Quick look: Nominations are open through Oct. 23 for the 2026-27 Orange County Music and Arts Administrators Awards, which recognize teachers, classified staff, administrators and arts advocates whose leadership has strengthened arts education across Orange County.
Behind thriving school arts programs are educators, administrators, staff members and community partners who create opportunities for students to discover their talents and express their creativity.
Now, the Orange County Music and Arts Administrators, or OCMAA, is inviting the community to help recognize those leaders by submitting nominations for its annual awards program.
Nominations are open through Friday, Oct. 23, for individuals whose leadership has made an impact on their school, district or community. This year’s categories recognize teachers, classified staff members, administrators, postsecondary arts education leaders and community advocates supporting arts education throughout Orange County.
Potential nominees include outstanding music, visual arts, dance, theater and media arts educators, as well as administrators who have helped develop or expand arts programs. Community members who advocate for school arts programs and college or university leaders who strengthen TK-12 arts pathways can also be nominated.
Celebrating leadership in arts education
“We believe in celebrating the servant leadership we see in others,” said Scott Fitzpatrick, OCDE arts coordinator. “By celebrating the different strengths we see in others, we are able to better recognize and celebrate how we each implement our shared values in each of our different contexts.”
Fitzpatrick said recognizing those contributions also provides opportunities for arts education leaders to learn from and encourage one another.
“Please join us in celebrating the strengths you see in others by nominating that person for the 2027 OCMAA Awards,” he said.
Nominations can be submitted through the 2026-27 OCMAA nomination form. Award winners are scheduled to be announced Friday, Dec. 4.
Honorees will be celebrated Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2027, during the annual Orange County Music and Arts Administrators Awards at the Samueli Theatre at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. A reception will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 5:45 p.m.
For questions, contact Fitzpatrick at stfitzpatrick@ocde.us.