Presidential Scholars in the Arts

The U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts is a recognition program administered by the U.S. Department of Education that honors the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. Established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson and expanded in 1979 to include arts students, the program selects approximately 161 scholars annually. Winners receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a ceremony in Washington, DC. There is no cash award.

How the Program Works

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes students in three components: general academics, career and technical education, and the arts. The arts component identifies students who demonstrate outstanding accomplishment in visual and performing arts or creative writing.

Key Change for 2026

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 are made through Chief State School Officers (CSSOs) in a process administered by the U.S. Department of Education. This change means students no longer need to be YoungArts winners to be considered.

Nomination Process

1. Schools and creative arts organizations self-nominate students and submit applications to their state's Chief State School Officer (e.g., the Illinois State Board of Education, the Massachusetts DESE).
2. Each CSSO may nominate up to five students for the arts component (in addition to up to 10 male and 10 female students for the general component).
3. Nominated students receive candidacy materials by mail inviting them to apply.
4. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars reviews applications and selects the final scholars.

Eligibility

• US citizen or legal permanent resident
• Graduating high school senior (receiving a diploma between January and August of the program year)
• Enrolled in a public, parochial, or independent school, or home-schooled
• Participates in a visual, performing, or creative writing arts program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
• Nominated by a school district teacher, administrator, or creative arts organization

Timeline for 2026

• State nominations are due between late January and early February 2026 (varies by state)
• The Commission on Presidential Scholars selects all 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars
• Scholars are announced in summer 2026
• Winners receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a ceremony in Washington, DC

Real-World Example

A 17-year-old high school senior in Massachusetts is a dedicated classical cellist who has won regional concerto competitions and serves as principal cellist in her youth orchestra. Her high school music teacher nominates her for the arts component of the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program by submitting the nomination form to the Massachusetts DESE by January 28, 2026. The nomination includes documentation of her arts coursework, competition awards, and performance experience. If selected by the DESE as one of its five arts nominees, she receives candidacy materials from the U.S. Department of Education and submits a full application. The White House Commission reviews her application alongside candidates from all 50 states. If chosen as one of the 161 Presidential Scholars, she travels to Washington, DC for the medallion ceremony in summer 2026.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

The Presidential Scholars Medallion carries no cash prize, but its value is reputational. The recognition is one of the highest honors a graduating high school senior can receive in the United States. For college and conservatory applications, it is a signal of exceptional achievement that admissions officers recognize immediately.

The 2026 change to CSSO nominations is significant. Previously, only YoungArts award winners with distinction were eligible for consideration. Now, any high school senior nominated by their school or a creative arts organization can be put forward by their state's education agency. This opens the door to students who may not have applied to YoungArts but have outstanding artistic and academic records.

Contact your high school guidance counselor or state education agency early in your senior year to ask about the nomination process and deadline for your state. Each state sets its own internal deadline for receiving nominations, which is typically earlier than the federal deadline. Prepare a portfolio documenting your artistic accomplishments, including performance recordings, competition results, and arts coursework.

Related Opportunities

• National YoungArts Foundation for the national arts competition that previously served as the nominating pathway
• From the Top for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award for pre-college classical musicians
• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Music Schools Directory to find music programs at top universities and conservatories
• Visit the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program official page for program details and eligibility information