NAEA believes the opportunity to discover, experience, and appreciate original works of art from diverse cultures, times, and places is a vital part of a comprehensive education and can be an important component of lifelong learning. Further, NAEA asserts that excellent object-based teaching approaches are necessary to foster profound and memorable learning experiences in the museum environment. Museum educators center learning around original works of art to help people see and understand the world and themselves in a variety of ways and provide them with knowledge and skills to engage with and interpret art on their own.

To achieve excellence in art museum teaching, museum educators:

• Create a learning environment where people feel welcome, comfortable,and respected, enabling them to engage in dialogue about works of art, with each other, and with the museum educator.
• Actively engage people in processes of creative and critical thinking through dialogue-based and participatory methods.
• Engage with a variety of teaching approaches and strategies to connect effectively with diverse learners.
• Connect original works of art to people’s lives by choosing objects that reflect the complexity and diversity of human cultures and experiences.
• Develop partnerships with all educators that support cocreation of meaningful museum experiences to support and intensify learning in and beyond the classroom.
• Develop partnerships with community organizations and leaders that are mutually beneficial and transparent, leading to the genuine co-creation of programs and events.
• Design learner-centered experiences that address the needs, and interests of their audiences, partners, and cocreators.

Education and preparation for excellent art museum teaching requires:

• An understanding of the history of the museum(s) where one works, as well as the history of art museum(s) worldwide, with special attention to histories of equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion—both absent and present.
• An understanding of the needs and characteristics of museum audiences, physical visitors, digital visitors, and nonvisitors alike.
• Knowledge of art history, museum education, art education, art practice, and other disciplines as they relate to works of art.
• Knowledge and application of educational theory, research, and practice relevant to the field of museum education.
• Knowledge of individual works of art, their creators, and context, especially in the museum’s permanent collection and on view in the museum’s galleries.
• Professional development, ongoing learning, and reflective practice to enhance their effectiveness as art museum educators.

NAEA Position Statement on Excellence in Art Museum Teaching