INTIMAN is honored to name Thomas J. Armitage, the Director of Theatre at North Central High School in Spokane, as the second recipient of its biennial Ruben Van Kempen Arts Educator Award. The award will be presented at INTIMAN’s Annual Meeting on Monday, March 17 at 5:30 pm.

INTIMAN inaugurated the award in 2006 to honor performing arts teachers who help make the world a better place through their contributions to arts education and our community. It is named for its first recipient, Ruben Van Kempen, the Director of Drama at Roosevelt High School, who was instrumental in founding INTIMAN’s flagship education program, Living History, with then-Artistic Director Elizabeth Huddle in 1986. 

Tom Armitage (or “Armo,” as he is universally known to his students) was nominated by his former student Benjamin Stuart, who is currently pursuing a degree in Theatre Education at Seattle Pacific University. Stuart praised his mentor’s commitment to serving Spokane’s performing arts community, and his dedication to his students as an educator, mentor and artist. “Tom Armitage is always looking to engage and educate the entire school, breaking down the social cliques and stereotypes that plague many high schools,” Stuart wrote. “In addition to offering unique production experiences, he finds new ways to celebrate invention, creativity and life.”

Current and former students and colleagues are encouraged to contribute testimonials, thank-you’s, memories or anecdotes, for a collection being organized in tribute to Armitage’s achievements as an educator and his career in the arts. Testimonials should be sent to thankyouarmo@gmail.com; the deadline to send submissions is March 31.

For more information, please contact Jesica Avellone at 206.269.1901 x213 or jesicaa@intiman.org.