What is WAYAL?
The Washington Youth Arts Leadership (WAYAL) Program is an annual cohort of youth and young adults (ages 16-19) from across Washington State. WAYAL leaders work with the Arts in Education (AIE) team at ArtsWA to explore and amplify the role of arts engagement in their communities. Young artists build community among their peers, gain leadership and communication skills, and explore arts careers with mentors in the field. Youth leaders receive a stipend for their participation.
What will selected WAYAL cohort members do?
- Explore careers in the arts and cultural sector.
- Refine multimedia communication skills.
- Engage in activities as an artist and critical thinker.
- Gain understanding of the creative economy, arts funding and related policy.
- Build community among their artist peers across the state.
Meet the 2025-2026 WAYAL Cohort!

Lily Gray, Fox Island
Lily is a senior at Bellarmine Prep. She enjoys the art mediums of ink drawing, wax carving, and music production. In her down time, Lily avidly consumes books and movies. Her favorite authors are Isabel Allende and Noam Chomsky, while her favorite movie at the moment has to be Gangubai Kathiawadi!

Briseldy Hernandez-Ramos, East Wenatchee
Briseldy is a 19-year-old senior at the University of Washington on the pre-law track. Originally from East Wenatchee, WA, Briseldy is now a Seattle resident where she’s involved in over six cohorts, multiple political councils and holds a variety of leadership roles. Briseldy has been a writer since she first read time, focusing on creative nonfiction. Briseldy writes about immigrant injustices, stemming from her own, and continues pushing for social change!

Varshni Iyer, Woodinville
Varshni is 17 years old and a senior at Inglemoor High School. She has been training in Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, for 11 years and also plays the Carnatic violin. She has performed on several platforms such as IndianRaga and also teaches at her dance school. Varshni is extremely excited to be a part of WAYAL to share her passion for the arts and create positive change in the community.

Sophie Johnsen, Camas
Sophie, 18, is a student at the University of Washington pursuing degrees in astronomy and political science. As a poet, ceramicist, and aspiring novelist, she appreciates the role of art and language in shaping perspectives. Her work has been featured in Acumen Poetry, and she has served in leadership roles in her school district and city government where she has advocated for arts education. She’s excited to work with other young artists to inspire creative accessibility, diversity, and dialogue.

Mythri Kumaran, Issaquah
Mythri is a junior at Issaquah High School. She has been learning Bharatanatyam for 13 years now and is very passionate about dancing and teaching. She has performed/competed in many events in the Greater Seattle Area, and is the Seattle Regionals Natya Idol competition winner (2025, Intermediate). Mythri is also a passionate Carnatic vocalist and is currently working towards her senior level certification. She is very excited to become more involved in her community and the arts through WAYAL!

Brooklynn LaRosa, Spokane
Brooklynn is 16 years old and attends North Central High School as a junior. She enjoys being involved in the art in her community. She spent the previous year participating in programs in her school and at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. She continues this journey this year by taking the exciting opportunity to join the WAYAL program, to not only deepen her fascination with the arts but also connect her with her community and peers.

Sidra Marshall, Anacortes
Sidra, a 17-year-old junior at Anacortes High School, has been enamored by the arts from a young age. Through her passion for performing, literary, and visual arts, she aims to foster a deeper connection with others and fuel hope in the world. She created her nonprofit, Sooboo Bun, at seven-years-old and donates 50% of proceeds from the sales of her original artwork to refugees. She is thrilled to connect with other artists to cultivate a rich arts community with WAYAL.

Taiyo Oishi, Bothell
Taiyo is a senior at Inglemoor High School. He is a dedicated piano soloist and chamber musician, formerly part of the Seattle Chamber Music Academy. He has attended various programs like the Aspen International Music Festival and the Yellow Barn Young Artists Program. Taiyo is planning to pursue a double major in college and is excited to take part in arts leadership and learn more about the field!

Orlo Parkinson, Twisp
Orlo is a junior at Liberty Bell High School, located in the Methow Valley. Music and theater have played major roles in Orlo’s life, offering escape, entertainment, and opportunities. He has been actively involved in his community’s music and theater scene since he moved to the U.S. 4 years ago. Orlo is excited to connect with artists across Washington state and learn more about ways he can give back to the community that has shown him so much support.

