Email 
PrintAfter-School Program Honored by White House
Dance Institute of Washington recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama 
First Lady Michelle Obama will present the 2011 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program (NAHYP) Award today to the Dance Institute of Washington (DIW). DIW's Positive Directions Through Dance will be recognized for developing learning and life skills in young people by engaging them in dance, financial literacy, job readiness and nutrition education.
The NAHYP Award is the highest honor that after-school arts and humanities programs can receive in the United States. The award is administered by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Positive Directions Through Dance was chosen from a pool of more than 471 nominations and 50 finalists and is one of only 12 after-school and out-of-school programs across the country to receive the award. DIW is the single dance organization to be honored with this award and the sole program recognized in Washington, D.C. in 2011.
Accepting the award will be Daniel Artis, 17, accompanied by Fabian Barnes of DIW. Daniel has been engaged with DIW since 2007. Positive Directions Through Dance is offered after school to teenagers, preteens and preschoolers from low-income neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.
Studies have shown that low-income youth engaged in arts programs are more likely to stay in school, to get good grades, to graduate and to enroll in college, thereby addressing several critical challenges confronting our youth and our community.