This story is part of the Arts and Culture Reporting Corps, sponsored by the Springfield Regional Arts Council.
The Excellence in Arts Education Award at the Springfield Regional Arts Council’s Ozzie Awards — Oct. 14 at Springfield-Branson National Airport — will recognize an individual or organization providing transformational leadership in arts education through strategic initiatives, strong programming and the engagement of partners to achieve community goals.
The three nominees for 2023 each work tirelessly in shaping arts education at all stages — from elementary school programs to high school theatre productions, to teaching the next generation of arts educators at the college level.
This year’s Ozzie Award nominees for Excellence in Arts Education are Gretchen Teague, Niki Kiruki and Steve Willis.
Gretchen Teague
Gretchen Teague was nominated by a former student, maybe the best endorsement a teacher could get: “Once you have been her student, you will always be her student.”
Teague has been teaching English and drama at Central High School for more than 20 years, while also directing numerous community shows like the recent production of “Big Fish” at Springfield Contemporary Theatre.
Q: In what ways have your arts education programs helped to achieve community goals or address community needs?
G.T.: It is always a joy for me to work with former students as they continue to grow as artists. Their work as performers and technicians in local community productions fills me with so much joy that I got to be a small part of their journey.
Recently, several Central alumni and I created a place for playwrights and theatremakers to come together to create original performances. We have championed several staged readings of new scripts and are in the process of workshopping several more with the goal of creating a festival. Stay tuned!
Q: How have these programs or initiatives provided transformational experiences for learners?
G.T.: Of course, we create wonderful original and traditional theatre, but more importantly the goal is to create learners who are curious about the world around them and make connections far beyond the theatre.
One example I always point to is a Central graduate who told me as she entered her college program that her experiences in theatre gave her a unique perspective that other students didn’t have. Often I hear how students are grateful for the challenging material we approached together.
Niki Kiruki
As director of programs and prevention at Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, Niki Kiruki has advanced arts programming and grown partnerships that bring creative opportunities to area youth. Through therapeutic art, fashion design, film creation and music, youth members have gained access to unique arts experiences they might not otherwise have had outside the clubs.
This summer, members and staff worked together on a performance of “Matilda the Musical,” a first-time production of this scale.
Q: In what ways have your arts education programs helped to achieve community goals or address community needs?
N.K.: We pride ourselves in providing unique opportunities for our members that they would not have had otherwise. For our families, it can be financially difficult to provide their children with art opportunities such as dance lessons, art lessons, or even being a part of a theater program.
All of our programming is included in our membership and there are no extra fees for our arts programming. This gives all our members equal access to have a high-quality club experience through our arts programming.
Q: How have these programs or initiatives provided transformational experiences for learners?
N.K.: We hosted an end-of-the-summer arts showcase exhibiting all the work from our different art programs. This included our choir, fashion club, talent show winners, film club and drama club. We invited families, staff and board members to see all their hard work. This was a great experience for our members to be able to display their talents. I truly believe that daily we are providing transformational experiences for our members!
Steve Willis
Steve Willis has been part of the Art and Design Department at Missouri State University since 1999, where he teaches undergraduates how to teach the subject he loves. He also directs the annual High School Art Day that invites 20-plus area high schools to join the faculty for a series of studio processes.
In 2017, the National Art Education Association named him a Distinguished Fellow, and his scholarship is widely respected for bringing diverse cross-cultural and Indigenous perspectives into the field of art education.
Q: In what ways have your arts education programs helped to achieve community goals or address community needs?
S.W.: The faculty in the art education program spend considerable time in the community in many ways. I have conducted many college-level portfolio reviews to prepare local high school students to compete for prestigious school scholarships.
I consistently present at both the Missouri Art Education Association’s fall and spring conferences, as well as facilitating conference development where my art education students volunteer. I believe this is a strong professional development and community connection for both the art education students and practicing teachers.
Q: How have these programs or initiatives provided transformational experiences for learners?
S.W.: Happily, the rigor and intensity of the art education program train highly skilled teachers, and the program boasts 98-100% employment during student teaching or immediately after graduation.
The Cabot Gallery for Education through Art that I direct is a viable component to expand the educational experiences beyond the classroom and to embrace a community of student, practicing and professional artists.
Want to go?
What: The 38th Ozzie Awards
When: Saturday, Oct. 14; 5:30-6:30 p.m. cocktail reception; 6:30 dinner; 7-8:30 Ozzie Awards show
Where: Springfield-Branson National Airport
Tickets: Individual tickets, as well as tables, can be purchased through the Springfield Regional Arts Council’s Ozzie Awards website.
