History of NSAL
Option 1-The National Society of Arts and Letters (NSAL) has been around since 1944. The non-profit organization was founded in the summer of 1944 by Mollie Davis Nicholson and Francesca Nielsen in Chevy Chase, Maryland. It originally launched as a women's organization to support and discover exceptional young artists. Early on, the society gained significant prominence when First Lady Bess Truman hosted a grand reception at the White House to promote its mission While it began as a women's group, men were later admitted to the society and continue to play an active role in its mission. Today, the national volunteer network has expanded to 15 chapters across the United States. Over its history, it has supported thousands of young talents, including famous past scholarship recipients like actress Shirley MacLaine and opera singer Jessye Norman.
The organization continues to operate today, funding major national competitions and awarding substantial scholarships in disciplines like dance, music, drama, literature, and visual arts.
The NSAL Pittsburgh Chapter has been around since January 1966.
The local chapter was founded by Mrs. Leroy L. Lewis (who also served as its first president) and Mrs. John S. Tennant, II. For 60 years, the chapter has actively hosted regional competitions and provided critical financial aid and career opportunities to emerging artists in Western Pennsylvania across dance, drama, literature, music, and the visual arts.
The chapter was officially organized in January 1966 under the guidance of Mrs. Leroy L. Lewis (who served as the founding president) and Mrs. John S. Tennant, II. Just months after forming, the chapter hosted its very first local competition in piano. By May 1966, they sent their first regional winner to the National Competition in Washington, D.C.
One of the biggest milestones in the chapter's history occurred in May 1978, when Pittsburgh was selected to host the NSAL National Conference. The week-long event brought top artistic talent and patrons from across the country to Pittsburgh. The grand finale was held at the Carnegie Music Hall, featuring the National Career Awards Competition in Career Performance.
Distinguished Alumni & Winners
Over the decades, the Pittsburgh Chapter has been a launching pad for artists who went on to achieve national and international acclaim. A few notable names you might want to highlight on the history page include: Jessye Norman (Opera): While she won the National Career Award in 1968, her ties to the organization are a major point of pride. Byron Janis (Piano): The world-renowned classical pianist was an early, enthusiastic supporter of the Pittsburgh Chapter's musical endeavors. Local Icons: The chapter has consistently launched the careers of principal dancers for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, musicians for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and celebrated local visual artists.
option 2-The National Society of Arts and Letters Pittsburgh Chapter began its journey in January 1966 through the dedicated vision of Mrs. Leroy L. Lewis, its founding president, and Mrs. John S. Tennant, II. The chapter immediately made its mark on the community by hosting its first local piano competition just months after its inception, sending its very first regional winner to the national stage in Washington, D.C. This ambitious beginning set the tone for a legacy dedicated to discovering and elevating young creative minds in Western Pennsylvania.
Over the decades, the chapter became a pillar of the local arts scene, reaching a major milestone in May 1978 when it hosted the prestigious NSAL National Conference. This week-long event brought cultural leaders and young talent from across the country to Pittsburgh, culminating in a spectacular national competition at the historic Carnegie Music Hall. Today, the chapter remains deeply committed to its original 1966 mission, providing vital scholarships, mentorship, and career-launching opportunities to a diverse new generation of local dancers, musicians, actors, writers, and visual artists.
Option 3-Since its founding in January 1966 by Mrs. Leroy L. Lewis and Mrs. John S. Tennant, II, the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters has served as a vital catalyst for young artistic talent. The chapter found immediate success, organizing local competitions and sending representatives to the national level within its very first year. This foundational dedication to excellence paved the way for decades of advocacy, financial aid, and career development for emerging artists across the region.
The chapter’s national prominence was firmly cemented in May 1978, when it was selected to host the NSAL National Conference, bringing a massive celebration of the arts to the Carnegie Music Hall. For sixty years, the chapter has proudly nurtured artists who have gone on to join elite institutions, including the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. By continuing to fund essential scholarships and regional competitions, the organization honors its rich history while actively shaping the future of the Western Pennsylvania arts community.
Option 4-The National Society of Arts and Letters Pittsburgh Chapter was established in January 1966 by Mrs. Leroy L. Lewis and Mrs. John S. Tennant, II, with a shared vision to champion the region's finest young artists. The group immediately began hosting local competitions, creating an instant pathway for Western Pennsylvania talent to excel on a national stage.
A crowning moment in the chapter’s history arrived in May 1978, when Pittsburgh hosted the NSAL National Conference and held its grand finale at the Carnegie Music Hall. For six decades, the chapter has acted as a crucial launching pad for creators who have achieved national acclaim. Today, the organization proudly continues this legacy, offering the scholarships and professional support necessary to empower the next generation of classical and contemporary artists.