Young Artist Award
The Young Artist Award is an award which is presented yearly by the Young Artist Foundation. Started in 1981, it was envisioned specifically as an award to be presented to talented young people in television and movies when they might otherwise be overshadowed by their more seasoned costars. The secondary purpose of the award is to garner attention to the foundation's scholarship fund for physically or financially challenged aspiring young artists, to allow them to pursue their dreams.
As of 2004, the foundation gives out awards in 32 categories:
- Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Actor
- Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Actress
- Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Actor
- Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Actress
- Best Performance in a Feature Film - Young Actor 10 or Younger
- Best Performance in a Feature Film - Young Actress 10 or Younger
- Best Ensemble in a Feature Film
- Best Performance in a Short Film
- Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special - Leading Actor
- Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special - Leading Actress
- Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special - Supporting Actor
- Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special - Supporting Actress
- Best Performance in a TV Series - Leading Actor
- Best Performance in a TV Series - Leading Actress
- Best Performance in a TV Series - Supporting Actor
- Best Performance in a TV Series - Supporting Actress
- Best Performance in a TV Series - Young Actor 10 or Younger
- Best Performance in a TV Series - Young Actress 10 or Younger
- Best Performance in a TV Series - Guest Starring Actor
- Best Performance in a TV Series - Guest Starring Actress
- Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Actor
- Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Actress
- Most Popular Mom and Dad in a Television Series
- Best Adult Performer in a Teenaged Role
- Best Performance in a Voice Over Role - Actor
- Best Performance in a Voice Over Role - Actress
- Best Performance in a Commercial
- Best Family Television Movie or Special
- Best Family Television Series
- Best International Feature Film
- Best Family Feature Film - Animation
- Best Family Feature Film - Comedy or Musical
- Best Family Feature Film - Drama
Although the awards are considered some of the best awards for recognising the works of children, many of the child actors themselves do not actually feel the awards are important and few attend the awards ceremony.