ARTS EDUCATION AWARDS


The Arts Education Awards is a distinguished annual event held by Monmouth Arts to honor and acknowledge the power of arts education in Monmouth County. At the ceremony, Monmouth Arts gives out four Arts Education Awards and three Emerging Artist Scholarships while guests enjoy exciting student performances and light refreshments.
2023 PHOTO GALLERY
2023 Arts Education Awards Ceremony
Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Bungalow Lounge Hotel, Pier Village
50 Laird Street, Long Branch, NJ
2023 Award Recipients
Community Champion of Arts Education Award - Organization
A community organization or individual that has worked diligently to educate and/or advocate for the arts and expand the reach and impact of arts education.
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
Community Champion of Arts Education Award - Individual
An outstanding art leader that supports and advocates for educational arts programming in their community.
Kelly Barratt
Assistant Director, Center for the Arts at Monmouth University
Outstanding Educator in Visual Arts Award
An educator in a Monmouth County program (either a public or private school) who inspires young students each day through their dedication to the arts and educating our emerging artists.
Scott Napolitano
Video Production Teacher, Fine & Performing Arts Program, Howell High School
Outstanding Educator in Performing Arts Award
An educator in a Monmouth County program (either a public or private school) who inspires young students each day through their dedication to the arts and educating our emerging artists.
Lawrence Edwards
Dance Educator & Performing Arts Coordinator, Shore Regional High School & Monmouth University
MC² Scholarship for the Performing Arts
Sponsored by MC² Funding the Arts
William Blake
Red Bank Regional High School
Monmouth Arts Young Musical Artist Scholarship
Sponsored by Monmouth Arts
Samantha Yannarelli
Saint John Vianney High School
Emerging Artist Scholarship for Literary Arts
Sponsored by Sarah Fischell
Ryan Sickles
Red Bank Regional High School
Victoria J. Snoy Memorial Scholarship for the Arts
Sponsored by Sarah Fischell
Ashley Soriano
Long Branch High School
PAST HONOREES

2022 HONOREES
Community Arts Education Organization
Domenica Donna Como, Color Chips
Arts Organization Advocate Leader
Jeremy Martin, Long Branch Public Schools
Outstanding Educators in Visual Art and Performing Arts
Brittany James, Inspired Minds Fine Arts School and art629 Gallery
Dr. Michael Penna, Ph.D., Collier High School

2021 HONOREES
Community Arts Education Organization
Middletown Arts Center
Arts Organization Leaders
John Dias, Michael Hurst, & Kate Cordaro, Two River Theater
Community Champion of the Arts
Dr. Ryan Brandau, Monmouth Civic Chorus
Arts Education Advocate
Norma Tolliver, Main Ave Galleria
Outstanding Educators in Visual Art and Performing Arts
Jill Alexander, Wall High School
Cindy Dwyer, Mater Dei Prep
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2019 HONOREES
Community Arts Education Organization
Two River Theater
Arts Organization Leader
Bruce Gallipani, Rockit Live! Foundation
Community Champion of the Arts
Nicholas & Shayne Mishoe, Company of Dance Arts
Arts Education Advocate
Heather Brown Cadalzo, Inspired Minds Fine Art School
Outstanding Educators in Visual and Performing Arts
Kate Okeson, Rumson-Fair Haven High Regional High School
Benjamin Ringer, New Jersey State Youth Orchestra

2018 HONOREES
Community Arts Education Organization
Jennifer Chauhan & Allison Tevald, Project Write Now
Arts Organization Leader
Mark Hyczko, Freehold Downtown Concert Series
Community Champion of the Arts
Michelle Burrell, Asbury Park Technical Academy of Dance
Arts Education Advocate
July Nagy, Algonquin Arts Theatre
Outstanding Educators in Visual and Performing Arts
Tonya Lee, Art Instructor, Monmouth University
Eric Gross, Music Educator, Freehold High School

2016 HONOREES
Community Arts Education Organization
Belmar Arts Center
Arts Organization Leader
David Levy & Leslie Backlund, Co-Presidents, Guild of Creative Art
Community Champion of the Arts
Sarah Hilton, Arts Educator, Oasis
Arts Education Advocate
Richard McKenna, Senior Vice President of Sales, Hatteras
Outstanding Educators in Visual and Performing Arts
Judy Raybon, Visual Arts Educator, Collier Youth Services
Gerald Romano, Director of Bands, Monmouth Regional High School