• Subway Sleuths
    First Lady Michelle Obama with 2016 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award winner Subway Sleuths. Photo: Steven E. Purcell
  • Tribal Youth Ambassadors with Jacque and Bella
    Jacque Nunez and Bell Williams, of Tribal Youth Ambassadors, link generations at Culture Camp. Photo: Kate Nagle
  • WMACT Teen Arts + Tech Program Damian, utility box project
    WMACT Teen Arts + Tech Program's Damian Wilson paints a utility box, part of a project to recognize social heroes of color. Photo: Carolina Lopez-Ruiz
  • IBA Photo 8
    IBA's Youth Development Program's training helps students develop leadership skills and find their voice to effect change in their communities. Photo: Moira Studio
  • Rosie Theater Kids
    During a spring benefit for Rosie’s Theater Kids, ACTE II students in grades 9 through 12 perform “Dance at the Gym,” from West Side Story. Photo: Rosalie O'Connor
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    Students who participated in the spring program at Urban Artisans proudly display their final artwork. Photo: Carrie Claycomb-King
  • 2015_carousel_3
    The Young Writers & Leaders program helps immigrant and refugee youth, such as Elahe Seddiqi and Maryam Abdullah, improve their English-language proficiency, while they share stories of their experiences. Photo: Molly Haley
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    CPS Shakespeare! students Joaquin (left) and Kimberly rehearse a scene on the courtyard stage, while director Kirsten Kelly (center) looks on. Photo: Liz Lauren
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    Project STEP cellist Amalia Ali, a third grader at the time, participates in a master class with Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart. Photo: Michael J. Lutch
  • NAHYP_carousel6
    Zavonte produces hip-hop music in the Middle School Program’s Beat Shop.
    Photo: O’Shea Woodhouse

“These outstanding programs are expanding horizons, changing lives, and helping young people fulfill their dreams—across America and around the world. Each of these programs is using achievement in the arts and humanities as a bridge to achievement in life.”

First Lady Michelle Obama
Honorary Chairman
President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities

Welcome

The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities is pleased to present the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards to outstanding after-school and out-of-school programs that are transforming the lives of young people. Programs that receive the award exemplify how arts and humanities programs outside of the regular school day enrich the lives of young people throughout the country by teaching new skills, nurturing creativity, and building self-confidence. These programs offer high-quality and intensive instruction on weekends, afternoons, and summer vacations, providing a safe and productive space for young people in the hours when they are often the most vulnerable. Their carefully focused projects supplement in-school curricula with exposure to a wide variety of artistic and scholastic pursuits. Arts and humanities education has always been a priority for the President’s Committee and is a major focus of the Committee’s ongoing efforts. We are proud of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award’s long record of success in acknowledging and supporting these inspiring programs.

George Stevens, Jr.
Co-Chairman
President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities

Margo Lion
Co-Chairman
President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities