The Opening Nights at Florida State University Arts Advocate Award honors exceptional educators who demonstrate outstanding dedication to enriching students’ lives through arts education.
Arts advocacy, in the context of education, is the active promotion of the arts as essential to student growth, learning, and community well-being. Arts educators advocate by providing meaningful creative experiences, inspiring a love for the arts, and ensuring that the arts remain a vital part of schools and society.
The recipient’s class will receive a special performance presented by Opening Nights. In addition, the award recipient will receive a 2026–2027 Opening Nights at FSU season ticket package (valued at $1,000) and a Concierge Parking Pass for performances on campus.
Nomination Information
Stay tuned for more information on the 2026 application!
Past Recipients
Janine Falah
“I am very humbled that people appreciate all the things that I do with the students in and out of the classroom. I am grateful that I genuinely enjoy creating experiences for our students by collaborating with the community.”
Lee Commander
“Winning the Opening Nights Arts Advocacy Award is truly an honor! Whether it’s painting a picture, learning an instrument or performing in front of classmates, creative expression is essential to enhancing cognitive development and building important life skills. An overwhelming body of research demonstrates the positive ripple effect of arts education in schools and beyond…”
Dr. Benny L. Bolden, Jr.
“This is one of the greatest honors of my life. Arts education is a vital right, not merely an option…”
Sally Ash
“As fine arts instructors… we are ultimately fostering leadership skills that produce a community of citizens who value and demonstrate creativity, collaboration and communication…”
Dr. Christopher Small
“I am honored to be selected… and look forward to continuing to support and advocate for creating well-rounded students…”
Dr. Iris Wilson
“As a society, we all benefit from organizations that give back to our students, teachers, and communities…”