Seattle native named YoungArts ‘Winner with Distinction’

Eighteen-year-old Seattle native, Wyatt Silva, has been named a 2025 YoungArts “Winner with Distinction” in the discipline of voice: singer/songwriter.

“Winner with Distinction” is the highest honor awarded by the national foundation. Silva was also an award winner in an additional category of voice: popular. 

Silva has been recognized for the caliber of his artistic achievement among some of the most accomplished young visual, literary, and performing artists from throughout the country. YoungArts award winners are selected through a highly competitive application, which is reviewed by panels of esteemed artists in a rigorous adjudication process. 

All YoungArts award winners have demonstrated exceptional technique, a strong sense of artistry, and commitment to developing their craft. 

This year, close to 800 winners were selected from nearly 11,000 applications across 10 artistic disciplines; of the winners, 169 received “with distinction.” All YoungArts winners receive a monetary award of $250. 

As a winner with distinction, Silva will participate in the all-expenses-paid National YoungArts Week, held Jan. 5-12 in Miami, Fla. 

During the week, participants share their work; experience interdisciplinary classes and workshops; and receive mentorship from leading artists in their fields. Additionally, winners with distinction receive monetary awards between $1,000-$10,000. 

2025 YoungArts winners are also eligible to participate in YoungArts Labs, all-expenses-paid learning intensives with field-defining artists in Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville. 

For the duration of his career, Silva is eligible for exclusive creative and professional development support, microgrants and financial awards, and presentation opportunities in collaboration with major venues and cultural partners nationwide. 

As a YoungArts award winner, Silva joins a group of accomplished artists such as Jon Batiste, Camille A. Brown, Timothée Chalamet, Viola Davis, Amanda Gorman, Denyce Graves, Hunter Schafer, and Vince Gilligan. 

The YoungArts competition is open to artists 15-18 years old (or in grades 10-12). 

For information, visit https://youngarts.org/competition/.