A “March Madness” For the Arts?

Every year, March Madness takes over. Sixty-eight college basketball teams, sixteen brackets, the Final Four, and one champion. It’s one of the most hyped events of the year — everyone’s convinced their pick is going all the way, and someone’s always devastated by a lost bet..

But what if that same level of excitement, competition, and national obsession was given to the performing arts? Theatre kids are out here breaking their backs for a two-minute monologue and a Spotify link with 12 listens. It’s time the arts got a little more of that spotlight, funding, and national energy.

Imagine 68 performing arts schools — brackets full of dance, classical music, jazz, theatre, spoken word, and more — going head-to-head. Each round gets more intense. Each performance is live and high-stakes.

Top conservatories and universities bring their best. It’s not just about performance — it’s strategy, style, innovation, and talent. The template is already here with the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, National Playwriting Competition – I wonder what it would take?

Not because the performing arts are trying to be sports, but because competition and community are already baked into the arts — the collaboration, the process, the boldness of putting something new out there. That deserves recognition, too.

So:
Would you attend?
Would you fill out a bracket with your friends or coworkers?
Would you perform?