ABOUT the program
ABOUT the program
In 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established by executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson to recognize and honor the nation’s top graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrated talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.Scholars are selected annually by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, appointed by the President, based on academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and writing ability. Every year, thousands of candidates qualify for the program based on outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers or the National YoungArts Foundation.
U.S. Presidential Scholars each year are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education.
BECOMING A U.S. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR IN THE ARTS
BECOMING A U.S. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR IN THE ARTS
The first step to becoming a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts is to apply to the National YoungArts Foundation, which is the nominating agency for this honor. To be eligible for the YoungArts program, applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 18 or in high school grades 10-12. To be further considered for a nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar, applicants must be high school seniors and meet all of the U.S. Presidential Scholars requirements.
YoungArts winners demonstrating excellence in the visual, literary, performing or design arts are selected annually through a blind adjudication process. Each January, approximately 170 Finalists from across the nation are invited to National YoungArts Week in Miami, where they participate in a week of intensive master classes and workshops with internationally renowned artists, and share their work through performances, readings, exhibitions and screenings that are open to the public.
During National YoungArts Week, eligible participants are further evaluated, award levels are determined, and nominations are made for that year’s U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts candidates. After a rigorous selection process, YoungArts nominates 60 candidates for an invitation to apply to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Finally, the Commission on Presidential Scholars selects 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts each year based on artistic achievement, personal characteristics and leadership and service activities.
U.S. Presidential Scholars are invited to Washington, D.C. for several days of recognition activities. The scholars meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists and other leaders. Scholars also visit museums and monuments in our nation’s capital and attend recitals, receptions and ceremonies held in their honor.
In addition to these activities, the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts have the opportunity to display their artwork in an exhibition and perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
View the list of 2017 Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
View the 2017 Presidential Scholars in the Arts bios.
A Salute to the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars
A Salute to the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars
The performance is a celebration of all U.S. Presidential Scholars, and is co-presented by the National YoungArts Foundation, the Commission on the U.S. Presidential Scholars and the U.S. Department of Education.A Salute to the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars
June 19 | 8 PM | The Kennedy CenterA multidisciplinary performance directed by Tony Yazbeck
Event is FREE and open to the public with tickets.
Exhibition of Artwork + Writing
Hall of NationsOn view June 13 - June 30
Public Hours: 10 AM – Midnight
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F Street NW, Washington, D.C.