School for Art Leaders
Committed to supporting art educators in their quest to excel as leaders, NAEA has designed a 21st-century flagship program: School for Art Leaders at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
About the Program
Since 1947, art educators representing all states, regions, and work contexts have provided volunteer leadership service that has shaped the field of art education and positioned the National Art Education Association (NAEA) as the premier professional community for art educators. Committed to supporting art educators in their quest to excel as leaders, NAEA has designed a 21st-century flagship program: School for Art Leaders. Utilizing experiential action learning modules and in-depth conversations with expert leaders, this program provides participants with needed learning experiences and skills to successfully lead in any environment.
The program design is geared specifically for art educators and is based on the work and recommendations of the NAEA Leadership Development Task Force. Seven different leadership models provide a strong basis for the content of the work, with specific individual and group exercises woven throughout the experience.
- The NAEA Art Educator Competency Model (developed by the Leadership Development Task Force)
- Thurber–Zimmerman Empowerment/Leadership Model
- Mindful leadership
- Total leadership
- Emotional intelligence
- Storytelling
- Strategies to support equity, diversity, and inclusion in leadership
Those selected for each annual class will contribute to the development of an extraordinary community of leaders committed to excellence. Upon completion, graduates join a national network of School for Art Leaders alumni—empowered to champion transformational leadership across visual arts, design, and media arts education for every learner, in every learning space.
Questions? Email Laura Grundler, Chief of Creative Engagement, at lgrundler@arteducators.org
Application Information
Notification letters for the Class of 2027 will be sent by the third week of December 2026.
Applications for the Class of 2027 are now closed.
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.
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.