The Overture Awards
The Overture Awards is a program that recognizes and rewards excellence in the arts among Greater Cincinnati students in grades 9-12. Its mission is to encourage arts education as an integral part of a student’s academic experience and to create an environment that encourages training in, and appreciation of, the arts.
The Overture Awards Competition is the area’s largest solo arts competition and offers awards in six artistic disciplines:
- Creative writing
- Dance
- Instrumental Music
- Theater
- Visual Art
- Vocal Music
2025 Overture Awards Timeline
The Regional round of the competition will be held virtually through the Acceptd platform. The Semi-Final and Final rounds of the competition will take place in person at the Aronoff Center.
Learn more about the application process and discipline criteria
- Applications Open: September 6, 2024
- Application Deadline: December 10, 2024
- Semi-Finalists Notified: January 17, 2025
- Semi-Final Competition at the Aronoff Center
- Creative Writing: Virtual Adjudication
- Dance: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
- Instrumental Music: Saturday, February 8, 2025
- Theater: Saturday, February 8, 2025
- Visual Art: Portfolio Drop-Off February 6; Pick-Up February 8
- Vocal Music: Thursday, February 6, 2025
- Finalists Notified: February 10, 2025
- Finals Reaheasal at the Aronoff Center: March 14, 2025
- Finals Competition and Awards Ceremony: March 15, 2025
Arts Educator Award
The Arts Educator Award promotes and rewards excellence in arts instruction throughout Greater Cincinnati. Students nominate an educator through video submission that describes the impact the educator has had on his/her students. The winner will be announced at the Overture Awards Final Competition & Awards Ceremony. The winner of the 2024 award will receive $1,000, and two finalists will receive $500. Applications open September 6. Deadline: January 24, 2025.