Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler, the WCPSS Senior Administrator for Arts Education, was honored Tuesday night by the United Arts Council and the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce as their Arts Education awardee in the annual Business Support of the Arts Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the arts in our community.
Grimes-Droessler began her professional career in arts education in 1982 as a dance and theater teacher at what was then Martin Junior High School. Currently, as the WCPSS Senior Administrator for Arts Education, Liz works closely with over 500 arts teachers from all arts disciplines in all grades. She coordinates two countywide arts events: for 26 years, the highly successful Pieces of Gold event, which showcases the county’s best art programs for students. In 2002, she teamed with Broadway Series South and produced a student production of Les Miserables with four performances at Memorial Auditorium. The success of that production led to others in ensuing years. Each time, Liz assembled a team of Broadway professionals to lead WCPSS students in creating a first-class musical production.
Her commitment to arts education extends beyond the school system. She has served on the boards of Raleigh Little Theatre, Arts Access, Even Exchange Dance Theater, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. Since 2003, Liz has been an adjunct faculty member at Meredith College where she teaches future educators how to integrate the arts in elementary classrooms. Since 1984, Liz has been the Technical Director for Chuck Davis and the African-American Dance Ensemble.
In 1995, Liz was awarded the City of Raleigh Medal of Arts; in 2002 she was named the Dance Education Administrator of the Year for North Carolina; and in 2003, she was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women in the Arts and Entertainment category.
Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce chair Sepi Asefnia presents Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler with the Arts Educator Award from the Chamber and United Arts Council.