National Convention Scholarships
The NAEA Art Educator Scholarship Fund supports art educators seeking further professional learning opportunities through the many programs and events offered by NAEA. The scholarships below support innovators in visual arts, design, and media arts education, providing access to professional learning, leadership experience, and connectivity to the field through the NAEA National Convention.
Available Scholarships
NAEA suggests registering to attend NAEA26 by November 21 to lock in the best registration rate. If you are selected to receive a scholarship, the registration cost you previously paid will be refunded to you. Standard cancellation policy applies. Attendees may only be awarded one scholarship per year.
Applications will open on August 1, 2025
Applications deadline: November 26, 2025
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) Scholarships
This scholarship will support ED&I-focused visual arts educators, with a priority focus on first-time attendees of the NAEA National Convention and Preservice visual arts and design students. The ED&I Commission began this scholarship opportunity that is designed to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field of visual art and design education and remove barriers to access for underserved and underrepresented individuals.
Interested individuals will complete a brief survey including an “about me” essay that addresses their experience with equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field. Up to ten scholarships will be awarded. These scholarships are designed to support visual arts and design educators on their path of continued professional learning, teaching, and leadership development. Those selected will engage with the ED&I Commission in the spring and fall of 2026 for continued sharing and connection.
The scholarship award for the 2026 NAEA National Convention will cover:
- Complimentary registration to the 2026 NAEA National Convention (a value of up to $299);
- Up to Three (3) nights of hotel accommodations in an NAEA designated hotel;*
- A free one-year NAEA national membership (not to be combined with state association membership)
*Will only be awarded if you attend the in-person Convention in Chicago
Eligibility: Applicants must spend at least 51% of their professional work as a visual arts/design education professional and/or a Preservice student in the field of art and design education.
First Time Attendee Scholarships
This scholarship is designed to support visual art educators that are first time attendees of an NAEA National Convention. Four first Time Attendee Scholarships will be awarded.
The scholarship award for the 2026 NAEA National Convention will cover:
- Complimentary registration to the 2026 NAEA National Convention (a value of up to $285);
- Up to Three (3) nights of hotel accommodations in an NAEA designated hotel;*
- Travel stipend of up to $300 for transportation, meals, and incidentals.*
*Will only be awarded if you attend the in-person Convention in Chicago
Eligibility: Applicants must be a member of NAEA prior to application and through the 2026 NAEA National Convention (March 5-7, 2026) and spend at least 51% of their professional work as an art educator. The NAEA First Time Attendee Scholarships are only open to first time attendees of the National Convention. (If you have previously attended an NAEA National Convention virtually, you are not eligible for this scholarship).
Art Educator Scholarships
This scholarship is designed to support visual art educators in their path of continued professional learning. Ten scholarships will be awarded.
The scholarship award will cover the registration fee for the 2026 NAEA National Convention.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a member of NAEA prior to application and through the 2026 NAEA National Convention (March 5-7, 2026); and spend at least 51% of their professional work as an art educator. The NAEA Art Educator Scholarship Fund is open to all NAEA members that have attended a National Convention in the past.