Awards/Recognition

Nominate Someone Today!

Now accepting nominations for 2025!

MAAE Gr. 3-12 Arts Advocacy Essay Contest

- Gr. 3-5 - Capri Cardwell - 5th Grade - (House Springs)
- Gr. 6-8 - Stevie Nichole Roberts - 6th grade (Grain Valley)
- Gr. 9-12 - Jack Turner - 9th grade - (Grain Valley)

Congratulations MAAE’s Award Recipients and Contest Winners - 2024

Government Advocate - State Representative Ingrid Burnett

Arts Ed Community Champion - Valerie Bell

Creativity and Innovation in Teaching - Michelle Howard

District of Excellence and Distinction - Parkway Schools - Jeff Lackey

MAAE Administrator of the Year - Dr. Bradley Ross

Leadership in Arts Education - Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven
National Student Art Advocate Award - Hayden Hawkins - (Rolla)

Nominations Open Now

2023 Honorees

Administrator of the Year Award - Joseph Casey, Principal - Clever High School, Clever R-V School District
Creativity and Innovation in Teaching Award - Allison Fleetwood, Theatre Teacher and Arts Integration Specialist, Nixa High School, Nixa Public Schools
School District of Distinction Award - Raytown C-2 School District Dr. Penelope Martin-Knox, Superintendent. Alex Kolster, Secondary Fine Arts Curriculum Coordinator.
Arts Education Community Champion Award - Carmen Guynn - St. Louis
Government Champion for Arts Education -Representative Brenda Shields - MO House District 11 - St. Joseph
National Student Arts Advocate Award -Kylie Brunkhorst - Rolla High School, Rolla, MO

Learn more about each of the MAAE Awards:

Nominate Today!

View the honorees from 2022-2023 - (5:28)

HIGHLIGHTING OUR 2023 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF DISTINCTION
RAYTOWN C-2

Previous Honorees

The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education award winners from the

2021-2022

Scroll down for award archival information.

2022 Virtual Awards celebration (4:44)

National Student Arts Advocate Award - 2022 - Peyton Lairmore, Owensville, MO - essay - Jessie Bayless, Gasconade Country R-2 School District
District of Excellence or Distinction in Arts Education - 2022

Potosi R-3 School District - Potosi, MO (Washington County) Alex McCaul, Superintendent

Administrator of the Year - 2022 - Aaron Money, Fine Arts Director, Liberty Public Schools
Creativity and Innovation in Teaching Award - 2022 -
Marty Strohmeyer, Department Chair, Visual and Fine Arts, Visitation Academy, St. Louis, MO
2022 Arts Education Community Champion - 2022 - Alison Schieber, President - Missouri Citizens for the Arts - St. Joseph, MO
Government Arts Champion - 2022 Representative Peter Meredith - St. Louis, MO - District 80
2022 Student Essay Contest
- Grade 3-5 - Caris Clary - Windsor Street Montessori Columbia, MO - Teachers: Brenda McDonald, Matt Hall (Dominic Marchack, Windsor Street Montessori, Honorable Mention)
- Grade 6-8 - Liam Reeves -Windsor Street Montessori Columbia, MO - Teachers: Brenda McDonald, Matt Hall (Lily Sherwood - Windsor Street Montessori - Honorable Mention)
- Grade 9-12 - Mallory Moats, Rolla High School, Connie Shoemaker, instructor

ABOUT THE PROGRAM - The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education supports and recognizes excellence in arts education in several ways. We work to support opportunities for student excellence including

all-state performance ensembles in theatre and music
visual art exhibits of exemplary student work
featured performances at Missouri's Fine Arts Education Day
student competitions in the areas of arts advocacy with prizes for both recipient and school.
advocacy work on behalf of the Missouri Fine Arts Academy and the Missouri Scholar's Academy

There are other opportunities to honor and recognize individuals for their contributions to arts education made by students, teachers, administrators, school buildings, school districts, elected officials, and community members.

