Western Region Column: Summer 2023

A Summer Salute to the Educators Who Make Our World More Beautiful!

Summer is here, and it’s time for that well-deserved relaxation and opportunity to recharge. You’ve worked tirelessly to provide your students with access to art education, even when funding is limited. You taught your students to see beauty in the ordinary and to create something new and beautiful from nothing. You’ve helped to create a more creative, innovative, and tolerant world. Celebrate these successes!

Two important celebrations of note—Western Region’s very own Dennis Inhulsen, NAEA Chief Learning Officer, is entering retirement this month. His work at NAEA has positively changed the trajectory of our Association, and we are so thankful for his incredible contributions to NAEA as we build on his fantastic accomplishments. Second, a shout-out to our outstanding award winners from our Region, including our Western Region Art Educator of the Year, Jeanne Bjork—who was honored in San Antonio in April. Congratulations!

Your state leadership has had many successes as well. Here is a sampling of the great things happening in the Western Region!

Kansas

In March, Kansas celebrated Youth Art Month at the Topeka Public Library with an exhibit, awards ceremony, and reception for student artists, teachers, family, and friends from across the state. KAEA Summer Camp, a popular member benefit, will be a Fiber Fest held June 20–21 in Great Bend. Plans are being made for “Color Your Way,” the KAEA fall conference held October 5–7 in Emporia.

Michigan

Michigan is excited to host the Western Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids this June. We have a state conference planned for fall 2023, within the city of Ann Arbor. We will offer a variety of sessions, keynotes, tours, and workshops within the Ann Arbor community. MAEA would like to thank the volunteers that make this association so vibrant and successful.

[[image #### "A representation of some of the Michigan attendees at the 2023 NAEA Convention. This photo is taken in front of the Stargazer sculpture, nestled within the San Antonio Riverwalk."]]

Nebraska

Nebraska hosted its annual Youth Art Month exhibit at the Nebraska State Capitol in March. Works from K–12 artists across the state were displayed on the first floor of the Capitol—a space where state legislators visit while in session. On April 1, students, families, educators, and the community gathered to celebrate. The 2022 NATA Art Educator of the Year, Joe Bristol of Omaha, shared a message of advocacy for visual arts.

[[image #### "A young creator has her photo taken to capture the Youth Art Month celebration in Nebraska. Credit: Bob Reeker."]]

Missouri

The Missouri Art Education Association (MAEA) fall conference is in Knob Noster State Park, September 29–30, 2023, focused on hands-on workshops. The spring conference is March 14–16, 2024, in Kansas City at the Marriott Plaza Hotel. MAEA honors all NAEA and state memberships. MAEA has given away over $8,000 in free membership or conference grants to assist art educators since the pandemic. Visit https://www.maea.net.

Minnesota

AEM is working hard to build connections with artists, educators, and the community. From increased support for preservice teachers’ technological feats in a new brand, website, and social media platform, we want to focus on equitable accessibility in our evolving organization. We are gearing up for a new way of thinking toward our upcoming mini-conference and look forward to sharing our connections with Minnesota artists, museums, and more at NAEA 2024! You betcha we are excited!

New Mexico

New Mexico is celebrating the reestablishment of the Fine Arts Education Act funding during its 20th year, 10 years of New Mexico Scholastic Art Awards, and continuing our 50th year of affiliation by gathering all 27 state past presidents together. A Four Corners Summit in 2024 will focus on leadership and New Mexican Indigenous cultures. We are inviting Texas and Oklahoma art teachers to our “Engage With the Future” conference in Portales at Eastern New Mexico University, October 27–29, 2023.

Ohio

Ohio has had a remarkable year of change. As an organization, we have peeled back the layers on our language within our policies and procedures and revamped our mission to align with our position on equity, diversity, and inclusion. This summer, we’ll take a deep dive into our awards processes for the growth, health, and development of our organization. We are making some shifts to the structure of our conference schedule in November in hopes of maximizing our time spent learning, bonding, and growing without the rush and exhaustion that often coincides with the conference.

Thank you to all the art educators who make a difference in the lives of their students and volunteer time to contribute to the profession. Your work is essential, and we appreciate you!

Column by:

Theresa McGee, Regional Vice President
Art and Digital Media Educator, Hinsdale Middle School, Hinsdale, IL. Email: naeawesternvp@gmail.com

Carrie Barnett, Regional Vice President–Elect
Upper School Art Educator, Cincinnati, OH. Email: naeawesternvpelect@gmail.com