State and Regional Leaders

Thank you for your leadership, partnership, and continued investment in art education.

This resource page is designed to ensure that NAEA’s plans and communications are in lockstep with your needs as a state association leader, and that you are in the know about our resources and tools designed specifically for you and the members in your state.

We also look forward to seeing you throughout the year at our virtual Leader to Leader (L2L) sessions:

  • Winter:
    January 6, 2025
    4pm PT/7pm ET and 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET

  • Spring:
    May 19, 2025
    4pm PT/7pm ET and 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET

NAEA25 Toolkit

Registration is open for the 2025 NAEA National Convention, taking place March 20–22 in Louisville, Kentucky.

We invite you to register now and also share the news with your state’s members. Here are some resources that can help with this:

Click here to download the complete toolkit.

State Leader Handbook

NAEA is committed to supporting your leadership efforts in cultivating strong and vibrant state associations to serve the art educators in your state. We invite you to use the State Leader Handbook as a guide as you embark on this exciting journey of leadership and professional service.

NAEA Awards

The NAEA Awards Program offers the opportunity to nominate outstanding visual arts, design, and media arts educators in all Divisions and Regions, and from each state and province for national recognition. Complete details about the Awards Program are published online here. An updated Awards Booklet is published each spring.

The extended nomination deadline for the 2025 Awards Program is November 1 at 11:59pm ET.

Collaborate

You have a community of state leaders with you wherever you go! Don’t forget about the State Leaders’ Community at NAEA Collaborate. Ask a question, share a tip, or check in with colleagues. This community is set to “Private.” If you attempt to access it using your NAEA login credentials and can’t, please email our Director of Member Services and Database Operations at ccastillo@arteducators.org.

Membership Trends

Use this documentto get an updated snapshot of membership trends, state by state and nationally, to inform your plans and initiatives.

Also, download the most up-to-date NAEA membership form here.

Interest Groups

NAEA Interest Groups offer a valuable opportunity to connect with other members who share an interest in a specific issue or topic in visual art and design education. See all 23 NAEA Interest Groups here. Contact information for Interest Group Leaders is available here.

Core Values

Working in tandem with NAEA’s 2021-25 Mission, Vision, and Strategic Pillars (MVSP), the NAEA Board and Staff has developed a set of organizational values for the association. These values reflect core attributes and behaviors that the association uplifts and holds dear, in alignment with the MVSP.

State ED&I Liaisons

In an effort to increase the impact of NAEA’s equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) work more broadly, and to identify the specific needs of our membership, NAEA initiated the pilot ED&I State Liaison Program in Fall 2021. Find out the latest here.

Tips for State and Regional Leaders

Designed especially for you, the Tips for State and Regional Leaders document shares insight and ideas regarding:

  • Membership
  • Conferences and convenings
  • School-based preparation, planning, and scheduling
  • Communications and advocacy

Making the Case

Looking for language or a tool to make the case for support of visual arts and design programs and positions or to start the conversation about taking action against racism in your setting or community? Check out these resources:

Questions and Support

Have a question or need more information about a topic mentioned above? Contact Christie Castillo, Director of Member Services and Database Operations, at Ccastillo@arteducators.org.