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.
WAYAL Partners:
ArtsWA partners with TeenTix and youth leaders to design, implement, and refine the WAYAL program. TeenTix is a Seattle based Arts Access and Youth Empowerment organization. With a mission to equip and empower teens to be an active role in their local Arts and Culture communities, TeenTix connects young people to events that matter to them and their peers through their free Pass Program, weekly recommendations, and creative workforce training.
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.
Important Dates:
- Application & Nomination Opens: April 14, 2025
- Application Deadline: July 10, 2025, at 5:00pm
- Notification to selected WAYAL cohort members: August 1, 2025
- WAYAL cohort members Acceptance deadline: August 18, 2025
- WAYAL Program: September 15, 2025 – June 2026
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
Meet the 2024-2025 WAYAL Cohort!
Achintya Agrawal
Redmond
Achintya is a senior at Tesla STEM High School and is thrilled to be a part of the WAYAL program. As a student of Indian Classical Music on the traditional bamboo flute, he truly recognizes the power of music in empowering self expression and cultivating self reflection. He is super excited to learn more about other artists in his community, and even more excited to share his love for art and culture with others.
Sunni Baker
Spokane
“Sunni” is a seventeen-year-old high school senior attending an art-based school in Spokane, Washington. They focus artistically on musical writing, visual arts, and theatrical stage work. They were elected as senior class president, part of Outdoor Leadership Academy (OLA,) Technical Director for their after-school Theatre program, and one of two student representatives on the school board. They are beyond thrilled to be joining, due to their passion for art and knack for helping people.
Alex Bedell
Spokane
Alex is currently a senior at Innovation. They enjoy working on set design for their school’s theatre. He is excited to join local artists in community projects. They hope to play a bigger role in their community through this program.
Annabelle Betts
Yakima
Annabelle is a junior at Eisenhower High School in Yakima, Washington. Her main creative focus areas are visual storytelling, illustration, collage, mixed media, and written storytelling. She is a newly inducted member of her high school’s NHS chapter and is excited to use NHS and the WAYAL program to make a difference and open herself to new experiences. She is most excited to connect with other artists from all over the state!
Jayden Chae
Bothell
Jayden is 16 years old and is a junior at Inglemoor High School. Music has always been a part of his life and his passion is creating and performing music with the viola. Jayden expresses his interest in the arts by participating in programs like the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Seattle Chamber Music Society Academy. Jayden is thrilled to be a part of the WAYAL program this year and hopes to spread his passion and love for music!
TaeZhanae Hays-Cormier
Spokane
TaeZhanae is a senior at John R. Rogers High School, where they have been a dedicated member of the RHS Drama Board for three years and serve as a captain of the EXIT improv team. She plans to pursue a BFA in performance production after they graduate. As a queer, neurodivergent person of color, she is passionate about making the arts more accessible and celebrating the joy of communities coming together to make something beautiful!
Olga Loktev
Spokane
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.
Afra Mirza
Seattle
Afra is a 17-year-old artist from Seattle, engaged in painting, ceramics, and photography! She is the founder of Kainaat, a gallery dedicated to sharing stories and promoting cultural diversity through art. Afra has played a key role in advancing racial equity within her school by serving in the Student Racial Equity Team and the Muslim Student Association. She is excited to join WAYAL, eager to expand her leadership in the arts and inspire change in her community!
Soleil Olivera Hernández
Pasco
Soleil (So-lay) is a junior at Chiawana High School. Her curiosity has pushed her to explore all sorts of art mediums and discover a particular interest in fresco inspired composition. She stays involved in her community year-round as a member of multiple committees and being selected to have her art featured throughout Tri-Cities. She is honored to collaborate with fellow artists across the state to engage the youth in communities by using artistic outlets for self-expression.
Jasper Rhodes
Arlington
Jasper is a queer poet, artist, and advocate for his community. This year he is going to be a Junior at Scriber Lake High School, where he will serve on the student advisory committee. Jasper was selected to be a finalist in this year’s WeSpeak competition and performed his poem on stage at the Edmonds Center For The Arts. Identity, relationships, and processing grief are important themes in his art. Jasper is excited to participate in the opportunities WAYAL provides.
Dhaya Sarathy
Sammamish
Dhaya is a senior at Eastlake High School. She has danced Bharatanatyam for over 9 years, teaching and performing for several events such as the World Dance Festival in Athens. She’s also trained in Carnatic vocal for over 12 years and plays the bassoon and tenor saxophone as part of her school band. She is beyond excited to join the WAYAL 2024-2025 Cohort for the chance to broaden her experiences, meet like-minded teens and give back to the arts community!
Grace Thykkuttathil
Federal Way
Grace is an 18-year-old African American, queer, mixed media artist. They are a current UW Seattle student and are heavily engaged in on campus activities. They are focused on encouraging experimental art forms and representations for queer and POC groups in the fine arts space. In addition to art they love reading, trying new foods, and a good trip to the thrift store. They are excited to help make the creative space a more accessible place for everyone.
WAYAL Partners:
ArtsWA partners with TeenTix and youth leaders to design, implement, and refine the WAYAL program. TeenTix is a Seattle based Arts Access and Youth Empowerment organization. With a mission to equip and empower teens to be an active role in their local Arts and Culture communities, TeenTix connects young people to events that matter to them and their peers through their free Pass Program, weekly recommendations, and creative workforce training.
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