Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s (BGCGW) TAP, Arts_Humanities Award 2016Powered by STEAM program was selected as a finalist for the prestigious National Arts and Humanities Youth Program (NAHYP) Awards by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. This distinction, given along with NAHYP’s cultural partners – the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is the Nation’s highest honor for out-of-school arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America’s young people.
The Teen Arts Performance (TAP) program was launched in 2007 to serve as a regional performance and visual arts troupe for BGCGW and to provide ongoing multidisciplinary arts training for youth with a keen interest in the arts. Program participants attend private sessions, master classes, and performances from renowned artists from the top art universities, including Juilliard and Peabody conservatories. They also enjoy arts-related field trips, as well as performance opportunities at world-class arts institutions and festivals.
“I wanted underserved youth to be afforded the same world-class arts training programs that I provided for my own daughter, who is a Juilliard graduate,” explained Tony Small, Regional Artistic Director. “That is what inspired me to begin TAP.” Tony says, “It feels great to have been selected for such a prestigious award that highlights our strides in exposing our kids to the world of STEAM.”