Vacation Poems

A cream hat is sitting on two suitcases on the beach
Experience the essence of summer through poems that thoughtfully capture the themes of relaxation, travel, and seasonal escape

From Draft to Spotlight: How the NEA’s Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge Nurtures Young Talent

A group of teenagers smile and pose in front of a sign for the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge. They each hold a binder with their name and the name of their winning song.

The winners of the 2025 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge. Photo by Addie Symonds

The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, a National Endowment for the Arts initiative with NAMT, is more than a competition—it’s an educational experience offering students mentorship, musical coaching, and career-shaping exposure.