Young Audiences Arts for Learning Announces the Recipient of the 2026 AIE Arts Champion Governor’s Award

Middle Township High School Earns 2026 Governor’s Award

[PRINCETON, NJ – July 13, 2026] — On Thursday, June 11, Middle Township High School received the AIE Residency Champion Governor’s Award as part of the statewide NJ Governor’s Awards in Arts Education (NJGAAE). The NJ Governor’s Awards in Arts Education is co-chaired by Arts Ed NJ and the New Jersey Department of Education. The AIE program was co-founded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the school partnership has been managed by Young Audiences (YA). 

This prestigious accolade was presented to Middle Township High School in Cape May Courthouse, NJ, for recognition of its exceptional dedication to arts education through the AIE Program. The school hosted long-term artist residencies over five years, fostering creative collaboration between students and teaching artists. For the past four years, Middle Township High School has worked with teaching artist Gail Scuderi, working on large-scale mosaic and ceramic projects on the school’s campus. 

The school’s long-term commitment to artist residencies impacted more than 200 students. In that time, the school and artist Gail Scuderi completed school-wide art installations, including ceramic structures, mosaic murals, and a rain garden. These projects built communication, cultivated community engagement, and provided students with a greater understanding of their local environment. The workshops also helped build confidence among the students and expand their sense of self within the school system. This year, they completed the installation of a mosaic mural on the pillars outside the school arts center, which is used by the entire community as a gathering and performing space. 

In addition, Middle Township High School implemented various strategies to enhance its arts programming, such as professional development for teachers, increased investment in residency programs, establishment of school-wide arts initiatives, and engagement with local community partners.

The award was presented at a community gathering held at Middle Township School, where the students and artist showcased their work. Art teacher Karen Biederman and teaching artist Gail Scuderi accepted the award. Shea Muray, the Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for the New Jersey Department of Education and YA board member, presented the school with the award. Also in attendance were Michele Russo, YA President and CEO, Michael Roberson Reid, YA Arts Education Manager, and Liz Winter, YA Education Operations Director.  

“Receiving a New Jersey Governor’s Award is both humbling and deeply meaningful to me. While I am honored to be recognized, I see this award as a reflection of the collective effort, support, and encouragement provided by our students, staff, administrators, facilities team, teaching artist Gail Scuderi, and the broader community.  Watching students contribute their ideas, talents, and hard work to a project that will benefit future generations has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career,” said Karen Biederman, art teacher at Middle Township School.

“Arts Ed NJ and the Department of Ed serve as the Co-Chairs of the NJ Governor’s Awards in Arts Education for the state, along with the Department of State, and a coalition of partner organizations, including Young Audiences, who select the recipients of these prestigious awards. We are honored to be a part of this event hosted by Young Audiences and Middle Township High School,” said  Shea Murray, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for the New Jersey Department of Education.

In addition, a letter from Governor Mikie Sherrill was shared:

On behalf of the State of NJ, I am proud to congratulate this year’s recipients of the NJ Governor’s Awards in Arts Education….For more than 45 years, this program has stood as our State’s highest honor for young artists, educators, and leaders who carry that legacy forward. This distinction reflects not only your remarkable talent and creativity, but also your commitment to excellence and the meaningful contributions you make to your schools and communities…

Congratulations to each of this year’s honorees on this well-deserved award. May this recognition encourage you to continue your journey to becoming the leaders, innovators, and changemakers of tomorrow.

“We are committed to students having in-depth, dynamic, and personal experiences of the arts, with the guidance and support of artists,” said Michele Russo, YA President and CEO.  “AIE has been a collaborative effort between the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Young Audiences, alongside partners Morris Arts and Count Basie Center for the Arts. We are deeply thankful for the steadfast support and collaboration of the Arts Council. We are thrilled to recognize the exceptional collaboration of our school partners at Middle Township High School led by Karen Biederman, and teaching artist Gail Scuderi, who give students’ access to creative experiences that lift their voices and express their values as a community.

View photos from the event here: https://app.air.inc/a/b89c353e5  

Contact: 

Michael Roberson Reid

Arts Education Manager

Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ and Eastern PA

866-500-9265

mreid@yanjep.org

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About Young Audiences Arts for Learning

Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ and Eastern PA, established in 1973, is the leading arts-in-education resource in the region, offering teaching artist-led performances, workshops, residencies, and professional learning programs to schools across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. With an extensive roster of professional artists spanning various art forms, Young Audiences has impacted over 15 million children in its 50-year history. Committed to inspiring young minds and fostering inclusive learning environments, Young Audiences strives to ensure that every child receives rich and meaningful arts experiences. Through diverse and accessible programs, the organization aims to strengthen arts education, meet curriculum standards, and enrich cultural life in communities throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

About the NJ Governor’s Awards in Arts Education

The NJ Governor’s Awards in Arts Education is an annual program that recognizes the achievements of educators, students, and organizations that contribute to the arts in New Jersey. The awards aim to promote the importance of arts education and inspire future generations of artists and creative thinkers.

The Governor’s Awards in Arts Education program is co-chaired by Arts Ed NJ and the NJ Department of Education. Awards are determined by the New Jersey Governor’s Awards in Arts Education Planning Council which includes: Art Pride New Jersey Foundation, the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics Program (ACTSO); Art Educators of New Jersey; Art Administrators of New Jersey; Dance New Jersey; New Jersey Council of Teachers of English; New Jersey Speech and Debate League; New Jersey Music Educators Association; New Jersey Thespians; Speech and Theatre Association of New Jersey (STANJ); Appel Farm Music & Arts Campus; New Jersey Performing Arts Center; and Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania.

Learn More about the New Jersey Governor’s Awards in Arts Education visit www.njgaae.org