Robin Piccapietra

Robin Piccapietra grew up on Long Island and attended SUNY Buffalo graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business with a Minor in Economics. Robin

Read More


Wendy Mapes

Wendy Mapes studied acting at the New Actors Workshop in NYC and has an MA in Theatre from Antioch University. She is currently the director

Read More


Raymond Shay

Raymond Shay is the founding coach of the middle school speech & debate team at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart where he also serves

Read More


Karen Gorzynski

MRS. KAREN GORZYNSKI is the Director of Choral Activities at Somerville High School, NJ where she is currently celebrating her 36th year. Mrs. “G”. directs

Read More


Gil Blitz

Read More



Linda Kinsey

Read More


Mary Knysh

Read More


Dave Fry

Read More


David Gonzalez

Read More


The Governor’s Awards in Arts Education began in 1980 to promote awareness and appreciation of the arts, recognizing the creativity, talent and leadership of the award winners. Each year, awards are presented to approximately 20 educators and 80 students. National and statewide organizations select the students for their exemplary work in creative writing, speech, dance, music, theatre and visual arts and the leaders for their exceptional commitment and contribution to arts education. The program also recognizes arts educators and arts education advocates, whose leadership has helped nurture the development of students in the arts across the state.

432 High Street Burlington, NJ 08016

info@artsednj.org

The Governor’s Awards event is a partnership of the Arts Ed NJ, the Department of Education, Art Pride New Jersey Foundation, the Department of State and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Additional support is provided by: the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics; Art Educators of New Jersey; Art Administrators of New Jersey; Dance New Jersey; New Jersey Council of Teachers of English; New Jersey Speech and Debate League; New Jersey Music Educators Association; New Jersey Performing Arts Center; Writer's Theatre of New Jersey; Speech and Theatre Association of New Jersey; New Jersey Thespians and Young Audiences of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. The cooperating organizations, award sponsors and individual members of the planning council dedicate their time to make sure that excellence in the arts is rewarded, and work tirelessly throughout the year to plan this special event. The Governor's Awards in Arts Education ceremony are a major collaborative effort of the arts, education and state government.