The Overture Awards
The Overture Awards is a program that recognizes and rewards excellence in the arts among Greater Cincinnati students in grades 9-12. Its mission is to encourage arts education as an integral part of a student’s academic experience and to create an environment that encourages training in, and appreciation of, the arts. The Overture Awards Competition is the area’s largest solo arts competition and offers awards in six artistic disciplines: creative writing, dance, instrumental music, theatre, visual art, and vocal music.
2023 Competition
- The Overture Awards Competition will continue as an online submission and review competition for the Regional and Semi-Final Stages. The Final Competition & Awards Ceremony will be held live and in-person at the Aronoff Center on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
- Students will win $3,000 (one awarded in each discipline) or a $1,000 finalist award (a total of 18 awarded).
Applying to the Overture Awards
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! For information about the application process, discipline criteria, and more, follow the link below.
Visit the Application Portal
2023 Overture Awards Timeline
-
Applications Open: September 19, 2022
-
Submission Deadline: December 13, 2022
-
Semi-Finalists Notified: January 17, 2023
-
Finalists Notified: February 21, 2023
-
Overture Awards Rehearsal: March 24, 2023
-
Overture Awards Finals: March 25, 2023
Arts Educator Award
The Arts Educator Award promotes and rewards excellence in arts instruction throughout Greater Cincinnati. Students nominate an educator through video submission that describes the impact the educator has had on his/her students. The winner will be announced at the Overture Awards Final Competition & Awards Ceremony. The winner of the 2023 award will receive $1,000, and two finalists will receive $500. Applications open September 19. Deadline: January 27, 2023.