School for Art Leaders

The School for Art Leaders welcomes art education professionals across the experience spectrum—from emerging leaders ready to build their foundation to seasoned advocates looking to sharpen their skills and transform their practice. Successful applicants will:  

• Have 5 years or more of professional practice and are currently working as an art educator (school/school district, museum, college/university, local or state agency, community organization, or other work context).  

• Commit to fully participating in the 10-month program, including possible inclusion in a longitudinal study on leadership impact in art education upon completion of the program.  

• Have organizational support from a state association and/or your school/institution.  

• NAEA expects that program graduates will actively apply their leadership skills in ways that will enhance their institutions and/or NAEA and its affiliates, and contribute a positive impact on the field of art education.

There is no application fee. If accepted, a program fee of $1,000 for members and $1,300 for nonmembers must be submitted by May 10. The program fee includes access to all courses and related materials, including the on–site intensive program at Crystal Bridges. Travel and housing are additional and at the expense of the participant. NAEA works to secure competitive and optional housing rates. 

The purpose of the School for Art Leaders at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to provide an experience that both inspires and prepares art educators to become active leaders of positive change in the field of art education.  

A cohort of no more than 25 participants annually will form a learning community throughout this 10-month program. Participants will meet in a kickoff orientation in preparation for a 5-day intensive experience, taking place at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Following the intensive experience, participants will continue to learn and support one another through applying leadership experiments and debriefing sessions through coaching and mentoring for the next 9 months. 

View the 2026 SAL Program Calendar. 2027 SAL Program Calendar coming soon.

Applications for the Class of 2027 are open from September 1 to November 2, 2026. Applications for the Class of 2028 will open in September 2027.  

Click here to apply.

NAEA uses the Submittable platform for application materials. If you do not yet have a Submittable account, you can create one for free when beginning your application. Your login for Submittable is not the same as your login for your NAEA member profile. After beginning an application, you can save and return to it any time before the submission deadline.

This scholarship is intended to support participants who are interested in growing their leadership capacity and skills, while also engaging in the work of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I). 

Scholarships include the cost of SAL program fees; accommodations at the 21C Museum Hotel in Bentonville, AR; and an air travel allowance (up to $600).

Application Process

To apply for a scholarship, use the “request form” feature connected to your initial SAL application and follow the steps below:

1. First, submit your application for the School for Art Leaders Program.
2. Next, log back into your Submittable account. Navigate to your submitted SAL application by clicking on “Submissions.”
3. Click on your School for Arts Leaders application.
4. On the next screen, click the “Forms” tab.
5. Scroll down to the “Request Forms” section. Locate the “SAL Scholarship Form” and click the “Open” button.
6. On the next screen, complete the required information and click “Submit.” You will receive a confirmation email for your scholarship application.

Eligibility

Candidates will need to complete the scholarship application following the submission of their application for the NAEA School for Art Leaders program. 

Candidates should also have a demonstrated commitment to ED&I in arts education, a desire to build ED&I into their daily practice, and a commitment to reflective practice in ED&I work.

Selection

Two scholarship recipients will be chosen from applicants selected to participate in SAL, who have submitted a scholarship application as well. No financial information will be requested, but the selection process will prioritize candidates from underrepresented groups, Regions, and Divisions. 

This scholarship helps remove financial barriers for preK–12 art educators, making participation possible for individuals who might otherwise be unable to attend. 

Scholarships include the cost of SAL program fees; accommodations at the 21C Museum Hotel in Bentonville, AR; and an air travel allowance. 

Application Process

To apply for this scholarship, use the “request form” feature connected to your initial SAL application and follow the steps below: 

1. First, submit your application for the School for Art Leaders Program.
2. Next, log back into your Submittable account. Navigate to your submitted SAL application by clicking on “Submissions.”
3. Click on your School for Arts Leaders application.
4. On the next screen, click the “Forms” tab.
5. Scroll down to the “Request Forms” section. Locate the “SAL Scholarship Form” and click the “Open” button.
6. On the next screen, select which scholarship you are applying to (you may only apply for 1 type of scholarship), complete the required information and click “Submit.” You will receive a confirmation email for your scholarship application. 

Eligibility

Candidates will need to complete the scholarship application following the submission of their application for the NAEA School for Art Leaders program.  

Candidates must be current preK–12 art educators. Candidates should also have a demonstrated need for financial assistance. 

Selection

Three scholarship recipients will be selected from SAL participants who submit a scholarship application. Financial information will not be required; however, priority will be given to applicants who would be unable to attend without financial assistance.