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, theater, visual art, and vocal music.
2024 Overture Awards Timeline
For the 2024 competition, the Regionals round will take place virtually and students will submit their applications through the Accepted platform. Semi-Finals and Finals will take place in-person at the Aronoff Center.
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Applications Open: September 19, 2023
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Submission Deadline: December 13, 2023
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Semi-Finalists Notified: January 12, 2024
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Semi-Finals Competition: February 1-3, 2024 at the Aronoff Center, times TBA
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Creative Writing: adjudicated virtually, students do not report
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Dance: February 1, 2024
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Instrumental Music: February 3, 2024
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Theater: February 3, 2024
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Visual Art: Artwork drop-off TBA
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Vocal Music: February 3, 2024
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Finalists Notified: February 5, 2024
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Overture Awards Rehearsal: March 15, 2024 at the Aronoff Center
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Overture Awards Final Competition: March 16, 2024 at the Aronoff Center
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 2024 award will receive $1,000, and two finalists will receive $500. Applications open September 19. Deadline: January 26, 2024.