PCAH Seeks Nominations for 2010 Coming Taller Awards

The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities is inviting nominations for its Coming Up Taller Awards, which recognize and reward excellence in after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities programs. Award recipients receive $10,000 each, an individualized plaque and an invitation to attend the annual Coming Up Taller Leadership Enhancement Conference. The President’s Committee encourages programs initiated by museums, libraries, performing arts organizations, universities, colleges, arts centers, community service organizations, schools, businesses, and eligible government entities to send in a nomination.

First Lady Michelle Obama presents a 2009 Coming Up Taller award to Detroit’s Citywide Poets. This program was one of hundreds of excellent nominations selected for this prestigious honor.

Embarking on its thirteenth year, the Coming Up Taller Awards honor after-school and out-of-school programs that are tangible examples of the power of the arts and the humanities to encourage young people's creativity and to provide them with learning opportunities, chances to contribute to their community, and ways to take responsibility for their own futures. the awards also celebrate the contributions that educators, curators, historians, scholars, librarians, and artists make to families and communities by mentoring and teaching children.

Prior recipients of a Coming Up Taller Award are not eligible for an award in 2010. Coming Up Taller Awards are given to organizations for a specific program. In some cases, the organization and program may be the same. The President’s Committee conveys these awards in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Deadline: Completed nominations should be sent to the President’s Committee and be received by Friday, January 29, 2010. If you have any questions, please contact the President’s Committee at 202-682-5409.