President Barack Obama today presented the National Medal of Arts to ten recipients for their outstanding achievements and support of the arts. The medals were presented by the president and Mrs. Michelle Obama in an East Room ceremony at the White House. The National Medal of Arts is a White House initiative managed by the National Endowment for the Arts. Each year, the NEA organizes and oversees the National Medal of Arts nomination process and notifies the artists of their selection to receive a medal, the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence.

On January 24, 2010, a few weeks after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Key West's artists and creative community came together for Souls Not Lost: A Fundraiser for Haiti's Survivors. The event was held at The Studios of Key West, and after less than a week of organizing, raised over $25,000 for relief and recovery organization, Partners in Health.

Through its Fund for Displaced Artists, the Vermont Studio Center will fund two month-long residencies for Haitian artists and writers in 2010. These awards honor Flo McGarrell, son of longtime VSC Visiting Artist and friend James McGarrell, who was killed in Haiti's recent earthquake while in the art center where he worked.

How far has Arab literature evolved, how far has it travelled? What messages are the new generation of storytellers giving us?

Beirut39 inspires a fresh look at modern Arab literature. A collaboration between the Hay Festival and Beirut World Capital of the Book 2009, the project will bring together 39 of the most interesting writers of Arab heritage under 39 years of age.

National Service Organizations to Recognize Joan Mitchell Foundation With Creative Leadership Award

The Alliance of Artists Communities and the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) will co-present a Creative Leadership Award to The Joan Mitchell Foundation on Saturday, November 14, 2009, in New Orleans.