Announcing Uniquely U
Uniquely U applications are now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted — we are inspired.
Stay tuned to meet the 2026 Uniquely U recipients.
Calling all visual artists, performing artists, creative writers, and nature & sustainability enthusiasts!
- Are U an artist
- Do U live on Long Island or in NYC?
- Are U in kindergarten to grade 12 this school year?
Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts is kicking off the ninth year of our annual scholarship search — Uniquely U — and we want YOU to apply.
Uniquely U is a celebration of creativity and self-expression. Show us what makes you U, and you could be selected to receive a full 8-week scholarship including busing (valued at $9,200) to Usdan for the Summer 2026 season (June 29 to August 21). You could also be selected to receive a partial scholarship.
Instructions & Application
From January 29 to March 2, we will accept submissions across the following Usdan Departments:
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Visual Art
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Instrumental/Vocal Music
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Dance
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Creative Writing
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Theater
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Nature & Sustainability
How do I apply?
Kindergarten–Grade 1 (25–26 school year, must be age 5 to attend Usdan)
- Fill out the entry form.
- Submit a video that answers the following question: “Share an artwork you have made that is important to you. Explain what makes it meaningful to you.”
- To start the video, applicants should state their name and grade.
- Videos can be up to but no longer than 3 minutes.
- Along with your video, submit the artwork that you are sharing in one or multiple of these disciplines: Visual Art, Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theater, and Nature & Sustainability.
- Parents and caregivers are welcome to help their child through this process.
Grade 2–12 (25–26 school year)
- Fill out the entry form.
- Submit a video that answers the following question: “What makes you Uniquely U?”
- To start the video, applicants should state their name and grade.
- Videos can be up to but no longer than 5 minutes.
- Uniquely U applicants should also share with us one or multiple artforms that they are most passionate about. On their entry form, applicants are asked to tell us at least one and up to three Usdan Departments in which they would like to Major this summer. Should they receive a scholarship and enroll, they will be asked to Major in at least one of these Departments for at least four weeks during their eight weeks at camp.
- Applicants sharing Visual Art can submit up to 5 images from their portfolio.
- Applicants sharing Music, Theater, and/or Dance performances are encouraged to include examples of their work as part of the same (up to) 5 minute video.
- Applicants sharing Nature & Sustainability submissions can submit a video, photo(s), artwork, and/or written work about the student’s work with and connection to nature and sustainability.
- Applicants sharing Writing submissions can submit up to 2,500 words or a video of them reading selections of their work.
Submission Deadline
EXTENDED DEADLINE! Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. Unfortunately, incomplete entries can not be considered. A panel of assessors will review all entries.
Criteria
The Uniquely U scholarship recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Passion (a unique ability to communicate your love of the art)
- Creativity (a uniquely individual approach and style to your work with a high level of impact on the audience)
SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
The school/institution yielding the most “Uniquely U” applications will receive the School Scholarship, giving them the opportunity to choose a student to attend Usdan for eight weeks this summer — full tuition paid.
Mark your Calendars
- January 29: Program kicks off
- EXTENDED DEADLINE! March 9: Application closes
- Early April: Usdan notifies Uniquely U scholarship recipients
- Mid-April: Usdan announces recipients via media, website, and social media