SAN JOSE, CA -- 04/08/08 --
The City of San Jose's Office of Cultural
Affairs has announced the winners of the 2008 Champions of Arts Education
Awards.
The 2008 winners are: Peter Gelfand, artistic director of the San Jose
String Quartet & Chamber Players, for arts education efforts in Evergreen
Elementary and San Jose Unified School Districts; Rosalia Guillen-Novotny,
dance and folklorico teacher, Lincoln High School, San Jose Unified School
District; Kristin Steenberg, visual and performing arts lead teacher, Oak
Grove School District, and Kathryn Longtin, parent volunteer, Allen at
Steinbeck School, San Jose Unified School District.
The awards honor exemplary educators, administrators, parents, schools and
partners who champion high quality arts education programs in San Jose's
public schools.
"I salute the Champion of Arts Education Award winners. Their work in San
Jose public schools serves as a model for other educators," said San Jose
Mayor Chuck Reed. "Arts education incubates creativity, helping ensure
that our next generation of innovators has the skills necessary to compete
globally and participate in Silicon Valley's growing creative industries
sector."
Envisioned by San Arts Commissioner Lisa Gonzales, the Champions of Arts
Education Awards promote efforts that have contributed to enhancing arts
education in schools while also maintaining important political and
educational momentum.
"The award recipients all have made extraordinary contributions to arts
education in San Jose. Their work has had a positive and indelible impact
on our youth and serves to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. On
behalf of the Arts Commission, we applaud Commissioner Gonzales for taking
the Champions of Arts Education Awards from dream to reality," said Sharon
Gustafson, chair, San Jose Arts Commission.
About the Office of Cultural Affairs
The Office of Cultural Affairs is a unit of the City's Office of Economic
Development. Together, we foster cultural and economic development as
related strategies for continuing to build San Jose as the cultural and
economic heart of Silicon Valley. The Office of Cultural Affairs
coordinates services for a large number of outdoor events and festivals,
offers a variety of financial support opportunities for arts and culture
providers, supports arts education, and leads the development of public art
works throughout the city. The Office of Cultural Affairs also provides
staff support for the San Jose Arts Commission, a 13-member citizen
advisory body appointed by the City Council. For more information, please
visit, www.sanjoseculture.org.
About the City of San Jose's Office of Economic Development
The City of San Jose's Office of Economic Development (OED) is committed to
a vital, competitive San Jose economy that increases prosperity for people
and companies and enhances City revenues. The Office guides the City's
economic strategy, provides assistance for business success, helps connect
employers with trained workers, and provides art and cultural resources to
our community. For more information, please visit, www.sjeconomy.com.
About the City of San Jose
From its founding in 1777 as California's first city, San Jose has been a
leader, driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San Jose stands as the
largest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley --
the world's leading center of innovation. The city, the 10th largest in the
U.S., is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business, work,
live, play and learn. For more information, visit, www.sanjoseca.gov.
Contact
Steven Brewster
(408) 535-8168
San Jose Office of Economic Development
Email Contact
