National Art Education Foundation

The National Art Education Foundation (NAEF) invests in innovative initiatives to support instructional practice, research, and leadership in visual arts education. Learn more about applying for a grant or donating to NAEF.

NAEF Mission

The National Art Education Foundation (NAEF) invests in innovative initiatives to support instructional practice, research, and leadership in visual arts education.

NAEF Vision Statement

As an independent, philanthropic organization, the National Art Education Foundation (NAEF) supports a wide variety of professional activities, including support for visual art educators to participate in professional development programs; the promotion of visual arts education as an integral part of the curriculum; the exploration of new models of visual arts instruction in public and private K-16 schools; the promotion of the teaching of art through activities related to the instructional process, curriculum, student learning, student assessment, management, or discipline; the purchase of equipment and/or instructional resources; and conducting research in visual arts education. NAEF has supported 316 projects since its inception in 1985. NAEF is a sister organization to the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and provides support for a variety of visual arts education programs for the Association and its members.

NAEF Supports Black Lives Matter

The NAEF Board of Trustees supports the NAEA’s statement in support of Black Lives Matter along with resources to support a socially just art education. The NAEF affirms the NAEA statement by supporting the NAEA’s Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Commission and by providing additional funding for the development of the Cultural Competency in Teaching and Leadership Development Program, now underway.

Click here to read NAEA’s statement and access additional resources.

Program Information

View the 2021 NAEF Grant Guidelines here.

The NAEF Grant Program has shifted to an e-submission process beginning with the 2021 program year. To allow more time for the transition, the deadline will be Tuesday, December 1, 2020 (for Project Year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022). The grant categories remain the same. An informational webcast providing details on the program will be announced soon.

Please review the Tip Sheet and Grant Guidelines, prior to preparing and submitting a proposal.

Note: You must submit your entire proposal in one sitting including the uploaded items. Do not use this link until you have everything ready as you will not be able to go back into your proposal. Please refer to the Tip Sheet above for more information.

Ruth Halvorsen Professional Development Grant
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Mary McMullan Grant
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NAEF Research Grant
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SHIP Grant
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Teacher Incentive Grant
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Grant Recipients

View list of 2020 NAEF Grant Recipients for Project Dates: July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.

Featured Grantee Summaries

View summaries of select NAEF funded projects.

Contribute to NAEF

Donations
Donate today and make an investment in the future of visual arts education. Learn more

Support NAEF Through the Purchase of Art Magazines

NAEF’s partnership with F+W Media is expanding! Become a new subscriber to any one of five F+W Media art magazines and NAEF will receive a $5 contribution from F+W Media. Click here for more information.

CONTACT

Kathi R. Levin
Program/Development Officer
National Art Education Foundation
703-860-8000
naef@arteducators.org

Helpful Links

Art Education Research Institute (AERI)
NAEA Research Commission