I’m quite certain that at this point all finalists have been called. Their notifications this week are probably just for those that they couldn’t reach/those they need to confirm. If you look on their website, it says that week 6 is to confirm finalists - I’m pretty sure that’s all they’re doing now 
That’s not true. I called today and asked should I lose hope on being a finalist and they said no because they are still notifying finalist. Keep hope alive people.
Visual art finalists are way to introverted lol none of them post online.
@onepiecefreak16 that’s very not true, I know at least 2 this year who’ve posted online
@wistfulwords Huh I guess I just havent seen them then
Today is the final day guys. GL to all!!
@Bubbleshrimp oh, that’s good to know! So there’s a bit of hope left then.
At this point, it’s safe to say it’s officially over now. Right?
Yep, I think it’s formally over according to the timeframe @shysquid gave us from their call!
Finalist or not, huge congrats to everyone for just submitting and we’ll all keep our fingers crossed for an HM or Merit award. If anyone gets an HM or Merit email, please let us know so we know that process has started.
Also, I was scrolling through the competition FAQs earlier and I saw a big change under the question “How are attendees chosen?” with regards to regional programs. This is what it says on the website:
“Eligible winners who submit their request to attend a program are added to a waitlist based on their specific geographic region. Acceptance into a regional program is determined by the winner’s discipline/category and then via lottery selection.”
I think they’re doing the lottery system this year so that the whole thing last year (if you read last year’s thread) where people couldn’t reserve their spot fast enough since they got emails at different times or it went to junk mail won’t happen again.
Do you think they’ll start sending out emails tomorrow or next week?
Can anyone explain the regional and what happens. Do you have to fly out for it? I live near Chicago so Idk which one that is closest for my location.
This is from the website.
REGIONAL PROGRAMS
Modeled on the transformative experience of its annual signature program, National YoungArts Week, regional programs are currently offered in Miami, New York and Los Angeles. These programs expose audiences to emerging artists from the community and allow participants to take master classes with world-renowned artists and showcase their work through performances, exhibitions, and readings at some of the most prestigious arts institutions in the country.
I believe Chicago would be the NY one. If you get a Merit or Honorable Mention email, respond IMMEDIATELY (click on link) to express interest because they only take a small number of winners so you have to act fast. I can’t stress that enough! I believe Merit and HM have an equal chance of getting in, depending on how fast you respond, but they may seek a certain number in each category so there are limits. If you express interest, you get to enjoy another waiting game to see if you are chosen for the Regional. If you are, a travel agent will reach out to you to arrange your free travel, which includes airfare, transportation to hotel and hotel stay. I can’t tell you what an amazing experience this was for my daughter last year. She was so overwhelmed at first, witnessing all the talent around her. You can’t choose your roommate so they will pair you with another discipline. She was pop voice and was paired with a film winner who promised to film a future music video for her-they got along great and still keep in touch. Expect to work hard and non-stop throughout the week, very little down time. At the end of the week, student talent is showcased. Not sure how they spotlight the writers, but there was an art and film gala night for those artists and 2 big concerts for the musicians (Classical and Jazz/Pop were on 2 different days.) Everyone bonded so quickly and became really close in such a short time so expect lots of tears at the end. I hope that explains the Regional Week but feel free to ask any other questions and I’ll try to help.
I think we can all safely switch from finalist call stress to HM/Merit email stress. I have no idea if emails will begin to go out today, tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday but hopefully sooner than later. I think the emails were delivered over one, possibly two, days last year (so everyone gets an equal chance to respond to Regionals) so not as long of a wait to know your fate. Don’t get too excited if you get a “congrats” email from a college or agency who acquired the names of those who applied to YoungArts. This happened last year (for both winners and non-winners) and got a bunch of hopes up only to be deflated quickly.
Hang in there everyone and good luck!
So this trip is all expense paid trip for your daughter. She couldn’t bring a plus one with? And @AmyIzzy Thank you soo much for the clarification. It seemed like a very enriching experience.
And please check your Spam folders! My son won a merit award last year and more than 24 hours had passed before he saw it and clicked on the link for the NY regional program at which time it was too late and he did not get to attend.
@anarthoe
Yes, all expenses paid. My husband, son & I went for a few days so we could see the final show (drove from Buffalo) but we were on our own for travel/hotel. You can arrange air travel with your child but you have to take care of it on your own. They won’t even let you take the shuttle with your child. If you plan to accompany your child, just don’t expect to see them much. We stayed in a hotel right across the street from her hotel but never saw her. She did try to call every night but she was exhausted!
@AmyIzzy lol I’m from Buffalo as well, I’m 99% sure your daughter and I have mutual friends. She’s insanely talented, I loved her regional performance
@iamaninja02
Lol-what a small world! Thank you for those kind compliments! We are really proud of her. So you applied to a music category? Good luck & Go Bills ??
I had no idea there was a regional program for hm/merit. Thanks for the info!