Author: Joelle Luongo

Last month, 12 creative youth development programs from across the country were recognized by the nation’s arts and culture agencies with the highest honor such programs can receive, the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award.

First presented in 1998, the 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards was presented through a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in cooperation with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA).

In its 19th year, the award has recognized 285 after-school and out-of-school-time programs for achieving a wide range of outcomes in the lives of children and youth, often from underserved communities across the country. Among the outcomes generated by these programs are higher grades and graduation rates, increased college attendance rates, and skill development ranging from collaboration and critical thinking to leadership and confidence.

“These 12 creative youth development programs represent the best of the best,” said Pam Breaux, president and chief executive officer of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. “They are living proof of the power of the arts and the humanities to build the skills young people need to succeed in school and in life.”

In addition to their recognition by the nation’s arts and culture agencies, each of the 12 community-based programs will receive $10,000. For more information about the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards, visit nahyp.org.

2017 Awardees

Brick x Brick
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Miami, FL

Confident Voices
SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young
New York, NY

Cool Classics!
Chicago, IL

Creative Readers
Port Washington Public Library
Port Washington, NY

Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company
Destiny Arts Center
Oakland, CA

High School Apprenticeship Program
New Bedford Whaling Museum
New Bedford, MA

MAPS Media Institute
The Irwin and Florence Rosten Foundation, Inc.
Hamilton, MT

Newark Museum Explorers
Newark Museum
Newark, NJ

Phoenix Conservatory of Music’s College Prep Program
Phoenix Conservatory of Music
Phoenix, AZ

Teen Innovators at BLDG 92
Brooklyn Historical Society
Brooklyn, NY

The Penguin Project
The Penguin Project Foundation, Inc.
Peoria, IL

The Summer Performing Arts Company
Grand Forks Public Schools
Grand Forks, ND

International Spotlight Honor

MASC Awesome Arts
MASC (Multi-Cultural Arts for Schools and Communities)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and its cultural partners – the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services – are proud to recognize 50 outstanding programs in the field of Creative Youth Development across the country for their work in providing excellent arts and humanities learning opportunities to young people. From big cities to small towns, the 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award Finalists reflect the diversity of disciplines and settings of these exceptional creative youth development programs that are taking place from coast to coast.  Continue reading “2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award Finalists Announced”

If your organization is offering outstanding out-of-school-time humanities learning opportunities to young people, you may be eligible for the 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards. See if your organization is eligible.

The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award is the nation’s highest honor for out-of-school arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America’s young people, particularly those from underserved communities. This award recognizes and supports excellence in programs that open new pathways to learning, self-discovery, and achievement. Continue reading “Apply for a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award”