Dance Institute of Washington Honored by First Lady Michelle Obama

Training program "Positive Directions Through Dance" is recognized for positive youth outcomes
First Lady Michelle Obama presents the 2011 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award to the Dance Institute of Washington. Accepting the award in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday were DIW Founder/Artistic Director Fabian Barnes, and Daniel Artis, a student participant in the program. The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards are the nation’s highest honor for after-school and out-of-school programs devoted to achieving positive outcomes for youth by engaging them in the arts and humanities. The awards are administered by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The Dance Institute of Washington (DIW) is a dance education institution committed to providing children and youth the opportunity to develop artistically, socially, emotionally and intellectually through the discipline of dance.  To deliver on that commitment, DIW operates a studio school, education outreach, the Youth Repertory Ensemble, and a professional dance company, Washington Reflections Dance Company.  Each of these programs uses dance education and performance to grant children and youth from diverse backgrounds a chance to experience the performing arts and develop important skills needed for a successful future--in dance and beyond.