Kim is also eligible for further honors, including being nominated as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts
Collin Kim, a junior at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, has been named a 2026 YoungArts Award winner with distinction in Writing. Kim, an accomplished writer, is among the nation’s most talented young artists selected from nearly 13,000 applicants across 39 states and the District of Columbia.
Kim’s writing has earned recognition from prestigious organizations such as the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the Poetry Society of Virginia, and the National Council of Teachers in English. His poetry has appeared in various publications, including the Diode Poetry Journal and West Trade Review. Along with his literary pursuits, Kim is also an avid violist and surfer.
The YoungArts Award recognizes young talent in various artistic disciplines, and Kim’s achievement places him among a distinguished group of visual, literary, and performing artists. The award, which has been presented annually since 1981, provides young artists with mentorship and professional development opportunities. Kim’s selection comes with a $250 monetary award in recognition of his outstanding work in writing.
As a YoungArts winner, Kim has been invited to participate in National YoungArts Week, which will take place in Miami in January. This week-long event will offer him the opportunity to share his work, engage in workshops, and receive mentorship from leading artists in his field.
Kim is also eligible for further honors, including being nominated as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.
YoungArts Award winners, all aged 15-18, are selected through a competitive process. This year’s winners, including Kim, will also have the opportunity to be considered for additional awards of up to $10,000.