Typically these honorees are recognized at the annual MAAE Fine Arts Education Day celebrations in Jefferson City at the state capitol building each spring.

Access more information about each of these using the links above and below - or by using the Submenu under "Programs" in the Submenu "Awards/Recognition" in the navigation bar.

Arts Ed Award Archive

Access here

Contests - Previous Winners

National Student Arts Advocate Award

DETAILS

View the 2021 Virtual Award Ceremony here (12 minutes)

MAAE National Student Arts Advocate Award

This annual award gives a Missouri high school arts student the opportunity to go to Washington, D. C. in the spring to participate in the annual Arts Advocacy Day, sponsored by Americans for the Arts. The contest for the award is open to all Missouri high school students who participate in at least one arts program and are in good standing at their school.

Previous Award Winners

2023 - Kylie Brunkhorst - Rolla, MO
2022 - Peyton Lairmore, Owensville, MO
2021 - Levi Baker, Junior, Bradleyville, MO essay
2020-Josie Johnson, Senior, Boonville HS
2020-Shawna Harris, Senior, Rolla HS
2019—Kaitlin Blue, John F Hodge HS, St. James
2018—Ally Butler, Mehlville HS, STL
2017—Ben Rauth and Kahlil Odums, Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, KC
2016—Danny Bitter, Mehlville HS, STL
2015—Madison Dodd, Winnetonka HS, KC
2014—Keely Jones, Smith Cotton HS, Sedalia

MAAE Student Video Awards

DETAILS

MAAE Student Video Contest

The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) is looking for future filmmakers, media moguls or roving TV reporters to enter a student video contest highlighting the importance of arts education in Missouri schools. The MAAE is dedicated to showing why it is important to have fine arts instruction in every school, for every child, every day. We draw attention to the creative skills the arts develop in students of all ages and backgrounds. Through this contest, students join in the Alliance's advocacy mission and display, through video, why the arts are a vital part of education at every level.

Previous Award Winners

MAAE Student Essay Contest

DETAILS

MAAE Gr. 3-12 Student Essay Contest

Students in grades 3-12 are invited to participate in the MAAE Fine Arts Education Day Essay Contest. A student may choose one of the following topics for the essay:

How has music, visual art, dance (if it is offered in your school as a class) or drama (theatre) influenced you or your life as a student?
Why is it important for every school to provide instruction in the arts to every child every day?

Previous Award Winners

2023 -

Grade 6-8 Ava Isaacson - Grain Valley North Middle School (Blue Springs)
honorable mention) - Jack Turner Grain Valley South Middle School

2022 -

Grade 3-5 - Caris Clary - Windsor Street Montessori Columbia, MO - Teachers: Brenda McDonald, Matt Hall (Dominic Marchack, Windsor Street Montessori, Honorable Mention)
Grade 6-8 - Liam Reeves -Windsor Street Montessori Columbia, MO - Teachers: Brenda McDonald, Matt Hall (Lily Sherwood - Windsor Street Montessori - Honorable Mention)
Grade 9-12 - Mallory Moats, Rolla High School, Connie Shoemaker, instructor
2021-contest on hiatus - Recognition for essays in support of arts ed for students from Trinity Lutheran School, Orchard Farm - St. Charles County
2020-Willow Garwood, 10th grade student at Calvary Lutheran HS in Jefferson City, Teacher William Schatte, Theatre
2019—No award given
2018—Evelyn Neal, Van Horn HS, Independence
2017—No award given
2016—Madisyn Cornell, Milan HS
2015—Delaney Lawson, Rolla HS, Mackensi Killbreth, South Valley Middle School, Liberty

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2021 Student Essay Contest

Contest on hiatus - special recognition for essays from Trinity Lutheran School - K. Chapin, instructor

MAAE Awards Previous Winners

MAAE Schools or Districts of Excellence or Distinction Awards

DETAILS

MAAE Schools or DISTRICTS of Excellence or DISTINCTION Awards

This award recognizes schools that have done an outstanding job of making the arts essential to the education of their students. The awards provide an important opportunity to honor schools and the role they play in providing a creative learning environment for outstanding student achievement.

