History
For more than seventy five years, the National Society of Arts and Letters has been supporting talented young artists at the beginning of their careers. Founded by passionate supporters of the arts in the Washington, DC area, there are now seventeen chapters throughout the country.
The Beginning
NSAL co-founder Mollie Davis Nicholson
In the summer of 1944, in Chevy Chase Maryland, two visionary women, Mollie Davis Nicholson and Francesca Nielsen, talked about the state of the arts. They discussed the fact that the arts received very little support in this country in contrast to the government subsidies given to artists in European countries. They decided to do something about it, and that afternoon the National Society of Arts and Letters was conceived. It was to be a non-partisan, non-political, and non-profit organization, and their plan was to provide financial assistance to promising young artists through scholarships in the artistic disciplines of art, music, and literature.
Mollie agreed to grow the first chapter, to be called the Chevy Chase Chapter, and Francesca said she would found a chapter in her hometown, Chicago. Francesca founded a chapter in her hometown of Chicago and traveled the country, founding chapters in other cities. Shortly after its founding, Dorothy Nicholson Bates Stabell, Mollie’s daughter, assumed the presidency of the Chevy Chase Chapter. The Chapter changed its name to the Washington Chapter in March of 1945, when a founding member, Eleanor Searle Whitney (later McCollum), moved from Chevy Chase to Georgetown in Washington, D.C. She suggested that the name should be changed to the Washington Chapter to reflect its regional nature.
Francesca Falk Miller Nielsen started the Chicago Chapter in October 1944. In 1945, the two chapters awarded the first scholarships: one in piano and three in voice (Washington) and one in pipe organ (Chicago).
The Organization’s Growth and First National Conference
On June 30, 1945, the first conference of the National Society of Arts and Letters was held in Chicago. By this time eight chapters had been formed: Washington, D.C., Chicago, Florida, Colorado, North Dakota, California, Texas, and Kentucky. The conference concerned itself with rewriting the bylaws, establishing uniform guidelines for scholarships, and defining the purpose of the Society. Young artists were to be recognized and encouraged through donor gift awards, chapter prizes, scholarships, and exhibitions of their work. The bylaws provided membership to women qualified in the arts who were U.S. citizens. Artist member Emma W. Slack designed the logo.
By 1946 there were four more chapters: Arkansas, Indiana, Ohio, and New Jersey. A convention was held in Washington, D.C. with the theme of “Talent is Essential for Peace.” The program stated, “It has been said that a nation is as great as its cultural standards. The National Society of Arts and Letters is an organization whose broader purpose is to promote lasting world peace by lifting standards of every nation through mutual appreciation and endeavor in intellectual and cultural fields. Our immediate purpose is to aid young talent to receive recognition in the fields of art, music and literature.”
First Lady Bess Truman initiated the festivities with a reception at the White House. On April 16, 1946, the Washington Post covered the event, stating, “The Nation’s Capital has long been accustomed to brilliant and talented women, but even Washingtonians must perk up with interest at the varied accomplishments of the women composing a new organization — The National Society of Arts and Letters.”
At this 1946 convention, a group of distinguished persons in the arts was named to an NSAL Advisory Council. Practical matters were also addressed, such as implementing anational initiation fee and national dues. Chapters were encouraged to hold annual benefits and gather scholarship funds.
As growth continued, a Certificate of Incorporation was issued July 29, 1949, and tax-exempt status was recorded November 7, 1949. That year, dance and drama were added to the list of artistic disciplines. By 1951, NSAL had 25 chapters.
In 2019, NSAL was officially reincorporated to update their tax-exempt status, and to continue to provide support for young artists across multiple disciplines from all over the country.
The 50th Anniversary
In October 1994, members gathered for a gala celebration of the Society’s 50th anniversary. Attendees made a pilgrimage to the home of founder Molly Davis Nicholson in Chevy Chase for a champagne reception. The group was honored with events at embassies, and in the Grand Ballroom of the Mayflower Hotel, where The Honorable Livingston L. Biddle addressed the assemblage on the need for vigilance in promoting the arts.
The 60th Anniversary
The Central Illinois Chapter, host chapter for the convention and the 60th Anniversary celebration, gave the members delightful days and evenings of performances by former contestants. A gala celebration was held at the Champaign Country Club, and former contestants from 1959-2002 returned to perform and give accolades to NSAL.
The 75th Anniversary
In 2019, NSAL celebrated its 75th anniversary with an annual meeting and celebration in the city of its founding. The Washington, DC chapter hosted the event, which was highlighted by a Presidents’ Reception and Dinner, and the Presidents’ Luncheon at the Marriott Georgetown Hotel.
The National Annual Meeting convened, with Nancy Peery Marriott officially opening the performances with a performance of American Hymn and God Bless America. Young artist scholarship and award winners were featured: The Winston 2-D Art Scholarship recipient, Julia Annelise Gould, presented a slide show of her paintings. Winston Classical Voice Scholarship recipient, Rebeca Gonzalez-Maldonado, sang the aria from L’Abbandonata” (Saverio Mercadante), and the Dorothy Lincoln-Smith Classical Voice Award, Alexandra Razskazoff, sang two arias: “Iolanta’s Arioso” (Iolanta, P. I. Tchaikovsky) and “Crudele!…Non mi dir” (Don Giovanni, W. A. Mozart)
The National Competition in Drama brought forth incredible talent, and over $50,000 was distributed to winners. The First Place award of $15,000 went to Gena Yvonne Sims (Pittsburgh chapter); the Second Place award of $12,000 went to Abraham Thaddeus Shaw (St. Louis chapter); the Third Place award of $10,000 went to Kaleigh Bleu Howland (Bloomington, IN chapter); the Fourth Place award of $7,000 went to Hayward Lord Leach (Greater New York chapter); the Fifth Place award of $4,000 went to Charence Monique Higgins (Central Illinois chapter), and the Sixth Place award of $2,000 went to Darius Jamal Manuel (Florida East Coast chapter). The competition judges were Michael Bofshever (renowned actor of stage, film, and television); Michael Kahn (Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington DC); Geoffrey Soffer (Producer and partner of Soffer Namoff Productions); and Molly Smith (Artistic Director of Arena Stage, Washington, DC).
The young artists had the opportunity to engage in a Q&A with Molly Smith on Friday, and a Master Class and Workshop with Geoffrey Soffer, Michael Kahn, and Michael Bofshever on Saturday afternoon.
Other highlights of the annual meeting and competition in Washington included an Awards Banquet at the historic Cosmos Club, and a private tour of The National Museum of Women in the Arts.
As the NSAL’s celebrated its rich history at its 75th anniversary National Annual Meeting, the future of the organization was also discussed with great hope and enthusiasm.
A Look To The Future
Over the years, much has been accomplished for which we can take pride. NSAL discovered stars such as Shirley MacLaine, actress/dancer/writer; Jessye Norman, opera singer; Megan Hilty, Broadway and television star; Awadagin Pratt, pianist; and Amanda McKerrow, prima ballerina. Many fine careers have been launched through support from NSAL’s awards and scholarships. The tradition of proud and enthusiastic members continues. Men have been invited into membership and have provided distinguished leadership. In 1998, non-citizens were permitted full membership privileges, thereby providing a more international aspect to our organization. Today we strive to uphold and build upon the legacy of our visionary founders.