Elliot Pixie-Plott, Twisp
Elliot is a 16-year-old sophomore at Liberty Bell High School and a resident of Twisp, Washington. He has always loved the arts and is an avid visual artist, painter, writer, and cellist. He wants to find ways to make a positive difference and bring people together through the arts. He looks forward to forming connections, using his passion for the arts to become a leader, and contributing to his community and the larger art community through WAYAL.

Rowan Santos, Auburn
Rowan Santos is a filmmaker, actor, and journalist dedicated to using creativity for social change. They portrayed young Alysia Yeoh in DC’s Batgirl and has contributed writing to The Seattle Times, Real Change, and TeenTix. Rowan’s work spans visual art, film, and storytelling, often centering LGBTQ+ and underrepresented voices. As a youth activist, ambassador, founder and Junior City Councilmember, Rowan continues to merge advocacy and art to inspire meaningful impact.

Viswajith Venugopal, Bothell
Vish is an 18-year-old student from Bothell with experience in game development, photography, drawing, and graphic design. He has studied at Bothell High School, DigiPen WANIC, Youth in Focus, and Cascadia College. He has served as an officer in his school’s Technology Student Association. He enjoys telling stories through art, working on new projects, and watching movies. He is excited to join WAYAL to learn more about arts education in Washington and make a difference.

Lucy Woods, Spokane
Lucy Woods is a senior at North Central High School and a longtime arts enthusiast! She loves sketching, writing poetry, and creating multimedia collages surrounding topics of queer identity and social justice. This year, she will serve as her school’s ASB secretary as well as an officer and member of many other clubs. She is thrilled to join the WAYAL commission to broaden her perspectives and make the arts community a more accepting place for everyone, no matter their background!

