Art Teacher Award

Philadelphia, PA – To celebrate the achievement of teachers who enrich their students’ lives through art, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) and the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) have named this year’s recipient of the “PAFA Art Teacher Award for Excellence.”

Recipient Richard Dunoff, visual art and photography teacher at Benjamin Franklin High School, 550 North Broad Street, will be presented with the 2010 PAFA Art Teacher Award for Excellence on May 26, 12 - 2 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118 North Broad Street, in Philadelphia.

In a career spanning three decades, Dunoff has provided educational leadership in the service of students at school level and in higher education within the Philadelphia area. Dunoff has been employed by the School District of Philadelphia since 2004.

“Through his enthusiasm, hard work, and careful planning, a group of Benjamin Franklin students were entered into photography contests, and have won awards, certificates of merit, and recognition in the competitions. One of the student’s works is currently displayed at the Capitol in Washington, D. C. His dedication has provided all Benjamin Franklin students to experience the vitality of artistic expression as it touches our everyday lives,” says Christopher S. Johnson, Principal of Benjamin Franklin High School, who nominated Dunoff.

 

In addition to his classroom teaching, Dunoff's photographs have appeared in numerous calendars and publications, most recently in the book Philadelphia, A Photographic Portrait.

 

“Excellence in art education is a model of civic virtue that the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts proudly supports,” says David R. Brigham, PAFA’s President and CEO.

 

“Art is an essential component to every child's education,” adds Dennis Creedon, Director, Department of Comprehensive Arts Education for the School District of Philadelphia, “and a driving creative force for generations to come.”

 

The selection committee included representation from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, School District of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Arts and Education Partnership. Two finalists to the winning nomination were Benjamin Walsh of Central High School and Tara Neal of the Mayfair School.

 

The winner receives a cash award of $500; tuition for a Continuing Education course or workshop at PAFA; a $100 gift card to be used in the Academy’s Art Supply Store or Portfolio ®, the museum shop; and a family membership to the Museum. The two finalists receive a $50 gift card to be used in the Academy’s Art Supply Store or Portfolio ®, the museum shop, and an individual membership to the Museum.