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
*2026 Criteria and Application Link Coming Soon*
2026 Overture Awards
The Regional round of the competition will be held virtually through the Acceptd platform. The Semi-Final and Final rounds will take place in person at the Aronoff Center.
- Applications Open: September 16, 2025
- Applications Due: December 9, 2025
- Semifinalists Announced: January 16, 2026
- Semifinal Competitions at the Aronoff Center:
- Creative Writing: virtual adjudication, students do not report
- Dance: February 5, 2026
- Instrumental Music: February 10, 2026
- Theater: February 12, 2026
- Visual Art: February 4 portfolio drop off, February 6 portfolio pickup
- Vocal Music: February 11, 2026
- Finalists Announced: February 13, 2026
- Final Competition Rehearsal: March 13, 2026
- Final Competition and Awards Ceremony: March 14, 2026
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. Nominations are due January 25, 2026.
Do you have questions about the Overture Awards?
Visit the FAQ Page Email Us
Past Overture Awards Winners and Finalists
We would like to thank the following supporters of Dancing For the Stars and the Overture Awards:
Accent on Cincinnati, Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., Otto M. Budig Family Foundation, Punky’s Pixels, Summerfair Cincinnati, TriHealth, Ryan Anderson, Douglas Beal, Karla Boldery, James Branham, Bonita Brockert, Carri Chandler, Bill Chappie, Johnn Chu, Maura Garrucio, Desiree Mainous, Erin Mignano, Dylan Morton, Joszef Parragh, Stacy Sims, Josh Tilford, Lenny Tsorokean Chris & Janeen (of “Married with Microphones”), JD Hughes, Baru, Delightmore, eat well celebrations and feasts, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing Company, Kung Food AmerAsia, Moerlein Lager House, The Party Source, Pepsi, Prime Cincinnati, Sebastian Bakehouse, Skyline Chili, Street City Pub, Vintage, Willow Run Custom Bourbons