The Appleton Awards
The Appleton Arts Educator Award honors an individual who best incorporates the arts in their work to better our community. The Award is made possible by a legacy gift to Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation from Mrs. Louise Appleton, a local philanthropist who had a passion for connecting the arts with education.
2026 Appleton Award Applications Now Open!
These awards recognize the achievements and potential of educators using Arts in innovative ways in their classrooms or community. The award is and is open to PreK-12 Educators in Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto, or Charlotte County. Winners receive a cash award to continue their professional development and growth as outlined below.
Experienced ($5,000 award): Educators who have significant knowledge of Arts Integration and have been utilizing successful strategies in their classrooms or in the community.
Emerging ($2,500 award): This scholarship is for teachers who have expressed interest and demonstrate potential for excellence in Arts Integration implementation in the classroom or in the community.
Requirements: Open to all Teachers/Educators in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or Desoto counties using the arts to build community, improve wellness, and innovate education for learners Preschool through Adult. Recipients will be asked to share their experience as a Merit Scholar upon conference completion.
2025 Winners
Karim Manning, Ruslan Akhmadullin, and Brooks Tracey
2024 Winners
Freda Kmak, Tim Ferguson, and Jahkori Dopwell Hall
2023 Winners
Stevey Jones, Mayra Ocasio Cuadrado, and Kate Walsh
2022 Winners
Maria Schaedler-Luera, Jillianne Abbott, and Talia Kasey