Art Education

To ensure NAEA is meeting the current needs of our members, we invite you to share your thoughts and opinions on the overall content, design, value, and scope of our NAEA publications by participating in a member-wide survey available from September 15 through October 2. There are six sections included in the survey, which may take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

This week, we celebrate National Arts in Education Week and recognize your commitment to art education and the vital role you play in the NAEA community. As you inspire the next generation of artists and creative thinkers, please know that NAEA is here to support you every step of the way.

In recognition of outstanding activities carried out during the year by a Preservice Chapter, the Retired Art Educators Alliance Interest Group (RAEA) annually invites nominations for the Outstanding Preservice Chapter Award (OCPA), sponsored by RAEA. The award, to be given annually, honors an outstanding NAEA Preservice Chapter. RAEA presents a certificate and a $400 monetary award to the selected chapter.

Senator Cory Booker and Representatives Chuy Garcia and Jahana Hayes are planning to reintroduce the Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students to Improve outcomes For Youth (DIVERSIFY) Act in September. This legislation aims to make teaching more financially accessible, especially for low- and middle-income and first-generation students who rely on the TEACH Grant, by reducing the debt and financial risk that often deters people from entering or completing educator preparation.

Art Education, the official journal of the National Art Education Association, is accepting nominations, including self-nominations, for additional Editorial Review Board (ERB) members willing to serve a 3-year term. Art Education is a peer-reviewed publication that maintains and supports the mission and strategic plan of NAEA covering a diverse range of topics of professional interest to art educators and those interested in quality visual arts education.

NAEA is excited to announce the official launch of the National Elementary Art Honor Society (NEAHS) for the 2026–2027 school year. Following a successful 2-year pilot with elementary art educators across the United States, NEAHS expands NAEA’s long-standing National Art Honor Society programs to recognize and celebrate outstanding elementary visual arts students.

NAEA Advocating for Visual Arts Educators and Learners NAEA continues to work with the Arts Education Alliance to champion arts education at a national level. Along with more than 60 organizations, NAEA signed on to the Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act, reintroduced last month by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.).

NAEA Open Studio: Submitting Your Presentation Proposal for NAEA27 Thursday, April 30, 2026 Cost: FREE! Join us for this Open Studio Conversation covering the basics of submitting a presentation proposal for the upcoming 2027 NAEA National Convention. Walk through the proposal submission process with Laura Grundler, Director of Learning and Program Development, and Ray Yang, Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Special Initiatives.

Registration fee: $175 per student (includes two meals) To register for the National Student Arts Leadership Conference, you must be an educator or a parent/guardian registering one or more students. Students cannot register for the conference directly. If you are a student interested in attending, please talk to your school’s administration, art educator, or your parent/guardian.

We are excited to offer access to recordings of 14 sessions from the 2026 NAEA National Convention! Even if you couldn’t join us in Chicago, you can still gain the information and inspiration from General Session Keynotes, Artist Series Speakers, and Super Sessions through the NAEA Professional Learning Studio—an receive professional learning credit for engaging online.* NAEA26 video access begins at the time of purchase and will be available through September 30, 2026.