National Society of Arts and LettersThe hallmark of NSAL is its National Awards Competition which is held each year in one of the following categories: art (visual), dance, drama, literature, music (voice), music (instrument) and musical theater. Participants in the National Awards Competition compete at the local chapter level for a series of monetary awards. First-place winners of the local chapter competitions are sent to the NSAL National Competition which is held each spring during the Society’s annual meeting. Participants in the National Competition compete for a first place award of $10,000, and a series of other awards that can total another $10,000 or more.