David Hays '52, founder of the National Theatre of the Deaf and a Broadway set designer, will receive the 1999 Harvard Arts Medal.

"I'm flattered and pleased and frankly, I'm enjoying it enormously," Hays said in a press release.

The University's Council on the Arts chooses the medal recipient.

"[The medal] is given to a graduate or Faculty member who contributed to the arts in some special way," said Katharine Kinderman, spokesperson for the Office of the Arts.

Hays will be the fifth recipient of the medal. Previous medal winners include John Updike '54, Bonnie Raitt '72, Pete Seeger '40 and Jack Lemmon '47.

Those participating in the ARTS FIRST weekend praised the choice of Hays.

"I think it is exciting and timely that Harvard is acknowledging those people in the community who have made unique and personal creative statements," said Thomas Everett, director of the Harvard University Bands.

Everett said the medal and the weekend focus much-needed attention on the arts at Harvard.

"Often arts are not acclaimed by the community at large, through the Arts medal and ARTS FIRST it gives everyone an opportunity to focus on the arts," Everett said.

Hays' credits include directing the National Theatre of the Deaf until 1996. The Theatre features an acting company composed of deaf and hearing actors. Their shows combine sign language and spoken words.

In addition to his work with the National Theatre of the Deaf, Hays has also won awards for his Broadway set and lighting designs.

Hays is also a prize-winning sailor and best-selling author, and he is now working on a book titled Today I am a Boy, about his Bar Mitzvah at age 67.

This year's ARTS FIRST festival will run from May 6 to May 9. ARTS FIRST is an annual four-day festival sponsored by Harvard's Board of Overseers that showcases students and Faculty in the arts.

ARTS FIRST was started in 1993 by "Third Rock From the Sun" star John Lithgow '67.

The weekend features a parade through Harvard Square, museum exhibits and performances by numerous dance and theater groups.