Media Contact
Katie Murray, Director
Orange County Arts Commission
kmurray@orangecountync.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCAC ARTS EDUCATOR GRANT RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
ORANGE COUNTY, NC (June 8, 2026)
The Orange County Arts Commission has selected two arts educators as recipients of its Arts Educator Grant Program. Arts Educator Grants are available to public school arts educators in Orange County Public Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools seeking professional and/or artistic development.
Recipients of the 2026 Arts Educator Professional Development Grant are:
- Lois Jarrell teaches General Music at Morris Grove Elementary. Lois will be using her grant to complete Level I of her Orff Schulwerk certification, which teaches participants instructional strategies for pedagogy and musicianship geared toward music in education settings.
- Blake Wilson teaches Theatre at Orange High School. Blake will be using his grant to attend the DeLong Academy technical theatre workshops, which are taught by current theatre industry professionals and provide a “deep dive” into topics like lighting and sound.
The program provides $1000 grants for a variety of expenses and assists arts educators in advancing their careers. The grants can be used toward:
- Travel expenses related to workshops or seminars, or to do research related to art form, such as meals,
lodging and transportation. - Expenses related to workshops, classes or coaching that will enhance the teacher’s abilities and/or allow
the acquisition of Continuing Education Units, such as registration fees, substitute teacher costs, or
required supplies. - Purchase of supplies, materials or equipment necessary for the completion or production of personal
work which is considered to be essential to the advancement of his/her teaching career.
The arts educator grant program will reopen in Spring 2027.
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