Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education 

 CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) is seeking nominees for the 2006 Arts Education Awards. Awards will be presented during an Arts Education Recognition Session at the 2006 TRAIN Conference, Tuesday, June 6, at the Ford Center at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. A reception in honor of recipients will be held following the program. Awards recipients will also be recognized at local celebrations prior to the June date.

 Please help us recognize an individual, a school, or an institution that has demonstrated exemplary achievement by submitting a nomination in one of the following award categories:

 h Schools of Excellence/District Arts Program Award    g
Six state winners may advance to national arts education award programs

 h Thad Cochran Distinguished Arts Educator Award    g
K-12 Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Art teachers, and teachers who integrate the arts are eligible

 h Outstanding Administrator of the Year    g
Awarded to a school district or school administrator demonstrating arts education leadership

 h Excellence in Higher Education Award    g
Awarded to an individual, a department, or institution demonstrating arts education leadership

h Exemplary Arts Service Award    g
MAAE members, individual volunteers, college faculty, businesses, and arts organizations are eligible

 h Distinguished Community Arts Agency/ g
Cultural Institution Program Award
Arts Councils, Museums, Cultural Institutions/Community Arts Education Programs are eligible

 h Lifetime Achievement in Arts Education Award    g
Awarded to an individual whose contributions to arts education span a lifetime

Please Note: Award recipients or a representative must be present at the June 6, 2006 Arts Education General Session during the TRAIN Conference in Oxford to receive the award.

 NOMINATION PROCESS

 Teachers, administrators and program/institution leaders may nominate themselves or their own programs, or others may nominate them. Each award category requires a completed nomination form, a narrative that answers several questions, and supporting documents. A completed nomination form and supporting documents must be postmarked by Friday, April 21, 2006.

SELECTION PROCESS

An awards panel that includes representatives from across the state will review and evaluate all nominations submitted by the deadline. The recipient will be notified about selection by May 8, 2006. All other nominees will receive written notification once the awards have been publicly announced. Only complete applications will be considered. Requests for the return of nomination materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed return mail package that includes adequate postage. 

AWARDS  CATEGORIES  AND  CRITERIA

 h Schools of Excellence/School District    g
 Arts Program Award

To recognize and honor individual schools or school districts that make the arts an essential part of education by:

1)     teaching the arts as specific disciplines;
2)     making strong interdisciplinary connections between the arts and other subjects;
3)     promoting imaginative learning environments that include hands-on, creative arts-based instructional practices;
4)     providing opportunities for multicultural learning through the arts.

Up to six awards are made annually, providing that a sufficient pool of nominees is available.

 h Thad Cochran Distinguished Arts Educator Award    g

To honor Pre K-12 arts discipline specialists and teachers who integrate the arts for:

1)     superior teaching, including evidence of strong interdisciplinary planning;
2)     professional involvement and leadership beyond the classroom;
3)     ability to communicate effectively about arts education.

One award is made annually in dance, music, theatre, visual art and arts integration providing that a sufficient pool of nominees is available in each discipline.

 h Outstanding Administrator Award    g

To honor a superintendent, principal, curriculum coordinator, or project director for:

1)     demonstrating support for, and commitment to high quality arts education programs;
2)     active advocacy for the arts and excellent rapport with students, teachers, parents, and the community;
3)     outstanding leadership in motivating teachers, other administrators, school boards, parents and community organizations to provide the best possible education—one that includes the arts—for all students.

One award is made annually, providing that a sufficient pool of nominees is available.

h Excellence in Higher Education Award    g

To honor individuals, departments and/or institutions in higher education for:

1)     superior teaching, including evidence of arts education leadership or research;
2)     professional activity and leadership beyond the local campus;
3)     evidence of modeling best practices of arts education through teacher education courses and programs

One award is made annually, providing that a sufficient pool of nominees is available.

 h Exemplary Arts Service Award    g

To honor a MAAE member or organization that demonstrates outstanding achievement, service or contribution to arts education in Mississippi. To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be a member of MAAE. In addition, the nominee must have worked in the field of arts education for at least 5 years while demonstrating some of the following: 

1)     active participation in the development of or support for arts programs, (e.g., artist residencies in the schools, summer arts camps, after school programs);
2)     leadership in developing partnerships between schools and the community for use of cultural resources such as visits to cultural institutions, organizations, and events (art museums, concerts, and performances of opera, dance, theatre, etc.);
3)     advocacy for the arts and arts-in-education at the school district, community, regional or state levels;
4)     financial or in-kind support of arts programs in a school district.

One award is made annually and bestowed only when there is a candidate worthy of recognition. The MAAE Board of Directors upon recommendation by the Alliance Awards Committee will select the award recipient.

 h Distinguished Community Arts Agency/  g
 Cultural Institution Program Award

To honor a community arts agency or cultural institution that has been in operation at least five years and has made significant contributions to teachers, students and the community through arts programs and collaborative partnerships that:

1)     stimulate community support for the arts and arts education in the schools and community;
2)     demonstrate models of partnering with schools, other cultural institutions, and/or the business community to develop arts programs for youth and adults;
3)     serve as a resource to schools or community arts organizations and provide services to facilitate the production of arts events performed by students.

One award is made annually, providing that a sufficient pool of nominees is available. 

 h Lifetime Achievement in Arts Education Award    g

To honor individuals for:

1)     consistently making outstanding contributions to arts education throughout a career
2)     advocacy for arts education throughout a career
3)     professional activity and leadership in arts education beyond the occupational setting

One award is made annually, providing that a sufficient pool of nominees is available.  

 Nomination Form and Supporting Materials

Please include the following items (required) with the nomination form:

1) A nomination form and cover letter stating the qualifications of the nominee.
2) A narrative document (two page limit) that describes how the nominee fulfills the stated criteria.
3) A current vita (for individual award nominees only).
4) Three letters of recommendation from individuals such as:

•  current school district Superintendent or Chief Executive Officer;

• immediate supervisor (such as dance, music, theatre, visual art, or classroom supervisor, or another administrator familiar with your teaching or work);

• one person of your choice who is knowledgeable about your teaching or work.

Please include the following supporting documents (suggested, not required):

1) Enclose one copy each of:

• brochures, programs or articles related to or about teaching or programs; and/or

• a maximum of 6 photographs and/or slides highlighting student accomplishments or work;

• five minutes of edited video or audiotape of your students’ or your own work.

2) Enclose additional letters of support from colleagues, parents, current or former students and/or community representatives.

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Blank nomination forms with a list of supporting materials may be obtained from this website by clicking here (MS Word Document) or here for pdf format.

Send nomination form and supporting materials to:

Lola Norris, MAAE Executive Director
101 Carrie Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39402

E-mail: Lola.Norris@usm.edu

Phones:
(601) 268-6996 (home)
(601) 296-9929 (fax)

Nomination deadline: Friday, April 21, 2006
 

Please share this information with:

Arts Teachers, Principals, Administrators, School Committees, Arts Advocates, Higher Education Faculty, Local Museums, Cultural Institutions and Community Arts Programs

 
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