Begun in 1985, the Prelude Awards were annual awards made to Marion County high school students in the visual, performing, and fine arts. The awards were sponsored by the , (TCM), and The Children’s Museum Guild.
, director of TCM between 1982 and 1999, was instrumental in initiating the program. The program identified, encouraged, and rewarded students who exhibited great potential in dance, instrumental music, literature, theater, visual arts, and vocal music.
Marion County high schools nominated students in each of the six disciplines. After preliminary judging at the at , finalists performed at a public competition at TCM. Judges included both locally and nationally known artists. Six students—one from each arts discipline—received $2,000 scholarships sponsored by local corporations and private donors.
In June of each year through 2009, TCM sponsored the Prelude Academy. The top 16 students in each of the six arts areas from the preliminary round were invited to attend a one-week, non-competitive arts experience. Students took part in workshops and discussions with practicing artists, attended cultural events, and met with local artists in their work environments.
In 2009, The Children’s Museum turned the program over to the Indiana Association of School Principals. The program ended after 2011.
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