The competitions are designed to offer exposure for young artists who want to be heard and seen by professional critics, managers, producers, teachers, the media, and patrons of the arts.
During its history, the competitions organized by the NSAL have benefitted Oscar-winning actress and dancer Shirley MacLaine and international opera star Jessye Norman among others.
In 1998, non-citizens were permitted full membership privileges, thereby extending a more inviting, inclusive image to the organization.
[1][4] On October 21, 1944, they met at the home of the future first National President, Mollie Davis Nicholson, to found a group that specified it was non-partisan, non-political and non-profit-making.
By this time, eight chapters had been formed: Washington, D.C., Chicago, Florida, Colorado, North Dakota, California, Texas and Kentucky.
[1] As growth continued, Francesca Falk Miller Nielsen, the second National President, introduced and edited the newsletter.
Part of the National competitions are the master classes conducted by judges in each art category.
The principal of the Fund remains intact while the income is used to provide awards each year in one of the six rotating art categories which NSAL highlights in its National Competition.
Supported by an endowment from Shirley Rabb Winston, these scholarships are used for special study in the recipient's field.
Notable recipients of NSAL awards have included Malcolm Frager (pianist),[3] Shirley MacLaine (actor),[1] Jessye Norman (opera singer; winner of a NSAL contest),[1] Menahem Pressler (Gold Medal of Merit from the National Society of Arts and Letters),[5] George Balanchine (1980 Gold Medal of Merit recipient[6]