EdCom has recognized outstanding contributions to museum education by individual practitioners, museums offering distinguished programs, and by individuals whose leadership at the national level has impacted the public dimension of the museum. Judging is based upon the EdCom publication Excellence in Practice: Museum Education Standards and Principles.

Excellence in Practice recognizes an individual who demonstrates exemplary service to the public through the practice of education in a museum. The person's contributions may be through teaching, program development, community organizing, writing, research and/or professional activities. Awardees meet, establish, and promote the highest professional standards.

Applications for the 2010 Excellence in Practice are being accepted now through January 15, 2010.

Click here to download the application.

2009 Award for Excellence in Practice:

Robert W. Eskridge, Women’s Board Endowed Executive Director of Museum Education, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Past recipients:

• 2008 Claudia Ocello, Associate Director of Education and Public Programs, Save Ellis Island, Mount Olive, NJ
• 2007 Dr. Carol B. Stapp, Director of the Museum Education Program, The George Washington University, Washington DC
• 2005 Cheryl Palmer, Director of Education, The Mint Museums, Charlotte, NC
• 2004 Nina Jensen, Director, Museum Education Program, Bank Street College of Education, New York, NY
• 2003 Jean Sousa, Associate Director Museum Education, Interpretive Exhibitions and Family Programs, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• 2002 Vas Prabhu, Deputy Director of Interpretation and Public Programs, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA
• 1998 Mary Ellen Munley, Director of Education, The Field Museum of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• 1997 Barbara Moore, Head, Department of Education Publications, National Gallery of Art Washington, DC
• 1996 Susan Bernstein, Education Coordinator, San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, CA
• 1995 Susan Bass Marcus, Curator of the Artifact Center, Spertus Museum, Chicago, IL
• 1994 Tessa Bridal, Director, Theater Department, Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
• 1993 Sally Duensing, Assistant Director, The Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
• 1992 Carolyn P. Blackmon, Chair, Department of Education, The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL
• 1991 Zora Felton, Assistant Director, Anacostia Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
• 1990 Patterson Williams, Dean of Education, Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO
• 1989 Judy White, Curator of Education, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
• 1988 Danielle Rice, Curator of Education, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
• 1987 Alberta Sebolt-George, Executive Vice President, Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA
• 1986 Malcolm Arth, Chairman, Department of Education, American Museum of Natural History, New York City, NY
• 1985 Joan Madden, Director of Education, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
• 1984 Elaine Heumann Gurian, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA
• 1983 Bonnie Pitman, Deputy Director, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA