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RISING STARS 2025Showcasing Artistically Gifted & Talented Youth from Across the State!
What is Rising Stars?
For more than 16 years, RISING STARS has been recognized and embraced in South Carolina for highlighting Artistically Gifted and Talented students across the state. Originally created by arts educator and administrator Larry Barnfield, RISING STARS assembles a cast of students from a variety of classical arts disciplines for a showcase of talent. Students not only have an opportunity to share their artistic talents with a real audience, but are also invited to chat with the host to share their thoughts in creating the art they just shared on stage. A series of six programs, each program will feature 6 young artists and/or ensembles in a conversation and performance format.
This year, Rising Stars performances will take place at one of SC's most high profile performance opportunities that recognize exceptional artistic talent. The programs will be presented in Charleston during the 2025 Spoleto USA/Piccolo Spoleto Festival on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day weekend), Saturday, May 31, and Saturday, June 7.
New this year, students accepted to the Rising Stars program will be paired with a mentor who is a professional artist in their field. Students will have the opportunity to learn from our mentors on how to succeed in artistic practice through college and career opportunities.
This year's performances are with the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and will be at our favorite venue, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, just off of Marion Square in downtown Charleston!
ELIGIBILITY
IMPORTANT DATES
Questions? Contact Palmetto State Arts Education - jenny@palmettoartsed.org.
For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.
What is Rising Stars?
For more than 16 years, RISING STARS has been recognized and embraced in South Carolina for highlighting Artistically Gifted and Talented students across the state. Originally created by arts educator and administrator Larry Barnfield, RISING STARS assembles a cast of students from a variety of classical arts disciplines for a showcase of talent. Students not only have an opportunity to share their artistic talents with a real audience, but are also invited to chat with the host to share their thoughts in creating the art they just shared on stage. A series of six programs, each program will feature 6 young artists and/or ensembles in a conversation and performance format.
This year, Rising Stars performances will take place at one of SC's most high profile performance opportunities that recognize exceptional artistic talent. The programs will be presented in Charleston during the 2025 Spoleto USA/Piccolo Spoleto Festival on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day weekend), Saturday, May 31, and Saturday, June 7.
New this year, students accepted to the Rising Stars program will be paired with a mentor who is a professional artist in their field. Students will have the opportunity to learn from our mentors on how to succeed in artistic practice through college and career opportunities.
This year's performances are with the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and will be at our favorite venue, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, just off of Marion Square in downtown Charleston!
ELIGIBILITY
- The programs will feature students between the ages of 9 through 18 years of age who are not full-time college students who are residents of the Southeast US (South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida).
- Students who are gifted visual artists, actors, dancers, creative writers, solo musicians (instrumental and vocal)(classical preferred), and ensemble groups, of no more than 12 members (classical preferred), may apply.
- $35 per application
- Please reach out to the Acceptd Support team to request a fee waiver. If not approved, please contact jenny@palmettoartsed.org for further information.
IMPORTANT DATES
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January 1 - Applications Open
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March 14 - Application Deadline
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April 4 - Notification of Decisions
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April 11 - Deadline for Agreement to Perform
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Week of April 21 - Online Mentor Session
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Month of May - Online Rehearsal with Mentor
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May 26 - Series 1st Day of Performances
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May 31 - 2nd Day of Performances
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June 7 - Third Day of Performances
Questions? Contact Palmetto State Arts Education - jenny@palmettoartsed.org.
For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.