Award Recognizes Excellence in Arts Education Leadership
CAP is pleased to announce the launch of the Principal of the Arts Award, a recognition of excellence in arts education leadership developed in partnership with the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) and UNF’s Florida Data Science for Social Good (FL-DSSG).
“The arts have a unique power to engage students in learning, unlocking creativity and inspiring them to persevere to reach their full potential. Principals who prioritize the arts are paving the way for their students to succeed in school and beyond,” said Rev. Kimberly Hyatt, CEO & President of CAP. “The Principal of the Arts award honors these visionary leaders for creating schools where the arts ignite curiosity, foster academic achievement and transform lives.”
The award was created as part of a collective impact strategy for evaluation and feedback, developed as a comprehensive assessment system and roadmap for schools. Utilizing data from CAP’s Landscape of Education in the Arts in Duval (LEAD) surveys—designed for school principals to share their successes, challenges and growth opportunities—alongside insights from the Florida Department of Education, an evidence-based scoring system was created in order to:
-Measure schools’ arts education implementation and outcomes
-Identify opportunities to expand student access to the arts
-Foster partnerships between schools and community organizations
-Recognize school leaders who champion innovative arts education programs
This data-driven approach enables schools to track their progress while rewarding principals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality arts education for their students. Using this model, 21 DCPS principals were identified as outstanding supporters of arts education:
Kristin M. Shore
Aaron Walker
Darrell Edmunds
Candice Glover
Cassandra DeLay
Leigh Butterfield
Jennifer T. Gray
Faith Roberts-Graham
Dr. Michael George
Dean Ledford
Kimberly Dennis
Timothy Feagins
Chelvert J. Wellington
Weisha Killette
Cheryl Quarles-Gaston
Tina Bennett
Tammy H. Boyd
Chris Koek
Vincent Hall
Christopher Begley
Nongongoma Majova-Seane
“We are immensely proud of the exceptional work our Team Duval principals perform daily, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education that includes the arts,” said DCPS Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier. “The Principal of the Arts Award is an honor that will inspire us all to reach new heights in education and discover innovative ways to harness the transformative power of arts for student success.”
The award, to be presented in January, is grounded in survey data measuring outcomes of arts education on the First Coast.
Seven finalists and ultimately one winner will be selected by a panel including representatives from Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jacksonville Symphony, the Ritz Theatre and Museum, PNC Foundation and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. The winner will receive the award and a $1,500 prize in early January 2025. Their name, school and notable achievements, as well as those of the seven finalists, will be released after the closed presentation of the award. The winner will also be recognized at JPEF’s Eddy Awards on January 18, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
“At the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, we know the arts are key to unlocking student potential and inspiring achievement,” said Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, JPEF President. “The Principal of the Arts Award celebrates leaders who create opportunities for all students to thrive through the transformative power of arts education.”
