Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

Scholarship Sponsored by Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Overview

The Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award is a one-time, non-renewable, need-based award of up to $10,000. It is awarded in conjunction with full participation in From the Top’s Learning and Media Lab Fellowship and is intended to help offset the costs of high-level classical music study. From the Top selects approximately 20 pre-collegiate musicians each year. An application to this Award is the same application used for the Learning and Media Lab Fellowship.

Description: The Award supports driven and committed pre-collegiate classical musicians ages 8–18 who demonstrate financial need and musical promise.

• One-time, need-based award up to $10,000
• Approximately 20 recipients selected annually
• Single application covers both the Award and the Fellowship

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are classical instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers who are full-time elementary, middle, or high school students and have not yet entered college. Applicants must demonstrate strong musical commitment, educational engagement, leadership, and strength of character. Financial need is a core criterion: applicants must provide evidence that their family income does not cover the costs associated with advanced musical training. The program provides guidance on typical recipient income levels but considers extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility: Open to pre-collegiate classical musicians ages 8–18 with demonstrated need and commitment to learning and community.

• Ages 8–18; enrolled in K–12 and not yet in college
• Must show musical ability, educational engagement, and leadership
• Need-based; financial documentation required
• Income guidance: most past recipients have AGI under $60,000; applicants with AGI over $100,000 are generally discouraged

Award Value and Benefits

The Award provides up to $10,000 to be used for music-related expenses such as instrument purchases, private lessons, summer festival tuition, and college audition travel. Recipients participate in From the Top’s Learning and Media Lab Fellowship, which includes media training and an appearance on NPR’s From the Top. The Award cannot be issued separately from full participation in the Fellowship program. Benefits are intended to directly support the recipient’s musical training and opportunities.

Award Value: Up to $10,000 for music-related needs, contingent on Fellowship participation.

• Funds may be used for instruments, lessons, camps, and audition travel
• Includes participation in the Learning and Media Lab Fellowship
• Opportunity to appear on NPR’s From the Top

Application Process and Required Materials

Applying to the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award is integrated with From the Top’s Learning and Media Lab Fellowship application; no separate submission is required. The application requires at least two unedited audio or video performance samples, contact information for two recommenders (one academic and one music teacher), and secure upload of family tax forms and academic transcripts. Recommendation forms and further instructions are sent to teachers after the online application is submitted. There is no application fee.

Application Materials: Submit performance samples, recommender contacts, and secure financial and academic documentation through the online portal.

• At least two unedited audio/video samples
• Contact information for one academic and one music teacher for recommendations
• Copy of most recent tax forms (all schedules/W‑2s) and recent transcripts via secure upload
• No application fee

Timeline, Commitments, and Contact

Applicants must be prepared to commit fully to the Fellowship program if selected; the Award is conditional on that participation. High school seniors graduating in 2027 must apply by the program’s November deadline to be considered, and the Award can only be given to students still enrolled in high school or below. If your most recent tax return does not reflect your current financial situation, include a detailed statement in the application’s special financial circumstances section. For additional questions, consult the program FAQ first and contact the program at the email address below.

Application Timeline: Observe the November deadline for eligible seniors; ensure full eligibility and readiness to participate in the Fellowship.

• Recipients must be enrolled in K–12 at time of award
• Seniors graduating in 2027 must apply by the November deadline
• Include a detailed statement for any special financial circumstances
• Questions: check the FAQ first or email scholarship@fromthetop.org