Press Release: Saratoga Performing Arts Center Announces 9th Annual “Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists”
April 30, 2026
Saratoga Performing Arts Center Announces
9th Annual “Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists”
Sunday, May 31 @ 2 PM
Free community festival to showcase hundreds of the Capital Region’s brightest young dancers, musicians, singers, poets and visual artists, culminating in a large-scale performance on the SPAC stage
Three “Outstanding Artists” receive scholarships in visual, literary and performing arts;
Student Composer Contest to premiere at the festival with Empire State Youth Orchestra
to be broadcast by media sponsor WMHT
Saratoga Springs, NY (April 30, 2026) – Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced that “The Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists” will return for its ninth annual event on Sunday, May 31 from 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Following the theme Seasons, this year’s event will celebrate cycles of growth, transformation, reflection and renewal, while also commemorating 60 years of SPAC and its blossoming into a vibrant, year-round organization. The festival will celebrate the collaborative creativity of more than 700 of the Capital Region’s brightest young dancers, musicians, singers, poets, and visual artists all in support of SPAC’s mission to provide free and accessible arts programming for local youth.
Featuring students from local schools and organizations such as Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO), Capital District Youth Chorale, Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet, Capital District Arts Initiative, and the SPAC School of the Arts, the afternoon will include individual pop-up performances and art displays, culminating in a large-scale, coordinated production on SPAC’s stage. As part of the production, an original musical composition by Kingston Czajkowski (Grade 12, Cairo-Durham High School), will premiere on the SPAC stage, performed by the ESYO Symphony Orchestra and recorded for a later broadcast by media sponsor WMHT.
SPAC also revealed the “Outstanding Artist” award winners: Victoria Jones (Saratoga Springs High School, Grade 11) for visual art; Fatemeh Amiri (Shaker HS, Grade 10) for literary art; and dancers from Capital District Arts Initiative for performing arts. Each selected student will receive a $500 scholarship to support the further development of their craft at the festival. The complete online student gallery will be available at www.spacfoya.org on May 10.
“This year’s Festival of Young Artists carries a special energy as we build on exciting new traditions launched last year, including our partnership with WMHT and the return of the Student Composer Contest. As we approach nearly a decade of this festival, it continues to reflect a deep commitment to inclusivity—spotlighting the artistic achievements of hundreds of students from across our region and creating space for every voice, discipline, and creative perspective to be seen and celebrated,” said Dennis Moench, VP of Education
“Guided by the theme of Seasons, this year’s Festival of Young Artists beautifully reflects cycles of growth, transformation, reflection, and renewal—both for the young artists and for SPAC itself as we celebrate our 60th anniversary. As I mark my 10th year, and as this festival approaches a decade of its own, it stands as a signature expression of our expanded education program—one that has grown from serving 5,000 students to more than 60,000 annually. It is a powerful reflection of what’s possible when we invest in young people and create a space where creativity can truly flourish,” said Elizabeth Sobol, Chief Executive Officer of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “We are grateful to The Adirondack Trust Company’s ongoing support in making this signature SPAC event possible.”
Kicking off at 2:00 p.m., SPAC’s grounds will be transformed into a festive celebration and will feature individual pop-up performances by student ensembles from the Capital Region, fine art displays, food stands, poetry slams, lawn games and immersive art activities, plus free ice cream provided by Stewart’s Shops. At 4:45pm, hundreds of young artists will gather to present a celebratory concert on SPAC’s main stage, featuring large-scale productions that combine music, song, poetry, visual art, and dance.
This event is free to the community; however, registration is required for admission. Visit spacfoya.org for details.
The Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists is presented with exclusive media sponsor WMHT.
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About SPAC Education
Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s education programs reach over 60,000 individuals, offer more than 1,500 classes and events, and partner with 150 schools and nonprofit organizations across the Saratoga, Adirondack, and Capital Regions of New York State. SPAC Education provides arts access to people of all ages, abilities, and demographics, while prioritizing historically marginalized groups and identities. Flagship offerings include the “Classical Kids” in-school music and dance program; “SPAC Dance Project” in-school dance residencies; “Access the Arts” weekly classes for adults from local day habilitation programs; the “Creative Connections” Saturday program for children from local youth-serving organizations; the “Summer Nights at SPAC” outreach initiative, providing transportation, meals, and performance tickets to families from under-resourced communities; and the “Festival of Young Artists,” an annual event that brings together and celebrates hundreds of student dancers, singers, musicians, poets, and visual artists. Additional music, theater, and dance programs are offered year-round at SPAC School of the Arts, a state-of-the-art educational facility dedicated to furthering SPAC’s mission to promote inclusion, equity, and access.
The SPAC School operates out of the Lewis A. Swyer Studios on the National Museum of Dance campus in Saratoga Spa State Park. www.spacschool.org
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located in the historic resort town of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, is one of America’s most prestigious outdoor amphitheaters. Its exquisite setting in a 2,400-acre park preserve surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs draws lovers of arts, culture and nature for performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Saratoga Jazz Festival, and concerts by Live Nation. SPAC also hosts imaginative programming such as Caffè Lena @ SPAC and initiatives in culinary, literary, healing and visual arts.
SPAC is a 501c3 charitable organization. Donations and proceeds from fundraising events benefit the Center’s thriving education program, community outreach efforts, and the vibrancy of its programming. For more information visit spac.org.