For the second consecutive year, Music Haven has been named a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards finalist. A dozen organizations will be selected from a group of 50 finalists to “receive a $10,000 grant and the opportunity to visit the White House and accept the award from First Lady Michelle Obama,” according to the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards website, which indicates that “awardees also receive a full year of capacity-building and communications support, designed to make their organizations stronger.”
Music Haven is (clockwise from top) Tina Lee Hadari, Yaira Matyakubova, Colin Benn, and Matt Beckmann
Tina Lee Hadari, Music Haven’s executive director, said on Monday that the 2012 awardees will be notified in June and that awards will be presented in July, in Washington, D.C. Music Haven was a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards finalist in 2011.
According to its website, “the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award is the nation’s highest honor for out-of-school arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America’s young people, particularly those from underserved communities. This award recognizes and supports excellence in programs that open new pathways to learning, self-discovery, and achievement.”
Music Haven’s mission, according to language on its website, “is to integrate music and creative endeavor into community life. The quartet provides access to free music education and world-class chamber music performances to residents in New Haven’s most underserved neighborhoods.”
Recognition from the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards is “confirmation that we’re doing good work,” Hadari said.
The organization’s work includes an annual, internal program evaluation process, which Hadari said has in the past two years found that “96 percent of our students reported that they learned to work harder at things that they want to accomplish … 92 percent of our parents noticed that their children are setting higher expectations (for themselves) … 100 percent of participants reported that they believe their teachers are good role models and adults whom they trust … (and) 86 percent of our students reported that Music Haven has helped them feel more comfortable working in a team.”
For information about past National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards winners and finalists, go here. For application information, go here.