AEI Distinguished Service Within the Profession Award 2010
Dawn Marie Martinez Oropeza
Iowa Arts Council, Arts Education and Community Programs Coordinator
Degrees held, Insititution(s) and other education: BFA The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, MFA University of California San Diego
State/province and local art education association activities, offices held, committees, honors, service, etc.: Member of the Art Educators of Iowa and the Alliance for Arts Education. Partnerships with University of Northern Iowa Gallagher Bluedorn and the Kennedy Center 2 year teaching artists training on arts integration. Currently partnering with the Des Moines Public School arts education on FAME grant and arts integration professional development training for teachers. On a committee to develop a national model after school arts program to be shared with other organizations in Iowa and to create a long term data collection on student achievement. Have partnered with the AfterSchool Alliance on a statewide study of arts in after school hours in the state of Iowa. A member of the Cultural Educators of Des Moines group.
Other leadership roles and accomplishments: Grant panelist for President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, 2010 Coming Up Taller Awards, Nebraska and Arkansas Arts Councils Arts Education grant reviews, National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America grant reviewer. Arts Chair of the Iowa Latino Conference since 2006.
Membership in other professional organizations, including offices held, honors, etc.: member National Association Latino Arts and Culture, Founder of Aztec Dance group in Des Moines, member of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Arts Education Committee. White Eagle PowWow planning committee.Publications and/or exhibits: Curator for the Iowa Asian Alliance Arts Tent 07-09; Latino Festival curator and exhibitor 2006-2009; Curator for Cesar E. Chavez Foundation and Mexican Heritage Plaza San Jose, CA, Governor Culver Inauguration Ball. Recent exhibits: Mujeres de Armas Llevar: Women Raising Arms, Grand View College, Angel Community Altar in Memory of Joe Page, Day of the Dead Altar painting and concept, Des Moines Arts Center 2008 & 2009. Community mural Red Oak, IA. Logo design for the Latino Conference 2009.
Other teaching and/or related experiences: World of Difference Cultural Ambassador, “Dancing with Aztec Astronomy”, “Life of Cesar E. Chavez” and the “Significance of the Aztec Calendar” through out the year. Taught Aztec Dance in 2009-2010 with ASAP, The After School Arts Program culminating event blessing and dance of the Evelyn Davis 13th Street Gardens.