WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall commended the Santa Fe Fine Arts for Children and Teens After-School Program (FACT) for being honored with a 2010 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program award today at the White House.
FACT, which received the 2010 Coming Up Taller Award, was one of just 15 youth arts and humanities organizations recognized in ceremony in the East Room of the White House. The award acknowledges programs whose work is making a difference in the lives of youth. In addition to today's events, FACT will also receive a special plaque and $10,000.
"FACT is a well-deserving recipient of this prestigious award," Udall said. "I have visited their after-school program in Santa Fe and witnessed firsthand the special impact the program is having. FACT's dedication and commitment to engaging and inspiring at-risk youth is commendable and underscores the importance of arts education for all New Mexico students."
FACT is an arts program for low-income and at-risk youth that is designed to impact youth by teaching them about visual arts. Earlier this year, FACT received $25,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to help the program maintain continuity with staffing and programming. The program annually reaches more than 4,500 youth in northern New Mexico.
This past July, Udall visited FACT to meet with staff, board members and art students in the program.
Today's award was bestowed by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and its partners. The committee is chaired by First Lady Michelle Obama and includes Sen. Udall's wife, Jill Cooper Udall. Mrs. Udall was on hand for today's events.
