ABOUT US

NSAL Arizona came to life in 1966 when key community volunteers had a desire to provide financial assistance to promising young artists through scholarships in the artistic disciplines of art, music and literature, and later adding dance, drama, and musical theater. Our first competition was in 1970 in Dance, and our winner that year was Kristine Soleri who went on to dance with the National Ballet of Canada and American Ballet Theatre.

Our national organization was originally founded in Washington, D.C. in 1944 by Mollie Davis Nicholson (pictured) and Francesca Falk Nielsen to recognize and promote promising young talent in the arts. It now has 18 chapters across the United States.

The organization has had a distinguished history, providing well over $3,500,000 in awards at the national and chapter levels. The importance and quality of our mission and activities is endorsed by the stellar list of prominent present and past luminaries in the arts who have served on the NSAL National Honors Council. Seven First Ladies have served as Honorary Members.

Over the years, NSAL has discovered a litany of stars such as:

• Actress, dancer, and author, Shirley MacLaine
• Opera singer, Jessye Norman
• Broadway and television star, Megan Hilty
• Concert pianist, Awadagin Pratt
• Prima ballerina, Amanda McKerrow

NSAL’s support has helped launch many fine careers both nationally and regionally.