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Madison Meadows (Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts) was recently named a YoungArts Winner selected from thousands of applications. Meadows has been recognized for her outstanding artistic achievements and joins 710 of the nation’s most promising young artists from 44 states across visual, literary, design and performing arts. (Photo: Vernon Bryant)

Meadows Joins 710 Outstanding Teenage Artists from 44 States Across the Nation and will Receive Cash Awards, Mentorship and Professional Development Opportunities

Madison Meadows, a senior from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, has been named a 2019 National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) Honorable Mention winner in Theatre.  Selected from thousands of applications, Meadows has been recognized for her outstanding artistic achievements and joins 710 of the nation’s most promising young artists from 44 states across visual, literary, design and performing arts. Winners receive cash awards of up to $10,000, opportunities to participate in YoungArts programs nationwide and engage with renowned mentors, and guidance in taking important steps toward achieving their artistic goals. A complete list of the 2019 winners, all 15–18 years old or in grades 10–12, is available online at youngarts.org/winners.

“On behalf of YoungArts, I want to congratulate all of the 2019 winners for their achievements at such an early stage in their careers,” said Sarah Arison, YoungArts Board Chair. “We believe that every artist should be empowered to pursue a life in the arts, and we are excited to welcome our winners to the YoungArts family. This is just the beginning and we look forward to helping provide them with the valuable opportunities and support they will need to thrive throughout their artistic journeys.”

Meadows will receive a cash prize of up to $10,000; is eligible to participate in YoungArts’ regional programs, including YoungArts Miami (February 19–24, 2019), YoungArts Los Angeles (March 26–31, 2019) and YoungArts New York (April 23–28, 2019), and will joina professional network of distinguished artists.

Throughout the year, Meadows will be offered opportunities to share her work with the public at renowned institutions such asthe John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), Baryshnikov Arts Center (New York) and New World Center (Miami); and access to mentors including Tony Award winner Joan Lader; Grammy Award-winning percussionist Joseph Gramley; Academy Award-winning film editor Doug Blush; Obie Award-winning theater artists Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz; award-winning journalist, author and provocative cultural critic Joan Morgan; poet John Murillo; opera singers Daniela Mack and Alek Shrader; US Artist Fellow and Princess Grace award-winning choreographer Rosie Herrera; bestselling author Kristen Simmons; and award-winning photographer Lori Hepner, among many others.

“I’m honored to have been selected as a YoungArts Winner,” said Meadows.  “I’m very grateful to the faculty and staff at Booker T. for their support and I’m looking forward to the opportunities ahead through YoungArts.”   

Selected through a blind adjudication process conducted by an independent panel of highly accomplished artists, the 2019 winners represent the top 10 percent of applications. Of this year’s 710 winners, some have been awarded for excellence in multiple disciplines at various levels.  Altogether, 725 awards have been attributed: 163 have been named Finalists, the organization’s highest honor; 268 are Honorable Mentions and 294 are Merit winners.

Alumni Programming 
Meadows will join a growing alumni network of more than 20,000 artists and will receive access to additional professional and artistic development, and presentation opportunities. Alumni programs include the new Up Next career development symposia in Los Angeles and New York, exhibitions curated by renowned artists such as Derrick Adams, and interdisciplinary residency programs in Miami. 


Support
YoungArts Week is supported by the YoungArts National Premier Partner Carnival Foundation; the YoungArts Week Performance Partner SunTrust; the Design Arts Discipline Partner, Arquitectonica; the Visual Arts Discipline Partner, Related Group; Jay Franke and David Herro, Sandra and Tony Tamer; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, The Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners and the Miami-Dade Tourist Development Council; Wells Fargo; The City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council; Miami Downtown Development Authority; and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

About the National YoungArts Foundation
The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) was established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison to identify and nurture the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts, and assist them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development. Through a wide range of annual programs, regular performances, and partnerships with some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions, YoungArts aspires to create a strong community of alumni and a platform for a lifetime of encouragement, opportunity and support.???

YoungArts’ signature program is an application-based award for emerging artists ages 15–18 or in grades 10–12 from across the United States. Selected through a blind adjudication process, YoungArts winners receive valuable support, including financial awards of up to $10,000, professional development and educational experiences working with renowned mentors—such as Debbie Allen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rebecca Walker, Frank Gehry, Jeff Koons, Wynton Marsalis, Salman Rushdie and Carrie Mae Weems—and performance and exhibition opportunities at some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), The Museum of Modern Art (New York) and New World Center (Miami). Additionally, YoungArts winners are eligible for nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students who exemplify academic and artistic excellence.?

YoungArts winners become part of a thousands-strong alumni network of artists, which offers them additional professional opportunities throughout their careers. YoungArts alumni who have gone on to become leading professionals in their fields include actresses Viola Davis, Anna Gunn, Zuzanna Szadkowski and Kerry Washington; Broadway stars Raúl Esparza, Billy Porter, Andrew Rannells and Tony Yazbeck; recording artists Josh Groban, Judith Hill and Chris Young; Metropolitan Opera star Eric Owens; musicians Terence Blanchard, Gerald Clayton, Jennifer Koh and Elizabeth Roe; choreographers Camille A. Brown and Desmond Richardson; visual artists Daniel Arsham and Hernan Bas; internationally acclaimed multimedia artist Doug Aitken; New York Times bestselling author Sam Lipsyte; and Academy Award winners Doug Blush and Tarell Alvin McCraney.

