MAAE Awards Program
MAAE Awards Program
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In addition to recognizing student excellence and MAAE also recognizes contributions to arts education made by teachers, administrators, school buildings, school districts, elected officials, and community members. These honorees are recognized at the annual MAAE Fine Arts Education Day celebrations at the State Capitol each spring.
For more information about our awards contact MAAE Awards Coordinator: Rachel Johnson at awards@moaae.org
View Previous Winners
All Awards and Contests open for entry September 1, 2025.
The deadline to enter all Awards and Contests is December 1, 2025.
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.
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This award is presented to individual schools that have arts education programs that include two or more of the following components:
1. teach music, art, theatre and, where applicable, dance as specific disciplines;
2. provide imaginative learning environments;
3. include parental involvement;
4. promote learning about other cultures; and
5. encourage community connections.
If you have questions, please contact MAAE Award Coordinator, Rachel Johnson at awards@moaae.org
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Creativity and Innovation in Teaching Award
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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.
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Creativity and Innovation in Teaching Award
Tap Here to Nominate
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.
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The 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 classes in Missouri. Students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members may nominate a teacher for this award.
The criteria for this award includes a description of the way in which the nominee demonstrate new and innovative approaches toward teaching which may include the use of technology, connections or utilization of community resources, and/or extraordinary creativity in working with students. To help gain a more complete picture of the nominee's creative and innovative qualities, we suggest uploading two additional letters of support for the nominee which specify the ways that creativity and innovative practices are in use.
Please include within the text of your nomination a consideration of the following:
1. Why do you think the teacher you are nominating should receive this award?
2. Provide at least one example of creative and innovative teaching by the teacher.
3. Please upload two letters of support for the nominee which provide a detailed example of the nominee's creativity and innovative practices.
If you have questions, please contact MAAE Award Coordinator, Rachel Johnson at awards@moaae.org
Arts Education Community Champion Award
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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.
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Arts Education Community Champion Award
Tap Here to Nominate
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.
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If you have questions, please contact MAAE Award Coordinator, Rachel Johnson at awards@moaae.org
Nominate Now Here
Administrator of the Year Award
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MAAE has developed an awards program to recognize an outstanding school administrator who shows tremendous support for fine arts education and fine arts educators. In your nomination, tell us why your nominee deserves this award.
Administrator of the Year Award
Tap Here to Nominate
MAAE has developed an awards program to recognize an outstanding school administrator who shows tremendous support for fine arts education and fine arts educators. In your nomination, tell us why your nominee deserves this award.
Tap to learn more
Tap to learn more
If you have questions, please contact MAAE Award Coordinator, Rachel Johnson at awards@moaae.org
Nominate Now Here
State Government Advocate for Arts Education Award
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MAAE recognizes two government officials each year—one elected and one appointed—who 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.
State Government Advocate for Arts Education Award
Tap Here to Nominate
MAAE recognizes two government officials each year—one elected and one appointed—who 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.
Tap to learn more
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If you have questions, please contact MAAE Award Coordinator, Rachel Johnson at awards@moaae.org
Nominate Now Here
MAAE Student Contests
MAAE Student Contests
Student Arts Ambassador Award
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MAAE Student Arts Ambassador Award gives a Missouri high school arts student the opportunity to serve as a Student Arts Ambassador in a mini internship, by attending FY26 events promoting arts education in the State of Missouri. The contest for this 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.
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Student Arts Ambassador Award
Tap Here to Enter
MAAE Student Arts Ambassador Award gives a Missouri high school arts student the opportunity to serve as a Student Arts Ambassador in a mini internship, by attending FY26 events promoting arts education in the State of Missouri. The contest for this 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.
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ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
We are now accepting applications for the MAAE Student Arts Ambassador Award. Open to Missouri students age 14 and up who participate in at least one arts education program, and who are students in good standing. The winner will participate in MAAE statewide arts education initiatives of Show-Me Arts and Fine Arts Education Day.
REQUIREMENTS
To enter the MAAE Student Arts Ambassador Essay contest - the requirements are as follows:
1. Submit the following four documents:
A one-page resume that demonstrates work in the student’s chosen field of the arts and any arts education work the student has done.
A letter of recommendation from one of the student’s arts teachers (only one, please)
An essay not to exceed 500 words on this topic— "Why Arts Education is important in Missouri.” All essay submissions will be reviewed for plagiarism and AI generated content.**
A 30 second video (or less) reading the final paragraph of your essay.
The application form signed by candidate, parent(s) and school officials confirming permission to travel and miss school while attending student ambassador events.
2. The student must also register for and participate in the Show-Me Arts Summit events. Click here to View SMarts details here.
3. The award ceremony will occur in Jefferson City at the annual Fine Arts Education Day celebration. Award winners are invited to officially receive that honor.
When all five elements of the application are ready:
Submit Entry Here
Student Content Creator Contest
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MAAE is looking for student Content Creators in grades 3-12 dedicated to showing why it is important to have fine arts instruction in every school, for every child, every day. Include highlights of the creative skills developed through the arts in students of all ages and backgrounds. This contest offers student content creators the opportunity to join in our advocacy mission and display why the arts are a vital part of education at every level.
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Student Content Creator Contest
Tap Here to Enter
MAAE is looking for student Content Creators in grades 3-12 dedicated to showing why it is important to have fine arts instruction in every school, for every child, every day. Include highlights of the creative skills developed through the arts in students of all ages and backgrounds. This contest offers student content creators the opportunity to join in our advocacy mission and display why the arts are a vital part of education at every level.
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The content creation winners will be recognized at Fine Arts Education Day.
The winner will receive a $50 prize and be acknowledged at Fine Arts Education Day at the State Capitol. An additional prize of $50, will be awarded to the teacher of a winning student entry.
Suggested formats include personal stories of the benefits of arts education, public service announcements, news stories or music videos. Videos only need to be 10-30 seconds in length. Copyrighted material must be attributed in the video.
Videos may be initially submitted via googleform or a YouTube link.
For more information about video content and how to submit an entry, contact Contest Coordinator Rachel Johnson at awards@moaae.org
Student Essay Contests have been retired. For more information contact: Rachel Johnson at awards@moaae.org
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