U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts
More than 800 YoungArts award winners have been named U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students in the arts.
About the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson in order to recognize and honor the nation’s top graduating high school seniors and was expanded in 1979 to include students who demonstrated talent in the visual, creative and performing arts.
From 1982 to 2025, YoungArts served as the sole nominating agency for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, drawing from annual YoungArts award winners with distinction. Since 2026, nominations have been made through Chief State School Officers in a process administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Scholars are selected annually by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, based on academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities and writing ability.
More than 800 YoungArts award winners have been honored as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts since 1982, and they continue to be among those recognized in this esteemed group each year.