Previous Award Winners

2023 - Raytown C-2 School District - Dr. Penelope Martin-Brown Superintendent
2022 Potosi R-3 School District - Alex McCaul, superintendent
2021 Independence School District, Dr. Dale Herl, superintendent

MAAE MAAE Creativity and Innovation in Teaching Award

DETAILS

MAAE Creativity and Innovation in Teaching Award

The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education recognizes a fine arts educator for creativity and innovation in teaching a visual or performing arts class. Students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members may nominate a teacher for this award. Recipients are typically honored at the annual MAAE Fine Arts Education Day at the State Capitol.

Previous Award Winners

2023 - Allison Fleetwood, Nixa, School District
2022 - Marty Strohmeyer - Visitation Academy
2021 - Kathy Hahn, elementary music Fox C-6 School District
2020—Blake Richter, Music Teacher, Inman Intermediate School, Nixa
2019—Clayton Noltkamper, Art Teacher, John F. Hodge HS, St. James
2018—No award given
2017—No award given
2016—Connie Shoemaker, Art Teacher, Rolla HS
2015-- Sara Given, Theatre Teacher, Mexico HS
2014—Velicia Daniels, Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, KC
2013—David Luby, Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, KC

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2021 Creativity and Innovation in Teaching Award

Kathy Hahn, Elementary Vocal/General Music, Fox C-6 School District

MAAE Arts Education Community Champion Award

DETAILS

MAAE Arts Education Community Champion

This award recognizes a community member who is not a staff member at a school who has supported an arts education program in a special and meaningful way. The candidate can be nominated by students, teachers, administrators, or other community members. A nomination letter no longer than 500 words should describe the person’s actions and attributes that have contributed to that arts program success. Please send the email no later than January 31st to director@moaae.org.

Previous Award Winners

2023 - Carmen Guynn (St. Louis)
2022 Alison Schieber (St. Joseph)
2021 Marie Nau Hunter (Columbia)

MAAE Administrator of the Year Award

DETAILS

MAAE Administrator of the Year Award

MAAE has developed an awards program to recognize an outstanding school administrator who shows tremendous support for fine arts education and fine arts educators. Send an e-mail to director@moaae.org telling us why your nominee deserves this award. The deadline for nominations is January 31st.

Previous Award Winners

2023 - Joseph Casey, Clever R-V Schools
2022 - Aaron Money, Liberty Public Schools, Liberty, MO
2021 - Michelle Ridlen - Francis Howell School District
2020—Dr. Jeremy Tucker, Superintendent, Liberty Public Schools, Liberty
2019—No award given
2018—No award given
2017—No award given
2016—Aaron Money, Liberty Public Schools, Liberty

MAAE State Government Advocate for Arts Education Award

DETAILS

MAAE State Government Advocate for Arts Education Award

MAAE recognizes the contributions of both elected and appointed governmental advocates for the arts. Nominees are to have demonstrated consistent and committed support for arts education in Missouri. The winners will be nominated by the MAAE Board, however, suggestions for potential winners are always welcome. The winner will be recognized at Fine Arts Education Day in March.

Previous Award Winners

2023 - Representative Brenda Shields, District 11, St. Joseph, MO
2022 - Representative Peter Meredith, District 70, St. Louis, MO
2021 - Julie Hale, Missouri Arts Council, St. Louis, MO

MAAE and MSBA School District of Distinction in Arts Education Award

DETAILS

MAAE & MSBA
School District of Distinction in Arts Education Award Award

This award has been temporarily suspended.

MAAE and partner organization the Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA) School District of Distinction in Arts Education award is presented to a Missouri school board that has demonstrated support for and commitment to high-quality arts education. Nominee districts include high-quality fine arts education in their district programming in music, dance, theatre and visual arts. The winning school district, collaboratively chosen by the MAAE and MSBA, receives a plaque for display in the district.

Previous Award Winners