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
- Vocal Music
2027 Competition Timeline:
The regional round will be held virtually through the Acceptd platform. The final round will take place in person at the Aronoff Center with a live audience.
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Applications Open: October 2, 2026
- Applications Due: December 17, 2026
- Finalists Announced: February 5, 2027
- Final Competition Rehearsal: March 12, 2027
- Final Competition and Awards Ceremony: March 13, 2027
(please note that the 2027 competition will not include a semi-finals round)
Competition Awards
For the 2027 competition, students will win $4,000 (one awarded in each discipline) or a $1,500 finalist award (a total of 18 awarded).
Apply to the Overture Awards
Click the link below to access the Acceptd platform, where you can review competition eligibility requirements, discipline-specific criteria, and begin your application.
Past Overture Awards Winners and Finalists
We would like to thank the following supporters of Dancing For the Stars and the Overture Awards:
Scholarship Sponsors
Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust; Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.;
Otto M. Budig Family Foundation; Summerfair Cincinnati; TriHealth
Program Sponsors
Accent on Cincinnati; Arthur Murray- Cincinnati; Arthur Murray – Dayton;
Arthur Murray – West Chester; Designer Items and More Boutique; Alex Beach;
James Branham; Bonita Brockert; Nicholas Dunigan; Dr. Mona Foad; Harlan Graphics; Felisa Insignares; Desiree Mainous; Meeka Owens; Jozsef Parragh; Pepsi; Punky’s Pixels; Alyenendrov Tsorokean; Melissa Vaughn; Robert Warfel; Douglas Beal; Doreen Beatrice; Karla Boldery; Janeen Coyle; Chris O’Brien; J.D. Hughes; Pam Kravetz