Press Release Arsht Center unveils Arsht Art of Education Champion Award and presents it to Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho
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ARSHT CENTER UNVEILS
ARSHT ART OF EDUCATION CHAMPION AWARD
AND PRESENTS IT TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ALBERTO CARVALHO
Miami, FL – February 8, 2022 – The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County unveiled its Arsht Art of Education Champion Award with a presentation on February 3 to its first recipient, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools Alberto Carvalho. The award recognizes the extensive, decade-long partnership between the Arsht Center and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) that has brought free, high-quality arts experiences to more than 500,000 students.
The Arsht Art of Education Champion Award was presented during a premiere performance at Hialeah Senior High School of the Arsht Center’s play I am Me. Imagined, produced and presented by the Arsht Center, the premiere of I am Me marked the culmination of a joint commitment by the Arsht Center and MDCPS to provide every fifth, seventh and ninth grader with age-appropriate arts education opportunities hosted by the Arsht Center. Additional information about I am Me can be found here.
“Our partnership with the Adrienne Arsht Center has provided a cultural passport for thousands of Miami-Dade students over the course of their scholastic career,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho. “I am Me is the culmination of a partnership, which began in 2010, as a commitment to provide every 5th, 7th and 9th grader live theater performances. Together, we are building the next generation of arts lovers and supporters. I am honored to accept the inaugural Arsht Art of Education Champion Award on behalf of all the students who have benefited from this long-standing collaboration and those who will be helped by this ground-breaking mental health and wellness initiative.”
“Superintendent Carvalho has truly embodied the word “champion” with his steadfast commitment to providing life-affirming arts experiences to Miami-Dade children through the partnership with the Arsht Center,” said Jairo Ontiveros, the Arsht Center’s vice president of arts education and community engagement. “It is perfectly fitting, especially as he concludes his service in this community, that we celebrate his leadership in support of cultural experiences for all children.”
The Arsht Art of Education Champion Award will continue to honor individuals who use the arts to positively affect the lives of young people and, in turn, create a brighter future for the entire community. These individuals will be powerful voices from all corners of the South Florida community who advocate for and recognize the impact that arts education has on the overall education and social-emotional well-being of children and young people. By recognizing individuals who have dedicated their time and expertise to arts education, the Adrienne Arsht Center hopes to inspire other individuals to champion the arts as a tool for creative youth development and positive social change in our community.
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