Awards Program

The first NAEA Award, NAEA Art Educator of the Year, was presented at the 1955 National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, by Edwin Ziegfeld, the first President of NAEA. In 1977, the NAEA Awards Program was initiated to recognize outstanding art educators in all NAEA Divisions and Regions and from each state and province. Growing in scope since its inception, the program continues to add new awards.

The objectives of the NAEA Awards Program are to:

• To recognize excellence in the many outstanding individuals, state/province associations, and programs of NAEA.
• To focus professional attention on quality art education and exemplary art educators.
• To increase public awareness of the importance of quality art education.
• To set standards for quality art education and show how they can be achieved.
• To provide tangible recognition of achievement, earn respect of colleagues, and enhance professional opportunities for NAEA members.

Who can nominate?
Individual Members, State/Province Associations, and NAEA Interest Groups can nominate for NAEA Awards.

How to nominate:
Nominations and supporting documentation are submitted online only.  NAEA utilizes a submission platform called “Submittable” to collect and review nominations. In order to submit a nomination, you will first need to create a free account with Submittable.

Who is eligible?
NAEA members who meet the established criteria are eligible for award nominations.

Membership is not required for the Eisner Lifetime Achievement Award, Distinguished Service Outside the Profession Award, and Committee on Multiethnic Concerns (COMC), J. Eugene Grigsby, Jr. Award.

• Award Eligibility Members Who Work in One State and Live in Another: NAEA members may be nominated for awards based on the state and region in which they hold membership. If a member lives in one state or region but works in another, they may be nominated only according to where they hold membership. All nominations must indicate where the member works.
• Members Who Work Across Division Levels, Including K12 and K–8: A member is only eligible only for an award for their respective membership division, as listed in their membership record.
• NAEA Leadership: NAEA Board Members, Board MembersElect, and Regional Representatives are ineligible for NAEA awards during their terms.
• State Leadership: Members who currently serve as voting members (elected or appointed) of a state association board are ineligible to be nominated for NAEA Regional, Divisional, or national awards while in office.
• Committee Members: Individuals serving on awards committees cannot be considered as candidates for the awards they are reviewing.
• Nominating Family Members: Immediate family members (spouses, children, parents, siblings) may not nominate other family members for awards. NAEA will receive submissions from any member for all awards nominations and validate member status, Division, and Region for all nominees.

The NAEA National Office ensures that all nomination information is included and complete, in addition to verifying the eligibility of all nominees. Nominations are then sorted and forwarded to the NAEA Awards Chair, who oversees the selection committee for each award. Rubrics have been created for judging the submissions for each award and are posted on the NAEA website. Results are reported to the NAEA National Office.

Who should I contact for additional information? NAEA Awards Program questions can be directed to Sydney Krieck, Executive Project Manager, at awards@arteducators.org.Please note: If none of the nominees meet the criteria for a specific award, a recipient will not be selected.

Awards Program Rubrics
Download the rubrics used for reviewing submitted nominations for all NAEA awards. For regional and national awards, rubrics have been created to recognize differentiations in roles among Divisions, with separate rubrics for Higher Education, Museum, Supervision/Administration, as well as Preservice and a combined rubric for the Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Divisions.

The 2026-2027 NAEA Awards Program deadline is Monday, November 2, 2026.

This timeline allows the selection committees sufficient time to review documentation, verify membership, make final decisions, and submit the names of winning recipients to NAEA.

Most awards are presented in the spring at the NAEA National Convention. Awards not presented at the Convention will be mailed to the recipient.

A press release announcing the recipient of each award will be emailed to each awardee, which may be forwarded to to employers, media outlets, or school administrators. All award recipients are announced in the Convention program, as well as on the NAEA website.

What are NAEA Divisions?
NAEA divides membership into seven categories called Divisions, which include: Elementary, Middle Level, Secondary, Higher Education, Museum Education, Supervision/Administration, and Preservice. A member is only eligible for an award for their respective membership division, where applicable.

What are NAEA Regions?
NAEA also divides membership into four geographic regions which include: Eastern, Pacific, Southeastern, and Western. Regional awards nominees must hold membership in the geographic region in which they have been nominated. For example, a member of the Southeastern Region may only be nominated for a Southeastern Region award.

• Eastern Region: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Labrador, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Overseas Art Education Association, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
• Pacific Region: Alaska, Alberta, American Samoa, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Yukon Territory.
• Southeastern Region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the Virgin Islands.
• Western Region: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Northwest Territory, Ohio, Oklahoma, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.

The Elliot W. Eisner Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual for their lifetime professional achievement that has advanced art and art education.

