New art award spotlights hidden backbone of fine art education

The Liu Shiming Art Foundation has announced the first recipients of a new award honoring adjunct professors, spotlighting the hidden backbone of fine art education.

The Distinguished Educator Award was given to Natalie Hunter, who specializes in teaching sculpture at the University of Waterloo, and Dana Lok, who teaches at Columbia University and focuses on painting and drawing, the foundation announced in a news release.

"With the Liu Shiming Educator Award, we’re proud to shine a light on the vital yet too often overlooked contributions of adjunct professors, the underrecognized cores of arts education,” Puiking Hui, the foundation’s executive director, said in an emailed statement.

“Despite the challenges they face, these educators continue to inspire and mentor the next generation of artists. Liu Shiming himself devoted decades to teaching, embodying this spirit. Through this award, we aim to honor their work and offer the recognition and support they so often lack."

The award comes as an increasing share of fine art education is being taught by adjunct professors, part-time instructors who are often undervalued by education administrators.