Introducing the a2ru Award for Excellence in Arts in Health Education
Jun 7, 2023
a2ru is proud to launch the a2ru Award for Excellence in Arts in Health Education to give recognition to arts in health educators in higher education for exceptional support and outstanding accomplishments towards the advancement of arts in health education.
Up to two winners will be selected each year. Each winner will be recognized at a2ru’s national convening, for which they will receive complimentary registration. The winners will also be invited to present their work at the a2ru annual meeting or virtually in the a2ru webinar series.
The award is conferred through a2ru’s community of practice for arts in health educators, established in 2021.
a2ru and Arts in Health
Arts in Health is a broad and growing academic discipline and field of practice dedicated to using the power of the arts to enhance human health and well-being in diverse institutional and community contexts.
Over the past four decades, arts in health has become a vibrant professional field and academic discipline. These advancements are evidenced through widespread programming, and major milestones such as the development of a field journal, Arts & Health: An International Journal for Research, Policy, and Practice, and a Code of Ethics and Standards for Arts in Health Professionals. This professionalization is reflected by organizations and institutions of higher education’s development of coursework and degree programs to prepare individuals to provide safe and effective arts in health services. Plans for professional certification have also progressed. We’ve identified a need for a peer community of educators that can share ideas and pool resources on pedagogical innovation for higher education in this burgeoning discipline.
To that end, a2ru hosts a Community of Practice for Arts in Health Educators. This group exchanges ideas to advance pedagogy in the area of arts in health. a2ru has hosted bi-monthly, informal conversations with the aim to address field building and articulate the priorities in the field of arts and health in higher education. Establishing this award is an important step in the emerging field of arts in health education.
Eligibility
All arts in health educators that have taught in higher education for at least 3 years* are invited to apply. Applicants are welcome to self-nominate. Winners will not be eligible for another award until two years have passed.
*can be non-consecutive
Criteria
Applicants will be judged on the following set of criteria to identify exceptional educators who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession.
- Have demonstrated excellence and effectiveness in teaching and advocacy for student learning and perspectives; and/or have developed a course, certificate, or degree academic program
- Demonstrate equitable and just teaching practices
To Submit a Nomination
A complete application will include:
- Application form
- 250-word teaching philosophy
- At least 1 letter of support, no more than 3
Optional supplemental materials may include: teaching evaluations, course syllabi, course descriptions, assignment guidelines, rubrics, etc.
All nominations are due by August 1, 2023.