Five Selected for 2020 Nancy Baur Dillen Art Teacher Scholarships

The arts not only enrich our lives, communities and culture, but they are vital to every student’s education. Art educators work hard with very little financial support to enhance their students’ art education experiences. Since 2015, 26 scholarships have been awarded to Brevard Public School art educators through the Nancy Baur Dillen Art Teacher Scholarship at the Community Foundation for Brevard that are helping to inspire both local art educators and the students they teach.

We are thrilled to share the five Brevard Public School art teachers selected as recipients of the 2020 Nancy Baur Dillen Art Teacher Scholarship:

• James Burks – Ralph Williams Elementary, Rockledge

• Kelli Coats – Melbourne High, Melbourne

• Megan Fernandez – Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High, Cocoa Beach

• Krista Hemmer – Southwest Middle, Palm Bay

• Peter Hemmer – Southwest Middle, Palm Bay

  During the summer of 2020, the scholarship will provide funding to cover tuition, related fees, and room and board for one-week workshops of each teacher’s choice at the internationally recognized visual art education center, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, T ennessee.

  It was the vision of artist and retired Eastern Florida State College professor of art, Nancy Baur Dillen and her husband Rick to create the scholarship program with the Community Foundation for Brevard so that art teachers would have an opportunity to share, develop and grow as artists and as educators. A committee made up of artists, educators and community members review the applications and make recommendations of the finalists to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

  “Teachers have the power to inspire our future,” said Nancy Dillen. “Rick and I feel honored and fortunate to help Brevard’s art teachers bring out the best in their students through this annual scholarship opportunity. Many of the scholarship recipients describe their experience at Arrowmont as life-changing and magical. Our goal is to bring that inspiration back to local

students and I feel like we are accomplishing that through our work with the Community Foundation.”

“Art is essential to the human experience. We are deeply grateful to work with Rick and Nancy Dillen whose philanthropic vision and generosity is so profoundly impacting our community. Their contributions will resonate for generations to come,” said Theresa Grimison, President/CEO of the Community Foundation.

About Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is a national art education center. The school offers weekend, one- and two-week workshops for the beginner to advanced artists taught by national and international practicing studio artists and university faculty. Students work and learn in professionally equipped studios on a 14-acre residential campus in Gatlinburg, TN.

About Community Foundation for Brevard

The Community Foundation for Brevard serves as a resource and leader for philanthropic individuals and organizations to enhance and sustain Brevard County’s quality of life. An independent, 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation manages funds for the philanthropic community with the goal of providing a perpetual source of income for charitable causes while protecting the investment. For more information, visit cfbrevard.org.