The Lied Center has named gifted-education teacher Dani Lotton-Barker and jazz musician Branford Marsalis as the 2015-2016 Lied Center IMPACT Award winners.

The award honors one artist and one Lawrence educator every season for distinguished service to the performing arts.

“We are truly grateful to both of them for helping to inspire the next generation of artists and arts lovers,” said Derek Kwan, executive director of the Lied Center, in a news release.

Lotton-Barker, who teaches at Southwest Middle School, was recognized for her integration of various arts into her classroom curriculum, as well as her support of Lied Center education programs and projects.

This is the second season the Lied Center is recognizing one artist or group for distinguished service to the performing arts and one district educator for distinguished service to arts education. As the educator honoree, Lotton-Barker receives a pair of tickets to each main stage Lied Center performance during the 2015-2016 season.

Marsalis, the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master and Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, was recognized in part for his educational efforts. He established Marsalis Jams, which brings leading jazz ensembles to schools and campuses to present concerts and jam sessions.

The 2015-16 winners will be presented with their awards at the Branford Marsalis Quartet performance on April 6.