For more information, visit youngarts.org, Facebook or Twitter.
To watch a brief video about YoungArts, click here.

 

 

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Family cabins at the Big Cedar Lodge make ideal accommodations for a fall getaway or a Thanksgiving vacation.

Now that I’ve placed an order for my first pumpkin spiced latte of the season (extra hot, no foam), autumn has officially arrived!

The beginning of the autumn also signals time to start planning a cozy rustic getaway to our family’s favorite fall destination – Big Cedar Lodge, one of America’s premier wilderness resorts  just 10 miles south of Branson, Missouri.

The travel industry also agrees with our go-to getaway choice, because Big Cedar Lodge was just named the No. 1 Midwest Resort in Travel + Leisure’s 2017 World’s Best Awards for the second year in a row!

Although this gem of a property is off the beaten track, it’s an easy 5-hour drive from Oklahoma City on I-44 East. Several major airlines also serve Branson Airport, which is 8 miles away from the famed entertainment district.

We discovered the fall months were perfect for a trip to the Ozarks to enjoy the pleasures of the lake and mountain living at this Bass Pro Shops resort.  It also made the perfect destination for one of our family’s most memorable Thanksgiving celebrations.

 That’s because Missouri’s ruggedly serene Ozark Mountains, overlooking the sparkling 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake, makes a tranquil backdrop for a special fall retreat.

It’s an ideal place for reconnecting your family to the outdoors this season, especially when planning a visit while the kids are out of school during fall break, Columbus Day and Thanksgiving week.

At the Big Cedar Lodge we found ourselves surrounded by vibrant foliage, scenic vistas and refreshing mountain air. Plus, visitors enjoy all the creature comforts of a world-class resort with a collection of grand lodges and cottages.

Since my crew is more of an outdoorsy lot, we prefer the country chic log cabins with mom-friendly amenities like rustic-elegant furnishings, spa-like bathrooms with luxury soaking tubs, decks with grills and jaw-dropping wood-burning fireplaces.

The resort also offers four restaurants, an alluring spa measuring 18,000 square feet, five swimming pools, more than 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, over 20 breathtaking wedding venues, and dynamic land and water adventures, including hiking, bass fishing, water skiing, and much more.

Although there’s an array of opportunities to create your own fall fun at Big Cedar Lodge, here are some of our favorites.

Fun Halloween, Thanksgiving and Fall Experiences at Big Cedar Lodge:

  • Just in time for Halloween is the first-ever "Haunted Lost Caverns" which made its debut this month at Big Cedar Lodge.  It runs now through Oct. 31 and features the most spine-tingling and immersive haunted Halloween experience to unfold in this amazing resort setting. The Top of the Rock cliff top outpost will be transformed into a spooktacularly ghoulish graveyard and haunted cave experience called Haunted Lost Caverns.  This thrilling Halloween adventure features more than 100 animatronic displays, historical haunts and fun surprises along a bone chilling ride through a 4-story cave with a waterfall.  This adventure runs now through Oct. 31 and is perfect for ghouls and goblins ages 13 and up.
  • Follow my family’s lead and enjoy an unforgettable Thanksgiving at one of the resort’s restaurants.  Arnie’s Barn, Osage Restaurant, Buffalo Bar, Devil’s Pool Restaurant and the Worman House will all offer Thanksgiving buffets. But if you don’t want to leave your lodge or cottage, Big Cedar has got you covered.  They will serve a full meal through In-room Dining called Turkey Baskets.  It’s a whole turkey will all the trimmings.
  • Check out Fun Mountain, a new 50,000 square foot indoor adventure wonderland for the young and young at heart. Fun Mountain an array of activities including Underwater Ocean Bowling, Bumper Cars, Wilderness Fort Laser Tag, Golf Simulator, High-Tech Climbing Wall and more.
  • Create your own adventure – from fishing, archery and 3 world-class golf courses to s’mores around a campfire, sunset dinner cruises on a vintage yacht and serenades from the Singin’ Cowboy.
  • Capture Instagram-worthy sunsets overlooking the lake and hills at the resort’s iconic cliff top outpost, Top of Rock, and an unforgettable two-and-a-half mile ride in an electric cart along the Top of the Rock Lost Canyon Nature Trail that winds through hand-built Amish bridges, dramatic natural rock formations and stunning waterfalls.
  • Hit the links at the Mountain Top Course by Gary Player. This course brings a more accessible experience to families, juniors and golfers who are learning the game. The course routes through unforgettable rock formations and includes some of the best vistas in the region, while delivering a rewarding experience for all skill levels.
  • Take a hike: Outdoor lovers can follow along the trails on the property to enjoy the vibrant fall leaves. You’ll enjoy the rustic harvest décor, all nestled across the resort’s serene wooded hollow overlooking Table Rock Lake.  It’s a great backdrop to get family photos for your Christmas cards.