The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA), a not-for-profit organization that identifies emerging artists and assists them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development, has announced the first youngARTS™ Colorado Regional Awards.

Fifty of Colorado's finest young artists will be honored with cash awards totaling $25,000 in a recognition ceremony May 15 at the Jones Theater in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts complex. Colorado philanthropists Judi and Bob Newman will host the event.

Local winners include:

Krysta Parr of Centennial
$300 winner in Visual Arts
Arapahoe High School

Meredith Sczekan of Centennial
$300 winner in Soprano Voice
Cherry Creek High School

Johnathan Van Nest of Centennial
$300 winner in Visual Arts
Arapahoe High School

Mary Catherine Williamson of Centennial
$700 winner in Writing, Playwriting
Grandview High School

"Colorado has always held a significance presence in the national youngARTS program," said Dr. Newman, who serves as Vice Chairman on the NFAA Board of Trustees. "We are so proud to honor these extraordinary students right here in our own backyard, and equip them with the support they need to pursue their passion."

Dr. Newman and his wife, Judi - who is also an NFAA Trustee - have taken a leadership role in the creation of the youngARTS Colorado Regional Awards program. The evening will commence at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by special performances by several Colorado youngARTS winners, including Anna Katherine Barnett-Hart, 2003 youngARTS Winner in Violin, and Leah Watson and Julie Almeria, both 2007 youngARTS Winners in Theatre. The 50 honorees will then receive their cash awards. The event is free; however, advance reservations are required.

NFAA's national youngARTS program identifies and rewards exceptional student artists from across the U.S. in nine art disciplines: dance, film and video, classical, pop and jazz music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing. Each year, up to 160 finalists are invited to Miami for a week-long session of workshops, master classes, live adjudication and performances, and gives cash awards ranging from $500 to $10,000 apiece, for a total awards package of more than $500,000. NFAA is also the exclusive nominating body to the Commission on Presidential Scholars for the Presidential Scholar in the Arts designation, granted to just 20 students each year and offering additional recognition and scholarship opportunities.

For more information about the youngARTS Colorado Regional Awards ceremony, please contact Pilar Pava at (305) 377.1140 or Pilar@nfaa.org.

To learn more about NFAA, call 800-970-ARTS (2787) or visit www.youngARTS.org.