Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
Scholarship Sponsored by Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Description
The Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award is a one-time, non-renewable, need-based grant of up to $10,000 awarded in conjunction with full participation in From the Top’s Learning and Media Lab Fellowship. The award supports driven pre-collegiate classical musicians by helping offset costs such as private lessons, instruments, summer programs, and travel. Approximately 20 recipients ages 8–18 are selected each year. Applicants submit a single application to be considered for both the Fellowship and the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award; there is no separate application fee.
Description: A need-based cash award tied to participation in From the Top’s Learning and Media Lab Fellowship; selection emphasizes musical commitment and financial need.
- One-time award up to $10,000
- Linked to full participation in the Fellowship
- Approximately 20 recipients annually
- No separate application fee
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to pre-collegiate classical instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers who are full-time elementary, middle, or high school students and have not yet entered college. Applicants must demonstrate musical commitment, unmet financial need, educational engagement, and strength of character. The program typically awards students from households with lower adjusted gross incomes and considers special financial circumstances. High school seniors graduating in 2027 must apply by the November deadline to be considered; the award can only be granted to students still enrolled in high school or below.
Eligibility: Classical instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers ages 8–18 who are full-time elementary, middle, or high school students and not yet enrolled in college.
Unmet financial need: Applicants must provide evidence that family income cannot meet the costs of musical pursuits. Historically, 90% of recipients come from households with adjusted gross income under $60,000; applicants with AGI over $100,000 are generally discouraged. If current circumstances differ from the most recent tax return, include details in the “Special Financial Circumstances” section of the application.
Other expectations: Demonstrated commitment to learning and creativity, and evidence of initiative, maturity, leadership, and community engagement are required.
- Applicants must be ages 8–18 and pre-collegiate
- Need-based selection with emphasis on financial documentation
- Musical commitment, character, and educational engagement are evaluated
- Questions can be directed to the FAQ or [email protected]
Award Value
The award provides up to $10,000 to be used for music-related expenses such as instrument purchases, private lessons, summer program tuition, and audition travel. In addition to financial support, recipients participate in From the Top’s Learning and Media Lab Fellowship, which includes an appearance on NPR’s From the Top. The award is non-renewable and contingent on full participation in the Fellowship program. Funds are intended to reduce financial barriers to high-level musical study.
Award Value: Up to $10,000 for music-related needs and participation in the Learning and Media Lab Fellowship.
- Funds may cover instruments, lessons, travel, and festival tuition
- Includes Fellowship participation and media opportunities
- Non-renewable, one-time grant
- Award contingent on full Fellowship participation
Application Timeline and Materials
Applicants apply through the Learning and Media Lab Fellowship application; the fellowship application doubles as the scholarship application and will prompt scholarship-specific questions if you meet eligibility criteria. After you progress through the Fellowship application, you will receive an email with a link to the Scholarship Supplement Form and instructions. The application requires musical samples, recommendations, and secure upload of financial and academic documents; do not send tax forms or transcripts by email or mail.
How to apply: Complete the online Learning and Media Lab Fellowship Application; scholarship eligibility is determined within that application and you will be guided to the scholarship supplement if eligible.
Materials you'll need:
- At least two unedited, unenhanced audio or video samples for upload
- Contact information for two recommenders (an academic teacher and a music teacher)
- Copies of the family’s most recent tax forms (all schedules and W-2s) and recent academic transcripts — to be uploaded via the program’s secure platform
- Scholarship application is integrated with the Fellowship application
- Secure, encrypted upload required for financial documents
- No application fee; scholarship requires full Fellowship participation
- After submission you will receive instructions and the Scholarship Supplement link by email