Since 1978, the Young Artist Academy™ has produced Hollywood's 1st and longest-running youth awards, held in Los Angeles, CA. Affectionately called the "Youth Oscars" by the Huffington Post, the academy has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment, and is the only youth awards to be structured the same as major associations and guilds - with membership and peer voting.
For nearly half a century, the non-profit 501c3 organization has been dedicated to educating, protecting, and mentoring young artists, Founded by Golden Globes Executive Maureen Dragone, the Hollywood Foreign Press continues to support the The Young Artist Academy
www.goldenglobes.com/articles/young-artist-foundation-recognizes-young-and-talented
The Young Artist Academy provides unique experiences and opportunities, otherwise unavailable to young artists around the world:
• Academy Membership
• Peer Voting
• Ambassadorship
• Industry Introductions
• Networking Events
• Press Training
• Protection/Parent Education
• Scholarship Acting Fund
In many ways the organization has set standards and proved an example for other guilds to imitate.
www.huffpost.com/entry/the-oscars-should-learn-f_b_9434706
The awards gala has been supported by many key individuals and organizations in recent years, including the Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTA LA, Actors Fund, Los Angelos Police Department, A Minor Consideration (Child Advocacy), US Congress, Mayor of Puerto Rico, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Canada, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jerry Mathers, Mayim Bialik, Eric Roberts, Alan Tudyk, Lou Ferrigno, Danny Glover, plus attendees from over 20 countries.
Young Artist Academy YOUTUBE Channel
The Young Artist Academy recognizes exceptional international talent ages 5-18, each competing in separate Young and Teen categories for fairness. The academy also recognizes adult talent and alumni by bestowing special merit awards to those who have made a world impact on entertainment, and especially on a younger generation in entertainment. In recent years new categories of recognition have become available such as Director, Writer, Producer, Music/Video, and Influencer.
For over 40+ years the organization has honored a multitude of international artists who have gone on to successful adult careers, becoming household names in the entertainment industry. Some notable examples include:
Leonardo DiCaprio
Jennifer Lawrence
Ryan Reynolds
Regina King
Julia Roberts
Drake
Johnny Depp
Christian Bale
Natalie Portman
Neil Patrick Harris
Scarlett Johansson
Selena Gomez
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Zendaya
Lisa Bonet
Sarah Jessica Parker
Drew Barrymore
Winona Ryder
Mario Lopez
Michelle Pfeiffer
Jaden Smith
Emma Watson
Michelle Williams
Zac Effron
Tatyana Ali
John Stamos
Reese Witherspoon
Jody Foster
Patrick Dempsey
Katherine Heigel
Mila Kunis
Kaley Cuoco
Joaquin Phoenix
Johnny Galecki
Yara Shahidi
Kirsten Dunst
Hilary Duff
Hayden Panettiere
Jake Gyllenhall
Emmy Rossum
Megan Fox
Saoirse Ronan
Emma Roberts
Miley Cyrus
Demi Lovato
Shailene Woodley
Ariel Winter
Quvenzhané Wallis
Ke Huy Quan
Jamie Bell
Brie Larson
Elle Fanning
Hillary Swank