Congratulations to the MAAE’s 2026
Contest Winners and Award Recipients
click for more details
Access additional parking and shuttle information.
Guests at the Capitol enter the building through the security checkpoint at the "Carriage Entrance" under the south steps, which can be accessed from the sidewalks at the southeast and southwest corners of the building. Entrances are staffed by Missouri Capitol Police utilizing both magnetometers and X-ray conveyors for security screening. These public entrances are also used by school groups, contract employees, special guests, members of the media and others. Learn more about Capitol security here.
(If you climb all the south stairs, you will have a great view, but you will be unable to enter the building from that location.)
Access additional parking and shuttle information.
Note: Busses are have specific unloading, parking and loading locations at the request of Capitol Facilities and Capitol Police.
See Bus Information for more details.
MAAE Student Awards
2026 Student Fine Arts Ambassador
Vindhya Varanasi
11th Grade
Blue Springs High School
Blue Springs, MO
Andrew Enlow: Computer Animation
MAAE Content Creation
Junior Division
Kiley Arnold
4th Grade
House Springs Elementary
House Springs, MO
Michelle Howard: Visual Art Educator
MAAE Content Creation
Senior Division
Jaina Mazdra
Oakville Senior High School,
Mehlville School District
St Louis, Missouri
Isabelle Zurcher: Arts Educator
MAAE Fine Arts Awards
Government Advocate for Arts Education 2026
Rep. Ed Lewis
Moberly, MO
District 6
Creativity and Innovation in Teaching 2026
Elizabeth Barker
Visual Arts Educator
Lebanon High School
Lebanon, MO
2026 Arts Education Community Champion
Erin Price
University Supervisor
St. Louis University
St. Louis, MO
2026 Administrator
of the Year
Dr. Tricia DeGraff
Executive Director
Academy for Integrated Arts
Kansas City, MO
MAAE is also pleased to congratulate our Special Award winner for outstanding service to the Fine Arts Community.
MAAE Content Creation Awards Ceremony
11:00 Kiley Arnold, Junior Division
11:05 Jaina Mazdra, Senior Division
11:10 Video presentations
MAAE Student Arts Ambassador
11:20 Vindhya Varanasi
MAAE Annual Awards Recognition Ceremony
11:30 Arts Community Champion - Erin Price
11:35 Administrator of the Year - Dr. Tricia DeGraff
11:40 Creativity and Innovation in Teaching - Elizabeth Barker
11:45 Government Arts Advocate Award - Ed. Lewis
11:50 Special Honorary Award
11:55 Special World Premiere Performance - "March Majestic"
Visit your legislators!
Share your story about the value of arts education!
If you are able to meet with an elected official let us know!
Please complete the google form following the visit.
Tap for tips for a successful visit.
Tips for a successful legislator visit:
Plan ahead!
Contact your legislator and arrange a meeting time that fits the obligations of your Fine Arts Education Day activities.
Tell your story! Each time one of our decision-makers learns about the hard work of your students and their teachers, we build a bridge that can support arts-friendly future decisions.
If you have a specific "ask" prepare a document (letter, note, card, flyer) and leave it with them.
Suggested asks:
Restore core funding of $10.1M to the Missouri Arts Council,
Restore funding of $1M for MO Humanities
Fully fund the Missouri Academies for $1.1M to eliminate economic barriers for students with limited financial means. (MO Academies of MO Scholars Academy and MO Fine Arts Academy share a line item in the state budget)
Take a picture of the legislator with members of your group.
Thank them for their service and their time. Handing them a few student generated notes are also helpful.
Let the Alliance know about your visit using this form.
You can also access the elected official visit form throught the QR code below.