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WHAT IS AN ARTIST OF THE YEAR?

An Artist of the Year is an outstanding high school junior or senior in Orange County, nominated by their school's arts teachers or private instructors. These students don’t just show talent and technique. They are blossoming into artists—curious, driven, and brave enough to explore new ideas and challenge themselves. 

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While we recognize and celebrate skill, we're especially drawn to unique artistic voices who show imagination and meaningful exploration. Equally important are growth and purpose. We value artists who evolve, push their boundaries, and create with impact. And above all, we look for that spark, the undefinable quality that makes you root for them. It shines through in their work and in the way they speak about what they do.

 

Our judges begin with basic scoring, but the magic happens in discussion. They dive into learning about each student as a whole artist and collectively decide who truly stands out.

What specifically do we look for when we choose Artists of the Year?  When we consider artistry, we focus on these four areas:

TALENT & TECHNIQUE

  • The artist demonstrates talent.

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  • The artist's talents have been developed through training which translates into strong technique.

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  • The artist shows complexity in their technique.

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  • The artist has aptitude in a variety of styles and abilities.

ARTISTIC VISION

  • The artist's unique vision and voice is expressed through their art form.

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  • The artist creates with a strong sense of imagination and creative expression in their art form.

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  • The artist explores ideas through their art form.

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  • The artist demonstrates an understanding of the intellectual content in their work created.

PURPOSE, GROWTH,

& IMPACT

  • The artist creates with a broader sense of purpose, seeking to express inner thoughts beyond the basic utility of their work.

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  • The artist demonstrates growth in their art form and has an understanding of their personal artistic growth.

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  • The artist seeks to impact others through their work.

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  • The artist has a sense of what they want to explore and contributes to the world via their art form.

HEART

the intangibles

  • There is something undefinable about the artists that makes you root for them.

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  • The artist is passionate about their art form.

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  • The artist has eloquence and insight when speaking about their art form.

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