2027 Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program: Thrive

Opportunity

Thrive is a juried career development program and exhibition of work by artists with disabilities, ages 16-25. This year's exhibition asks disabled artists to consider how their life and their art are flourishing. Fifteen winning artists each receive a $3,000 financial stipend and have one of their submitted pieces included in an exhibit in Washington, D.C.

Key Dates

• Submission deadline: November 19, 2026
• Notification of winners: January 13, 2027
• Virtual workshops: April 3, May 1, June 5, 2027
• In-person career development workshops: June 14–18, 2027, Washington, D.C.
• Accommodation request deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026

Eligibility

• Age 16–25 on November 19, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
• Reside in the United States with right to work (includes 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands)
• Have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Willing to publicly disclose disability for all materials and public appearances
• Available for virtual workshops (April 3, May 1, June 5) and in-person attendance in Washington, D.C., June 14–18, 2027

Application Requirements

Submit 3–5 total works: images (up to 5) and/or videos (up to 5). Maximum 20 submissions per artist.

Eligibility Documentation

• Proof of Disability: letter from doctor, healthcare professional, disability organization, professional counselor, college/university disability services, IEP documents, or vocational rehabilitation services
• Proof of Age: copy of government-issued ID (passport, birth certificate, or driver's license)
• Proof of U.S. Right to Work: same documents as I-9 verification

Awards

Fifteen winning artists are selected by a jury of industry professionals. Each receives a $3,000 financial stipend, inclusion of one submitted piece in an exhibit in Washington, D.C., and participation in all-expenses-paid career development workshops June 14–18, 2027.