Nominations should include individuals who have made notable contributions throughout their lifetimes to the field of visual arts education through their work as teachers, lecturers, and/or artists. The award is not restricted with respect to the level of work or the type of work that individuals may have undertaken throughout their professional lives. Examples include but are not limited to contributing to the knowledge and understanding of artistic growth and development, furthering the theory and practice of teaching and learning about art, promoting the role and essential value of art education for human development, and developing accountability systems for assessing student growth.

The Award

The Eisner Lifetime Achievement Award consists of three parts: (1) a cash award; (2) a reception or other event, during which the award winner shall give an acceptance lecture; and (3) presentation to the award winner of a commemorative item to mark the occasion. There are no required uses for the stipend; it is entirely the choice of the award winner as to how the prize is to be used. Any and all taxes on the award are the responsibility of the winner.

Eligibility, Nomination, and Selection

• Eligibility: Any individual whose career has resulted in sustained and significant contributions to the field of art and/or visual arts education through a lifetime of work. Only individuals are eligible rather than an organization, group, or institution. However, the Review Committee, at its discretion, may divide the award between two or more individuals if deemed appropriate to the work. There is no minimum age or years of service in the field to qualify for nomination. The award is open to NAEA members, as well as others who may not be professionally recognized as an art educator. No individual may receive the award more than once.
• Nomination: Nominations must include (1) a letter of nomination, (2) two letters of support, (3) a vita that highlights significant work, and (4) a recent photograph of the nominee. Letters should (5) describe the significance of the candidate’s contributions over the course of their career and (6) describe the quality of the contributions consistent with the purpose of the award. For the online vita form, please put “see attached resume” in each section.
• Selection: Selection is made by an Eisner Lifetime Award Selection Committee consisting of a chair and four members. (The NAEA Past President will chair an awards committee comprising at least one past recipient of the award when possible and three long-standing NAEA members appointed by the chair.) Members appointed to serve on the committee are carefully identified to ensure that there is no conflict of interest, and that broad representation of members and educational constituencies exists. The criteria considered by the committee will be the quality and influence of each candidate’s work over a lifetime.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

Conceived as a tribute to Manuel Barkan, this award is presented to an individual who, through their published work in either Art Education or Studies in Art Education, has contributed a product of scholarly merit to the field of art education. Scholarship can be defined broadly to include any written contribution dealing carefully and imaginatively with an important issue, problem, or practice in the field. Refer to this award’s rubric for additional information about Manuel Barkan.

Eligibility

The recipient is selected from NAEA members who have contributed articles in Art Education and/or Studies, published from October 2024 to September 2025.

The recipient of this award presents the Barkan Lecture at the NAEA National Convention.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information; cover letter of nomination to include the name of the individual you are being nominated, the title of the work for which the individual is being nominated, and the name of the publication in which the work appears; and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes outstanding contributions and service to the profession by a current or past state/province association officer in the performance and/or development of specific programs, goals, or activities at the state/province association level.

It is presented in honor of Marion Quin Dix, NAEA’s third President, in recognition of her pioneer work in the development of NAEA as a national professional association. Refer to this award’s rubric for additional information about Marion Quin Dix.

Eligibility

Past or current NAEA state/province association officers are eligible. This is the only NAEA award open to current state officers.

Submit

Online nomination, vita information, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award honors an individual(s) who has made distinguished contributions to the field of art education in advancing and promoting education, investigation, and celebration of cultural and ethnic heritage within our global community.

The record of achievement may reflect remarkable scholarly writing, research, professional leadership, teaching, and/ or community service that advances the ideals of culturally responsive pedagogy in teaching and learning communities. This award highlights the legacy of J. Eugene Grigsby, Jr., in bringing to light historical and contemporary accomplishments of people of color in fully advancing NAEA’s policies and practices.

Eligibility

NAEA members and nonmembers who have brought distinction to the field of art education through an exceptional and continuous record of achievement that has significantly impacted the multiethnic community are eligible. Current COMC officers may not be nominated.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information are required, along with a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes the value of doctoral research to the profession of art education and its related disciplines, advocates on behalf of such research, and fosters continued support of doctoral research in art education.

The award recipient will be recognized at the NAEA National Convention and will receive a plaque in recognition of their achievement, a session at the NAEA National Convention to present their research, a complimentary 2-year subscription to Visual Arts Research, and an invitation to publish in Visual Arts Research.

The top three applicants will each receive a 1-year membership to Seminar for Research in Art Education, an invitation to attend the Marilyn Zurmuehlen Working Papers session as a special guest, and a letter of recognition from the Seminar for Research in Art Education.

