OrlandoSentinel.com
Orange schools chief Blocker honored at United Arts awards
By Matthew J. Palm, Staff Writer
9:47 PM EDT, October 3, 2011
Ronald Blocker, superintendent of Orange County schools, was awarded the
John M. Tiedtke Lifetime Achievement Award at Monday night's Arts+
Awards, given by United Arts of Central Florida.
The awards, given to individuals and organizations, emphasize connections between arts groups and the community.
Outgoing United Arts President Margot Knight called Blocker "a quiet
force" in promoting the arts, noting that each year thousands of
schoolchildren attend orchestra concerts, the ballet and other cultural
institutions thanks to his support.
Blocker said the award was an "unparalleled honor," and that it was
critical that as many children as possible had a chance to experience
the arts.
Henry Maldonado, president of the Enzian Theater in Maitland, received the volunteer individual of the year award.
Andrew Lane, music director of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, was
honored as arts educator of the year. The Florida Symphony Youth
Orchestra program served 264 students from nine counties this year through its three orchestras, a training orchestra and other ensembles.
The Arts+ Awards were established 10 years ago by United Arts, a
collaboration of arts groups, local governments and businesses that
promotes arts and cultural organizations. The public makes the
nominations — United Arts received more than 100 this year — and then a
panel of local business leaders selects the winners.
Other honorees for 2011:
•Orlando Repertory Theatre, for excellence in arts education.
•Festival Bay Mall, as outstanding business partner for its support of the arts.
•MicheLee Puppets, which provides educational children's shows, and Harbor House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, for collaboration.
•Messiah Choral Society, for volunteer organization of the year.
•Bay Street Players and Garden Theatre, which both won for community-engagement programs.
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