S&R, International award now in its 13th year of supporting and celebrating emerging artists across multiple disciplines, including music and fine arts

WASHINGTON – July 16, 2014 – S&R Foundation, a Washington, DC-based non-profit that supports gifted individuals in the arts, sciences and social entrepreneurship, today announced that the application process for the 2014 S&R Washington Award is now open. Established in 2001, the Award honors talented individuals with high aspirations in the fields of fine art, music, drama, dance, photography and film. Applications are being accepted through October 1, 2014.

Recognizing the difficulties associated with launching or advancing a career in the arts, S&R Foundation founders Dr. Sachiko Kuno and Dr. Ryuji Ueno established the award to encourage and support gifted and dedicated artists.

“S&R Washington Award was one of the first programs we established, and we are thrilled to open the application process for our 13^th annual award,” said Dr. Kuno, President of S&R Foundation. “It is truly rewarding for us to see past winners develop in their careers, as well as to grow and learn from each other. They continue to inspire us, whether performing in front of sold out audiences at venues like the Kennedy Center, Strathmore Hall and historic Evermay Estate, or simply rehearsing at Evermay. We invite all aspiring artists deserving of recognition to apply for the S&R Washington Award.”

Each Award recipient receives a $5,000 grant to help pursue his or her artistic career. Additional funding may be provided to a Grand Prize winner, if one is selected by the Awards Committee. Washington Award Grand Prize winners are also highlighted in an S&R sponsored event showcasing their talents, such as a concert, gallery showing or screening.

The 2013 Washington Award winners include two Grand Prize Winners - composer and pianist Michael Djupstrom and cellist Tim Park. Additional honors were presented to pianist Tanya Gabrielian, violinist Ryu Goto and classical guitarist Soichi Muraji. The S&R Washington Award is open to emerging artists in the performing and visual arts forms, with past winners also including emerging artists from the fields of painting, ceramics, dance and choreography, film, and lighting design.

Many previous Washington Award winners have performed at Overtures Concert Series, hosted by S&R Foundation. The 2014 Overtures Fall Concert Series begins September 12, with a performance by 2011 S&R Washington Award winners, pianist Ryo Yanagitani and cellist Char Prescott, at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts’ Millennium Stage.

Please visit www.SandRFoundation.org to apply and for additional information.

About S&R Foundation

S&R Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created in 2000 to support talented individuals with great potential and high aspirations in the arts, sciences and social entrepreneurship, especially those who are furthering international cultural collaboration. Contributions to S&R Foundation go directly to funding our mission. Overhead and general operational costs are covered by founders' contributions and use of existing assets. For more information, visit www.SandRFoundation.org.