Eligibility

Students who have completed and successfully defended doctoral dissertations in art education from November 1, 2024-October 31, 2025, are eligible to receive the award.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information are required. Also required are a letter from the mentor/advisor or committee member, a nominee cover letter, a 1,000-word dissertation abstract written by the nominee, and a digital copy of the dissertation. The nomination letter should discuss the significance of the doctoral student’s research to the profession and field of art education and include evidence that the dissertation has been completed and successfully defended. The cover letter and 1,000-word abstract of the doctoral research, both written by the doctoral student, should accompany the letter of nomination.

*The Elliot Eisner Doctoral Research Award is cosponsored by the Seminar for Research in Art Education and Visual Arts Research.

Nominate here.

Friends and former students of Viktor Lowenfeld established this award in 1960 to honor an individual who has made significant contributions to art education over the years.

The recipient of this award presents the Lowenfeld Lecture at the National Convention. Refer to this award’s rubric for additional information about Viktor Lowenfeld.

Eligibility

NAEA members who have made distinguished contributions to the art education profession are eligible.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes one NAEA member for extraordinary achievements and service of national significance during previous years.

Eligibility

Active NAEA members who have performed outstanding service on a national level are eligible.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

These awards honor one outstanding NAEA member from each of the seven Divisions for outstanding service and achievement of national significance during previous years.

National Division Art Educator Awards

National Elementary Art Educator, National Middle Level Art Educator, National Secondary Art Educator, National Higher Education Art Educator, National Supervision/Administration Art Educator, National Museum Education Art Educator, and National Preservice Art Educator.

Eligibility

A member is eligible for an award only in their respective membership division. This job division should be indicated on the nominee’s membership file in the NAEA National Office.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

These awards honor one outstanding NAEA member from each of the four Regions for outstanding service and achievement of regional significance during previous years.

Regional Art Educator Awards

Eastern Region Art Educator, Pacific Region Art Educator, Southeastern Region Art Educator, Western Region Art Educator.

Eligibility

Active NAEA members who have performed outstanding service and hold membership in the region in which they are nominated are eligible.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

These awards honor one outstanding NAEA member from each of the seven Divisions within each of the four Regions. This award recognizes exemplary service and achievement of regional significance within each Division.

Regional Division Awards

Elementary Division: Eastern Region Elementary Art Educator, Pacific Region Elementary Art Educator, Southeastern Region Elementary Art Educator, Western Region Elementary Art Educator.

Middle Level Division: Eastern Region Middle Level Art Educator, Pacific Region Middle Level Art Educator, Southeastern Region Middle Level Art Educator, Western Region Middle Level Art Educator.

Secondary Division: Eastern Region Secondary Art Educator, Pacific Region Secondary Art Educator, Southeastern Region Secondary Art Educator, Western Region Secondary Art Educator

Higher Education Division: Eastern Region Higher Education Art Educator, Pacific Region Higher Education Art Educator, Southeastern Region Higher Education Art Educator, Western Region Higher Education Art Educator

Supervision/Administration Division: Eastern Region Supervision/Administration Art Educator, Pacific Region Supervision/Administration Art Educator, Southeastern Region Supervision/Administration Art Educator, Western Region Supervision/Administration Art Educator

Museum Education Division: Eastern Region Museum Education Art Educator, Pacific Region Museum Education Art Educator, Southeastern Region Museum Education Art Educator, Western Region Museum Education Art Educator

Preservice Division: Eastern Region Preservice Art Educator, Pacific Region Preservice Art Educator, Southeastern Region Preservice Art Educator, Western Region Preservice Art Educator

Eligibility

A member is eligible for an award only in their respective membership division. The job division should be indicated on the nominee’s membership file in the NAEA National Office.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognize excellence in the development and publication of a state/ province association or interest group newsletter either in print or online.

Eligibility

Interest groups and state/province associations that publish either a print or digital newsletter are eligible to receive the award. (Note: Electronic and print newsletters are evaluated by the same criteria. However, the required three issues must be submitted as PDF documents.)

Submit

Nominations for this award must use the separate Newsletter/Website Award Nomination form: https://arteducators.submittable.com/submit/b2cb3e36-ffbe-4d17-b7df-779615e18ed6/2027-awards-program-newsletter-website-awards

Nomination information required: cover letter containing association/group membership totals as of September 1 and the name and contact information (including address and email) of the current editor. Submit this nomination information and low-resolution PDFs of three separate issues from the previous calendar year (January to December). Please do not submit a link to download a newsletter.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes excellence in the development and ongoing maintenance of a state/province association or interest group website.

Eligibility

Interest groups and state/province associations are eligible to receive this award.