Olga Loktev
Spokane | WAYAL Alumni Intern
Olga is a dancer, choreographer, and a certified dance instructor. She began her training at a young age and is still pursuing her dance career. Olga is dancing and choreographing with Vytal Movement Dance company and is working towards receiving her higher education in Psychology and Communications from Eastern Washington University.
Explore WAYAL Calls to Action
Year 3: FY25 Call to Action
Year 2: FY24 Call to Action
Year 1: FY23 Call to Action
Who Can Apply?
Application or Nomination: Youth ages 16-19 (by September 2025) may apply directly to this program. Mentors, teachers or community members may also nominate a youth artist from their communities; once nominated, youth will be contacted to complete the entire application to be considered.
Eligibility: Applicants/nominated youth must be:
- Between the age of 16-19 (by start of cohort, September 2025).
- A Washington State resident.
- Living within the state of Washington throughout September 2025 – June 2026.
- Engaged in arts or cultural activities beyond school-related assignments.
- Interested in building leadership skills and working with youth across the state.
- Able to attend 9-12 afternoon online seminars (September – June); contribute to a collaborative project; and participate in at least 2 learning or leadership opportunities (in-person or online) outside of seminar time.
How Does ArtsWA Select WAYAL Members?
Evaluation and Scoring Panel
A panel of artists and educators evaluate eligible applications to the WA Youth Arts Leadership (WAYAL) Program. Panelists use scoring criteria to give a numerical score to each application. An application’s final score is the combined average of all panelists’ scores. Top scoring applications from each ArtsWA-defined region are selected for the WAYAL program. Panelists will assign each application a score between 1 – 35 using the evaluation and point system below. 35 points is the highest possible score for this application.
1. Artistic Practice (15 points possible)
- Description of artist work sample
- Engagement with art making/creative practices
- Interest in exploring creative careers
2. Interest Areas (10 points possible)
- Interest in exploring a variety of topics related to arts and culture
- Interest in joining the WAYAL Program
3. Self Reflection (10 points possible)
- a) Areas of Strength
- b) Areas for Improvement
What is needed to apply?
The online application has required sections including:
- Applicant Contact Information
- Community References
- Community Mentor
- Family or Peer Pers4.9.1onal Reference
- Work Sample:
- Include (1) work sample as a part of your application.
- Option 1: A photo (JPG), maximum (2) files; recommended for visual/media arts work sample.
- Option 2a: A single video (MP4) or audio (MP3) file at a maximum of (3) minutes; recommended for performing arts work sample.
- Option 2b: A single website link directly to a published video or audio file online, such as Vimeo, YouTube, or Spotify. Do not provide a link to a general website home page and do not provide a link to Google Drive, DropBox, or file-sharing sites. If your online video or audio sample is longer than 3 minutes, you’re welcome to tell us the timeframe you would like to have considered as a part of your application. For example: from 2:15 – 3:15.
- Option 3: A PDF or Word document with a maximum of (2) pages; recommended for literary work sample.
- Work samples should be related to your artistic discipline(s) chosen in your application. Work samples can include, but are not limited to, documentation of a performance or a presentation, a paper, poem, or script that you wrote, image and audio files, and examples of public engagement.
- File Upload: Maximum file size is 400MB for a single upload (and 800MB for your entire application). If your file is too big, contact kalei.matsui@arts.wa.gov at least by July 8 (48 hours), before the deadline to receive assistance in file conversion and file compression.
- Work samples that go beyond the limits stated below will not be reviewed:
- Video must be between 1 – 3 minutes in length
- Links to general websites/webpages or to file-sharing sites such as Google Drive, DropBox, or other file-sharing sites.
- PDF or Word files must be 1 – 2 pages
Apply in Submittable
Online application
Applicants must submit their application through the online grant platform, Submittable. ArtsWA will accept applications in Submittable starting April 14, 2025, through July 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Please see ArtsWA’s Submittable FAQ for additional information on using this platform.
Application tip:
- Saving: Save your WA Youth Arts Leadership (WAYAL) application form as you work on it by clicking the “Save Draft” button located at the end of this webpage. You can log out and log back in, take a break, or work on your application over several days without losing your information.
- Required Questions: Questions marked with a red asterisk ‘*’ must be completed before you submit your nomination. You will not be able to submit your application if any required questions have been left unanswered.
- Submitting: Once you have completed your application, click the “Submit” button at the end of the webpage. You will receive an automated email confirming that your application has been successfully submitted.
- Print or download a copy of your application form by navigating to your “Personal Submissions” account list. Click on your application submission. This will open the submission’s details page, where you can click the Download button in the upper right of the viewing box.
Questions?
Kalei Matsui, ArtsWA Arts in Education Program Coordinator, at 360-252-9987 or kalei.matsui@arts.wa.gov
Carina A. del Rosario, WAYAL Program Specialist, at 360.485.1222 or carina.delrosario@arts.wa.gov
Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort are now closed.
What will the selected WAYAL cohort do?
- Explore careers in the arts and cultural sector.
- Refine multimedia communication skills.
- Engage in activities as an artist and critical thinker.
- Gain understanding of the creative economy, arts funding and related policy.
- Build community among their artist peers across the state.
Important dates
- Application & Nomination Opens: April 15, 2024
- Application Deadline: July 11, 2024, at 5:00pm
- Notification to WAYAL cohort members: September 6, 2024
- Cohort virtual retreat: October date TBD (2 hours)
- WAYAL Program: October 2024 – May 2025
Who Can Apply?
Application or Nomination: Youth ages 16-19 (by October 2025) may apply directly to this program. Mentors, teachers or community members may also nominate a youth artist from their communities; once nominated, youth will be contacted to complete the entire application in order to be considered.
Eligibility: Applicants/nominated youth must be:
- Between the age of 16-19 (by start of cohort, October 1, 2024).
- A Washington State resident.
- Living within the state of Washington throughout October 2024 – May 2025.
- Engaged in arts or cultural activities beyond school-related assignments.
- Interested in building leadership skills and working with youth across the state.
- Able to attend 9-12 afternoon online seminars (October – May); contribute to a collaborative project; and participate in at least 2 learning or leadership opportunities (in-person or online) outside of seminar time.
How Does ArtsWA Select WAYAL Members?
Evaluation and Scoring Panel
A panel of artists and educators evaluate eligible applications to the WA Youth Arts Leadership (WAYAL) Program. Panelists use scoring criteria to give a numerical score to each application. An application’s final score is the combined average of all panelists’ scores. Top scoring applications from each ArtsWA-defined region are selected for the WAYAL program. Panelists will assign each application a score between 1 -30 using the evaluation and point system below. 30 points is the highest possible score for this application.
- Artistic Practice(10 points possible)
a) Engagement with art making/creative practices
b) Artist Work Sample
- Artistic Aspirations(10 points possible)
a) Interest in exploring creative careers
b) Interest in joining the WAYAL Program
- Community Engagement(10 points possible)
a) Interest in amplifying youth voice/input in art spaces and policies
b) Experience with working collaboratively on projects
Questions?
- Kalei Matsui, ArtsWA Arts in Education Program Coordinator, at 360-252-9987 or kalei.matsui@arts.wa.gov
- Carina A. del Rosario, WAYAL Program Specialist, at 360.485.1222 or carina.delrosario@arts.wa.gov