligibility, and application guidelines on the **YoungArts Foundation** website: https://www.youngarts.org/.