Submit

Nominations for this award must use the Newsletter/Website Award Nomination form: https://arteducators.submittable.com/submit/b2cb3e36-ffbe-4d17-b7df-779615e18ed6/2027-awards-program-newsletter-website-awards

Nomination information required: URL for the state/province association or interest group website and a maximum threepage summary of how the website meets the criteria for submission (below) and actively serves the state membership. The summary must also include how your site is currently addressing the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Initial Criteria for Submission

All sites submitted for review should exhibit at a minimum the following standards:

1. Appropriate and current state/province association or interest group content;
2. Accurate information;
3. Clear navigation;
4. Organizational clarity and proper grammar; and
5. Visual appeal and compatibility with major PC and Mac browsers.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes a state/province association that has made superior achievements contributing to the improvement of art education.

Eligibility

State/province associations are eligible.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information, cover letter of nomination, typed summary (no more than one page) specifically noting goals achieved, and published proof of accomplishments.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes outstanding achievement, contribution, and service in previous years to the field of art education. It is open to individuals as well as state/province associations.

Eligibility

Active NAEA members who have performed outstanding service on national and regional levels are eligible to receive this award.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes outstanding achievement and contributions in previous years by persons or organizations outside the field of art education.

Eligibility

This award is open to any person or organization demonstrating significant support of visual arts education.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee are required.*

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 1.

Nominate here.

*When filling out the nomination form, please include all contact information for the nominee, as well as for the nominator. When nominating an organization, include the organization name in the “Name of Nominee” field and the name of a primary contact for the organization in the “Nominee Information” section. Please indicate N/A for fields requesting information pertaining to NAEA membership.

This award recognizes an NAEA member who has made distinguished professional contributions to art education for students with special needs through scholarly writing, research, professional leadership, teaching, and/or community service.

Eligibility

Active NAEA members who have brought distinction to the profession of special needs art education through an exceptional and continuous record of achievement that has had a significant impact on students with disabilities and special needs are eligible to receive the award.

Submit

Submit online nomination information, a personal resume/vita emphasizing contributions to special needs art education, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee. For the online vita form, please put “see attached resume” in each section.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes an NAEA/ASE member whose exemplary lifetime career has made a unique and lasting impact on art education’s important role in the lives of people with special needs.

Eligibility

Active NAEA/ASE members who have brought distinction to the profession of special needs art education through an exceptional and continuous record of achievement that has had a significant impact on students with disabilities and special needs are eligible for this award.

Submit

Online nomination information, a personal resume/vita emphasizing contributions to special needs art education, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee digitally. For the online vita form, please put “see attached resume” in each section.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes excellence and achievement by new art educators.

Eligibility

Individuals in their 1st year of teaching within the preK—12 level are eligible. This award is intended to recognize excellence among new art educators based on their successes in student teaching and as a 1st-year teacher.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information

Four letters are required: (1) A letter of nomination that includes the nominee’s name, home address, telephone number, email address, university attended, and date of graduation, as well as the school name, school address, and school telephone number where they currently teach; (2) letter of recommendation from a faculty member or administrator at the school or school district where they teach; (3) letter of recommendation from their student teaching supervisor at the school where they student taught; and (4) letter of recommendation from an arts education faculty member at their university.

Resume: A resume of up to three pages listing the nominee’s artistic and extracurricular achievements related to the arts and arts education.

Philosophy of Teaching Art: A typed statement not exceeding two pages.

Samples of Artwork: Five digital images each representing the nominee’s artwork and five digital images representing their students’ artwork. All work must be original and not copied from other sources. Please list titles of artwork, dimensions, and media used and distinguish the work created by nominees from the work by their students. Include the context of submitted artwork as a one-page description of what is in the visual material submitted with the nomination.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes continuous outstanding service to art education by an individual after retirement.

Eligibility

NAEA retired members who are also current RAEA Interest Group members, and have been retired at least 3 years and brought distinction to the field of art education by exceptional and continuous records of achievement through teaching, professional leadership, and other contributions after retirement are eligible to receive this award.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information, which must note the date of retirement (mm/dd/yyyy) and all service and achievements, including specific dates occurring ONLY after retirement; one cover letter of nomination; two additional letters supporting the nomination; and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes dedication to the development of future professional members of NAEA through sponsorship of an outstanding Preservice Chapter group at the college or university level.

Eligibility

Sponsors of active NAEA Preservice Chapters are eligible to receive the award.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information, a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, a one-page typed summary of student chapter activities, and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This award recognizes the dedication of an NAEA member who sponsors an outstanding National Art Honor Societies Chapter.

