CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 25, 2024) – Nominations are now being accepted for ASC’s Cato Excellence in Teaching Awards, which recognizes teachers who have distinguished themselves in teaching art, science or history, or who have demonstrated creative infusion of arts, science or history into the core academic curriculum. Six creative teachers will receive $1,500 awards.

The awards are made possible through an endowment gift made to ASC from The Cato Corporation.

Nomination applications are available on ArtsAndScience.org. The nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. Teachers, principals, school administrators, parents, students or other community members can nominate teachers at any stage of their careers for consideration. Teachers can also self-nominate.

Award winners will be announced in May.

“Teachers are instrumental in fostering a love of and appreciation for creativity in students,” said ASC Vice President of Community and Artist Support Adam Santalla Pierce. “Thanks to the generosity of The Cato Corporation, ASC is able to recognize outstanding educators who use arts, science and history to connect to students and improve their classroom success.”

To be considered eligible for the award, individuals must be a Pre-K through 12th grade teacher working for a public or independent school in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln or Union counties in North Carolina, or Lancaster or York counties in South Carolina.

About ASC

ASC is the chief advocate, resource hub and steward for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region’s cultural community. Its core functions include advocacy, cultural education programs, cultural planning, fundraising, grant making, public art and workshops and trainings for the cultural community. ASC works to ensure Culture For All by combining resources from local and state government with those of the private sector to maximize community impact throughout the cultural sector.

ASC believes that arts, culture and creativity play a critical role in creating a sense of belonging to a community. Stay up to date on ASC news and happenings at ArtsAndScience.org and on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

-00-