District 214 named finalist for prestigious Kennedy Arts Award

The Township High School District 214 Board of Education was recently named a 2015 National Finalist for the Kennedy Center and National School Boards Association Award.

The award recognizes a school board for outstanding support of the arts in education and has been presented annually since 1989. This year marks the first time the district applied for the honor.

"I love to work in a district that acknowledges and supports the fine arts both in curricular and extracurricular activities," said Jeremy Morton, the district's fine arts coordinator. "This prestigious honor highlights that District 214 is doing it right and helps us to celebrate the exemplary education and opportunities that are provided for our students."

As many as 35 school boards apply annually for this award. Each application is first vetted at the by the state school boards association before it is sent on to the Kennedy Center for consideration.

The application consists of several parts, including a narrative of the district arts program, and supporting data of arts classes offered, enrollment, and staff numbers. Letters of support are required from state and national professional arts organizations. Award winners must show support for all four major artistic disciplines - visual arts, music, theater, and dance - and collaboration with community cultural resources.