The Charles Marshall Robertson Memorial Award is presented biennially in memory of Charles Marshall Robertson, Dean Emeritus of Pratt Institute, who served as President of The School Art League from 1965 through 1988. This award is granted to an exceptional artist or art educator who has made significant contributions to students in New York City public schools. The 2025 Charles Marshall Robertson Award, was presented to Shanta Lawson.

Shanta Lawson, n is a museum educator and arts and cultural leader who serves as the Senior Director of Learning and Engagement at The Studio Museum in Harlem. In a career spanning more than 20 years at the Studio Museum, she has developed and sustained a range of education programs to serve a wide range of audiences, including students, families, youth and adults. Shanta’s passion is creating experiences with art that initiate opportunities for learning, make space for forming and exploring identities, foster connections between people, spark joy and encourage wellness through the creative process. She is committed to exploring and developing ways in which museums are accessible spaces that inform and inspire progressive, person-centered education practice. Shanta has empowered the Studio Museum’s Learning and Engagement department staff to explore and develop rigorous programs that activate opportunities for learning and creativity. Programs include partnerships with New York City schools and community-based organizations, visual arts-based family programs, innovative teen programs, and immersive internships and fellowships for emerging arts professionals. Shanta earned her Master’s degree in Arts and Cultural Management from Pratt Institute, and is a board member for Arts & Minds, an organization that provides visual arts experiences for people with dementia and their caregivers.

Past Recipients of The Charles Marshall Robertson Memorial Award

2023………Maria Palma

2022………The One Club for Creativity
2018………. Carmen Fariña
2016……..…Milton Glaser
2014……..…Mary McCormick
2012……..…Franny Kent-Del Valle
2011……..….Caroline Payson
2010……..…Radiah Harper
2009……….Lowery Stokes Sims
2008……….Sharon Vatsky
2007……..…Randolph Williams
2006………. Karen Rosner
2005……..…Rika Burnham
2004……..…Shirley Taylor
2003……..…Joan D. Firestone
2002……..…Tom Cahill
2001……..….Grace George Alexander
2000……..…Martin E. Segal
1999……..….Andrew Buck, Clement Ceccarelli, Douglas Eisman, Ellen Kirshbaum, Ed Morgano, Stan Nussbaum, Nancy Shankman, Leonard Trerotola
1998……..….Dr. Sharon Dunn
1997……..…..Madeline Abel, Joseph Hijuelos, Roberta Newman, Douglas Potter, Esther Quiles, Alexandra Zevin
1996……..….Robert B. Durkin
1995……..….Muriel Silberstein-Storfer
1994……..….Madeleine Appel, Laurel Danowitz, Naomi Lonergan, Toby Needler
1993……..….Dr. Judith Burton
1992……..….Amy Brook Snider
1991……..…..Diana Cagle
1989……..….Patricia Seabrook Black
1988……..….Samuel Kostman