Matthew Yu, junior and member of the Academy of Science and Technology at College Park, has been selected as a 2024 YoungArts winner with distinction in Visual Arts.

“For the Visual Arts discipline, the application was a 10 artwork portfolio, along with several essays explaining the processes and meaning behind the artworks”, said Yu.

Students from across the country are selected for the program through a rigorous application process by a panel skilled in the applicant’s discipline.

“I heard about the program when I saw a video of Timothee Chalamet’s YoungArts performance on YouTube who won in Theatre in 2013,” said Yu.

Winners got to spend the week in Miami, where they participated in workshops, shared their work, and learned from professionals at the top of their crafts.

“I’m most excited to meet the other artists because they are also at the peak level of their respective crafts,” said Yu.

The winners include students specialized in many disciplines, including dance, classical music, jazz, voice, dance, theater, film, design, visual arts, photography, and writing.

“I’m mostly interested in mixed media art and urban sketching (the practice of drawing on location in cities),” said Yu. 

Yu is eligible to be nominated by YoungArts for one of 20 spots as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Additionally, Yu has a chance to win up to $10,000 at YoungArts week. 

“We’re honored to recognize and encourage these artists at this critical stage in their careers, and we’re looking forward to playing an active, ongoing role in what will no doubt be an incredible artistic journey for each of them,” said YoungArts President Clive Chang.

YoungArts winners with distinction are eligible for microgrants, financial awards, and exclusive development opportunities. Winners also gain access to an exclusive and private online platform that allows them to connect with other artists. Finally, winners are able to attend an all-expenses paid intensives called YoungArts Labs, in Los Angeles and New York. YoungArts helps young artists to further their craft and achieve their artistic dreams.

“One of my goals is to have my works in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC”, said Yu.

Everyone wishes Yu the best of luck achieving his dreams as a representative of Conroe ISD.