Ohio Alliance for Arts Education Awards Abbott -- Makers of ZonePerfect(R) Nutrition Bars -- and Joe Blundo, Amy Budish, Bruce Kidder, and Georgia Welles for Their Commitment to Arts Education

2010 Arts Education Awards Recognize Efforts to Improve Arts Education in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Ohio Alliance for Arts Education (OAAE) today announced the winners of its 2010 Arts Education Awards, which are given annually for exemplary support for and commitment to quality arts education programs from individuals and organizations.  The five winners are Abbott, the global health care company, based in Columbus, for its work restoring six Ohio public school music programs through its ZonePerfect® brand and VH1 Save The Music Foundation partnership; Joe Blundo of Columbus, for bringing attention to important education issues in his column; Amy Budish of Beachwood, for her ongoing support of the arts and arts education through visionary leadership; Bruce Kidder of Holgate, for upgrading his school's arts facilities; and Georgia Wells of Bowling Green, for her ongoing contributions to OAAE that supports professional development for educators and the operations of the organization.

"Arts education saw a tough year in 2009, but through the efforts of our award winners, we saw music education programs restored, Ohio's students received high quality instruction from professional arts educators, and more than two thousand teachers were provided professional development," said Lauren Hess, President. "The purpose of the OAAE is to improve arts education in schools and communities across Ohio.  We want to recognize and celebrate ongoing advocacy for arts education and loyal commitment and investment to the arts in Ohio. This year's award winners have certainly exceeded those parameters with their strong support of arts education programs."

The award will be presented on April 24, 2010, at a special ceremony, just before the performance of Pierce to the Soul, presented by the Contemporary American Theatre Company at the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts in Columbus.

The 2010 Arts Education Award Winners include:

ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars:  In 2009, Abbott's ZonePerfect Nutrition Bar brand began a partnership with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation to support their efforts to restore music education programs in public schools in Ohio and across the country. To raise awareness for the Foundation, the ZonePerfect brand initiated a program allowing consumers to enter UPC codes from ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars to contribute to the brand's donation amount and held concerts in tribute to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation at special events around the country.  Donations totaling $180,000 from ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars have assisted the Foundation's efforts to purchase instruments for elementary and middle schools in need of music education programs and help students nourish their own discovery of the arts.  

"Abbott is supporting the VH1 Save The Music Foundation's efforts towards restoring music education programs in public schools so that more students have access to a balanced education," said Monica Hysell, division vice president and general manager, Global Performance Nutrition, Abbott. "As a company with headquarters in Columbus, Abbott and its ZonePerfect brand are proud to have been able to restore music education programs in six Ohio schools in 2009-2010 with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation."

Joe Blundo: Mr. Blundo is an award-winning columnist. He studied journalism at Kent State which led him to the start of his career at The Parkersburg Sentinel. He has been a columnist at The Dispatch since 1978. His columns are a mix of humor, human interest and information. His witty musings, serious reflections, and savvy phrasings bring to life many important issues about Columbus, arts education, children, the arts, and so much more. Joe and his wife Deborah have two children and live in Worthington, Ohio.  Joe has been an active parent as a music education supporter and Dad!

Amy Budish: Mrs. Budish is an active community member in northeast Ohio. She is an author, volunteer, consumer affairs specialist, mother, and partner to her wonderful spouse, Armond. She cares deeply about people, education, and issues that affect people's lives. Mrs. Budish is an eloquent advocate for the arts and arts education. She knows first hand about the value of children's experiences in the arts and understands that the arts are a critical component to a complete education.  She recently reflected that, "When children think of heroes they often speak of sports figures. My hope is that more and more children will find artists and musicians to be their role models so that we can hold up creativity and imagination as the new attributes of a hero."  In addition to the arts in schools, Mrs. Budish recognizes that Ohio's arts organizations provide tremendous opportunities to children and families in their communities.  She believes that the arts cannot be viewed as a luxury or an add-on in our lives because the arts are the creative spirit of our souls.  Mrs. Budish has a unique ability to engage people and inspire them to reach their full potential.  She wants for all children what she dreams of for her own – health, happiness, joy, and love – all of which are experienced through the arts.  

Bruce Kidder: Mr. Kidder has spent the last twenty-two years in Ohio schools.  Most recently Mr. Kidder was employed as the middle/high school principal for Holgate Local Schools, a small district in Henry County.  In his leadership role at Holgate Mr. Kidder was largely responsible for the new arts facilities as part of their new building design.  "With Mr. Kidder's support our children now have access to fabulous arts facilities in Holgate," said Cathy Buchholz, music educator and parent in the district. Mr. Kidder is known for his passion and drive to transform schools into creative learning environments. Mr. Kidder and his wife Anne have two grown children.

Georgia Welles: Mrs. Welles is a resident of Bowling Green, Ohio and a former member of the Ohio Arts Council.  Mrs. Welles cares deeply about the arts and arts education.  In 2006 she and her late husband, David, were recipients of the Governor's Award for the Arts in Ohio for their outstanding volunteer and philanthropic activity.  Mrs. Welles is a mother of five with thirteen grandchildren.  Her annual commitment to the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education provides support for operations of the statewide organization enabling programs, outreach, and collaborations.  

About The Ohio Alliance for Arts Education

The Ohio Alliance for Arts Education is a statewide service organization whose mission is to ensure the arts are an integral part of the education of every Ohioan. The annual awards presentation is an opportunity to honor those individuals and organizations that support arts education through their talents, gifts and resources.

OAAE's Award Committee is chaired by Cathy Buchholz of Holgate. Committee members include Dennis Cannon of Columbus, Jan Fedorenko of Westerville, Jarrod Hartzler of Wooster, Naomi Hoyt of Dublin, and Christy Farnbauch of Hilliard.

Contact

For more information on the OAAE and the Arts Education Award Program, contact Donna Collins, Executive Director, Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, at 614.224.1060 or [email protected].

SOURCE Ohio Alliance for Arts Education