Eligibility

Sponsors of active NAHS, NJAHS, or NEAHS Student Chapters.

Submit

Nominations for this award must use the NAHS Awards form: https://arteducators.submittable.com/submit/8b147ac5-08c8-4e3e-bb11-4e28ce3751d9/2026-awards-program-rising-star-and-chapter-sponsor-national-awards

Online nomination and vita information, cover letter of nomination, one additional letter supporting the nomination, a summary of NAHS activities, and a personal statement from the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

This program promotes art education as a career by recognizing up to 50 talented, active NAHS members.

Recognition as a Rising Star at the NAEA National Convention, a 4-year complimentary NAEA student membership (with proof of college enrollment and the pursuit of study in art education), and a 1-year, 1st-year professional membership (with proof of employment) will be given.

Eligibility

High school students in their junior or senior years interested in becoming art educators are eligible for this program. Nominees must be in their junior or senior year at the time of both the nomination and the award presentation.

Submit

Nominations for this award must use the NAHS Awards form: https://arteducators.submittable.com/submit/8b147ac5-08c8-4e3e-bb11-4e28ce3751d9/2026-awards-program-rising-star-and-chapter-sponsor-national-awards

Online nomination and vita information, including school name, school address, NAHS sponsor’s name, and chapter number; two letters of recommendation, one by an art educator and one from a teacher and/or administrator; a student personal statement regarding art education goals; a list of NAHS and schoolwide participation activities; a photograph of the nominee; and five digital samples of the nominee’s artwork and a list denoting artwork titles and media used are required. All work must be original and not copied from other sources.

Nominate here.

The Clark and Zimmerman Leadership Advocacy Award honors art educators who donate their time, effort, and expertise to advancing art education in all sectors, yet frequently their contributions are not brought to public notice. This award pays tribute to those who are outspoken leaders and advocates for art education in schools, museums, community centers, or other settings where art education is researched and practiced. The awardee should have held leadership roles in NAEA and been an active advocate for art education programs not only locally, but also regionally, nationally, and/or internationally.

This award includes art educators who have contributed to supporting art programs and practices in schools, museums, community centers, and other art education settings.

Eligibility

Any NAEA member who in their career as an art educator, at any level in any educational setting, is eligible to be nominated for this award. The award recognizes a member who in their career has evidenced leadership and has effectively promoted and supported art education in local, regional, national, and/or international venues. There is no minimum age or years of service in the field to qualify for nomination of the award.

Submit

Online nomination and vita information (highlighting the nominee’s art education leadership and advocacy activities), a cover letter of nomination, two additional letters supporting the nomination, and a photograph of the nominee are required.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.

The Agent of Change award emerged from a call to action in committing to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social impact by NAEA. As part of the 2021–2025 NAEA Strategic Vision, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (ED&I) was recognized as a “super pillar” in the plan; it is both its own unique goal as well as one that is interwoven across the other four pillars: Learning, Research & Knowledge, Advocacy & Policy, and Community Vibrancy. Additionally, the creation of this recognition is part of the recommendations made by the NAEA ED&I Task Force and implemented by the ED&I Commission.

Purpose

The purpose of the award is to honor an individual who exemplifies, demonstrates, and/or leads social impact or social justice efforts in the work they do within visual arts, design, and media arts education. We acknowledge that addressing systemic transformation requires agents of change, allies, and accomplices. The award intends to honor and amplify voices that have and continue to be marginalized and the added intellectual and emotional burden that such art educators face in the work they do in contributing to the advancement of equity, diversity, and/or accessibility in art education.

Key Questions to Consider

• How has the candidate promoted ED&I, and/or cultural competency development among NAEA members and/or within the communities they partner with?
• What key area of ED&I has the candidate been a champion for? (e.g., recruitment, retention, climate, community outreach, leading initiatives, increasing awareness and understanding)
• In what specific ways has the candidate advanced the fostering of diversity in their association/workplace to amplify the potential of multiple voices?

Eligibility

Active NAEA members who have presented on topics of ED&I in localized and/or institutional ways in art education while demonstrating sustained practices of social justice, offering a critical voice in the field, and working collaboratively to uplift the voiceless and encourage positive outcomes as part of larger solutions to social change. ED&I Commissioners are not eligible for nomination.

Submit

Online nomination information, vita that highlights significant work, a cover letter of nomination, an additional letter supporting the nomination, and a voice recording providing a statement on the candidate’s body of work and how it has exemplified equity, diversity, and/or inclusion OR a collection of works that document projects and scholarship in equity, diversity, and/or inclusion within art education.

Deadline

Nominations must be submitted no later than November 2.

Nominate here.