PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS
Each year, 20 YoungArts Finalists are named Presidential Scholars in the Arts. At the request of The Commission on Presidential Scholars, which is appointed by the President of the United States, National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, through its YoungArts program serves as the exclusive nominating agency for Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Participants in the YoungArts program are the only students eligible to receive the designation of Presidential Scholars in the Arts (PSA), based on their artistic and academic achievements. Being named a Presidential Scholar is the highest scholastic honor available to graduating high school seniors. Each year, a group of 60 PSA nominees are selected from the 150 YoungArts Finalists. From these students, 20 winners are chosen by the Commission on Presidential Scholars and named Presidential Scholars in the Arts, alongside 120 academic scholars at a White House ceremony. In addition to this once in a lifetime honor, the visual artists, photographers and writers present their work in an exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the performing artists perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; truly a life changing experience for any young artist.

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