Governor's Message
 About the Governor's Awards

 Arts Administration
 Arts Education
 Arts Patron
 Business Support of the Arts
 Community Development
    and Participation
 Individual Artist
 Irma Lazarus
 Irma Lazarus

 About the Artist
 Award Artwork

 About Arts Day
 Acknowledgements

 West Muskingum
    Jazz Band

 Event Sponsors
 Media Sponsors
 Table Sponsors
 Additional Support

 Award Selection Committee

Arts Education

Dr. Corwin Georges, Springfield

Nominated By: Ohio Alliance for Arts Education

As chairperson for Wittenberg University's Department of Theatre and Dance, Dr. Corwin Georges has made significant contributions through leadership and creativity to advance arts education in Ohio's schools and communities. For nearly four decades, Georges has been committed to an arts education for all children. Starting in 1967 as an English and theatre teacher at Blanchester Junior High, he knew that getting involved beyond his classroom would make a difference in arts education for his students and the community. Just a few short years later, Georges joined Wittenberg University as a professor of theatre. His role as a theatre educator focused on preparing students for a career in the arts and/or as theatre educators. During these 30 plus years, he has worked to bring arts education to the forefront of policy. He has served children, parents, educators and the community as a school board member; board member for cultural organizations such as the Springfield Symphony; a panelist and facilitator; a workshop provider and lecturer; and a philanthropist. At the state level, Georges has given his time, talents and resources to serve the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education in every conceivable capacity from volunteer to president. Under his leadership, the organization worked collaboratively with the Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Department of Education to successfully carry out programs such as the Ohio Arts Education Assessment Project, Project START ID, a state-level five year plan for arts education in Ohio, and the Status Survey of Arts Education in Ohio's Schools. Georges served as the national chairperson of the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network. He has served as a speaker on the national front at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and in the halls of Congress. Georges has inspired young people to become actors and dancers and has served as a role model for young arts professionals as they discover their own career paths. He has been innovative in his approach to changing policy and ensuring arts education remains a part of a complete education.

Dr. Corwin Georges video tribute (7:34 minutes)