Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program 2027: "Thrive"

The Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program is a national juried exhibition for visual artists with disabilities, run by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Since 2002, it has supported emerging artists through career development and professional empowerment. It is open to artists aged 16 to 25 who live in the United States. Fifteen artists each receive a $3,000 stipend, take part in professional development activities and have one of their submitted works shown in an exhibition. Applications for 2027 close on 19 November 2026.

The programme is one of the Kennedy Center's Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Programs.

The 2027 Theme: "Thrive"

"Thrive" asks disabled artists to consider how their life and their art are flourishing. How is your work evolving and changing as an artist? How are you developing and growing as a disabled person? The organisers invite artists to "show us your thrive".

What Selected Artists Receive

• A $3,000 stipend
• Professional development activities, including workshops
• An exhibition of one of their submitted works, with a catalogue

Past programmes have included in-person activities in Washington, D.C.; check the call for this year's dates and requirements.

Who Can Apply to the Emerging Young Artists Program?

Visual artists with disabilities, aged 16 to 25, who live in the United States. The programme celebrates the excellence and important perspectives of artists with disabilities, and all visual media are welcome.

How to Apply

Read the call on the Kennedy Center website and watch the Application 101 webinar, which explains the programme and the process. Then submit your artwork through the online application, responding to the theme. Questions about the application can be answered through the webinar and the programme contacts.

Past Themes

Recent editions have included "We Hold These Truths" (2026), "Catalyst" (2025), "Interchange" (2023–2024), "MERGE" (2020–2021) and "Connected" (2019–2020). Catalogues of past exhibitions are available as downloads on the programme page, and they are a good way to see the range of work selected.

Tips for Applying

Respond to the theme in a personal way: think about what flourishing means in your own life and art, and how your disability identity shapes your work. Choose your strongest images, photograph them well, and write an artist statement that is clear and honest. If you need access support to apply, contact the programme.

Why It Matters

For young artists, a national exhibition at the Kennedy Center, together with professional development and a stipend, can be an important early step in a career. Past participants come from across the US, and the catalogues give their work lasting visibility.

About the Kennedy Center Programs

The Kennedy Center's Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Programs support artists with disabilities across the performing and visual arts. Alongside the Emerging Young Artists Program, they include the VSA International Young Soloists Award for musicians. Together, the programmes aim to shape the future of the arts by giving disabled artists recognition, professional training and a national platform for their work.

Accessibility

If you need adjustments or access support to apply, contact the programme well before the deadline. The Application 101 webinar is also a good starting point for questions about the process.

Things to Consider

• Ages 16 to 25.
• US residents with disabilities.
• 15 artists selected.
• Deadline: 19 November 2026.

Apply to the Program

Ready to show us your thrive?

Apply to the Emerging Young Artists Program

The call and webinar are on the Kennedy Center website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 4, 2026