Emerging Leader in TYA Fellowship

Who:  Emerging leaders – artists, educators, administrators, university faculty and students working or studying in the field of TYA (Applicants must be a current TYA/USA members to apply).

What:  The opportunity to travel domestically to connect with an inspiring mentor or organization, and see their work in practice. Fellows expand their leadership potential by engaging with individuals or organizations they admire across the TYA field.

How It Works:  Applicants submit a proposal for a research and discovery trip that will offer the opportunity to connect with an individual or organization whose work they admire. Proposals may include meetings with practitioners, observation of work in action or other possible activities.

Award:  TYA/USA will award (1) fellowship for domestic travel, research and discovery (up to $1,000). Complimentary registration for the 2020 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference (May 14-17, 2020).

Opportunity for Artists with Disabilities: This year, supported by a generous donation, we are expanding the emerging leader fellowship program with a dedicated spot for a candidate who identifies as an artist with a disability. (This particular opportunity is open to American or Canadian artists).

The Cole White Samuel Fellowship Fund supports an artist with a disability in the TYA/USA Emerging Leader Fellowship Program. Cole enjoyed going to the theatre so much but was limited to certain productions due to his disability. Through this opportunity, Cole’s memory can live on through the arts and support a person with a disability to discover their hopes and dreams. 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: 
We believe that the field of TYA, and the young people we serve, are profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our leadership and our differences in background, culture, experience, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, ability, and much more.

We have taken a multidimensional approach to addressing diversity, inclusion, and belonging across all areas of our programming. For our fellowship opportunities, we actively seek and welcome applications from people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and people at intersections of these identities, from across the spectrum of the field.