NOTE FROM BILL IVEY
Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to present Coming Up Taller Awards to 10 outstanding arts programs that nurture the creative promise of our children.
Within every child exists a creative potential that, once tapped, represents our nation's most precious natural resource. Nothing is more powerful than the creative force of the human spirit and it is precisely that creativity that these Coming Up Taller Award winners help to encourage and develop.
In a world where all too often the creative possibilities of our children are stifled by violence, abuse, and anger, these after school and summer arts programs provide safe havens where caring adults help young people to explore and discover who they are and what they want to become.
Young people are given an opportunity to create, experience, and learn about art. Whether transforming old chairs into artistic treasures, learning traditional dances, designing glass sculptures, writing poetry, performing plays, or improvising jazz, these young artists are finding positive outlets for their emotions and learning important life skills, such as communication and teamwork.
It has been said that there are really only two lasting gifts we can give our children: roots and wings. Coming Up Taller programs give them both - an appreciation of America's rich and diverse cultural heritage, along with the self-confidence to achieve their dreams.
The National Endowment for the Arts is honored to recognize these 10 outstanding arts programs and is committed to supporting community efforts dedicated to providing a future of hope for America's children.
