The magic of Sundance wasn’t just on the big screen this year—it was in the room where Dr. Jeff Walker announced a major expansion of Walker’s Rising Stars, the long-standing arts scholarship program born in St. Petersburg, Florida. After two decades of fostering young talent, Walker is now taking the program national, setting the stage for even more aspiring artists to receive life-changing opportunities.
At a packed panel in Park City, Walker outlined his vision: scholarships ranging from $1,000 for fifth place to a significant $10,000 for first place in various arts categories, including singing, dancing, theater, musical instruments, and visual arts. “This program has the power to change lives,” Walker said. “There are hundreds of Walker’s Rising Stars that have gone out over the country.”
Art as Legacy: Jeffrey Walker’s Vision
For Walker, this isn’t just a scholarship program—it’s a legacy of nurturing creativity, resilience, and community. “Walker’s Rising Stars scholarship charity program fosters our youth and gives them the confidence to pursue their dreams,” Walker shared during the event. “It promotes art, love, and connection, and that’s the most important legacy I can leave behind.”
He emphasized the broader impact beyond individual scholarships. “Art is an educational tool,” Walker noted. “This program doesn’t just support our kids; it supports our teachers. Everyone out there has had at least one or two teachers who made a significant impact on their lives.” His passion was evident as he continued, “I’m not doing this charity for me, I’m not doing this charity for my kids. I’m doing this charity for your kids.”
The national expansion aims to find 1,000 sponsors who will mentor, produce, and support these young talents. Walker revealed his ambitious plan to regionalize and eventually televise the program to amplify its reach and fundraising potential. “It’s going to take a lot of money, but I believe in the mission and the kids who will make this happen.”
Kimberly Cole’s Mission to Inspire Young Artists
Adding to the discussion, singer, songwriter, and director Kimberly Cole highlighted the importance of mentoring young artists and supporting their emotional, mental, and financial growth in the creative world. Cole, who is also the director of the upcoming documentary Blood, Sweat & Wheels, opened up about how art shaped her own life.
“It’s my mission to support, mentor, and inspire our youth to be able to feel seen, understood, and accepted choosing a life in the arts,” Cole explained. “As a sensitive child, I leaned into creation to process the world and my feelings. It allowed me not only to express myself but also to survive even when I felt misunderstood. I want to help normalize the career path of young artists and help contribute to creating a roadmap of a successful journey in the industry, from not only a financial perspective but also from an emotional and mental health perspective.”
Her words resonated with the audience as she underscored the unique challenges young artists face. Cole’s passion aligns perfectly with Walker’s vision, as both leaders seek to open doors and provide the support necessary for creative minds to thrive.
The Power of Bridges and Non-Traditional Paths
Walker and Cole weren’t the only ones to emphasize the need for opportunities in the arts. The panel also featured notable figures like Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon co-director Carlos López Estrada, Introducing, Selma Blair director Rachel Fleit, and Bel-Air actor Jimmy Akingbola. Each of them spoke about their efforts to bridge gaps for underrepresented groups in the entertainment world.
López Estrada, who co-founded Antigravity Academy to help young people explore careers in the arts, shared the mission behind his initiative: “I think we’re just trying to fill the gaps and create bridges so that someone who may not believe that there’s a career for them in filmmaking can see paths ahead. Hopefully, we can be there just connecting.”
Fleit echoed these sentiments, referencing her latest film Sugar Babies, which documents the lives of young women in Ruston, Louisiana, striving to better their futures. “If they only knew about programs like this, it could change everything,” she remarked, emphasizing how access to arts funding could open new doors for ambitious youth.
Akingbola, known for his roles in Arrow and Ted Lasso, chimed in: “I think that’s something I want to really help the next generation with in terms of resilience. But also, I think we’re talking about bridges. I believe every one of us here is part of a bridge.”
Love for Art, a Practical Plan for the Future
Throughout the event, the passion for art and its transformative power was evident, but Walker is pragmatic about how to make his vision sustainable. “We need to find heroes who believe in these kids and this mission,” he said. “Then, we’ll go through regional, state, and eventually national televised competitions to raise the necessary funds.”
Kimberly Cole reflected on the importance of programs like Walker’s, particularly for young artists who often struggle to gain recognition. “These people are doing this for nothing other than the love of something,” she said.
With the support of major figures like Walker, Cole, and others on the panel, the future looks bright for young artists across the country. As Walker succinctly put it: “I want to make a significant impact on our culture by supporting the arts for our youth for generations to come and move the needle to inspire change at a time when we need it most.”
This mission, rooted in opportunity and endurance, may just be the bridge that countless aspiring artists need to step confidently into their futures.
