The National Art Education (NAEA) Leadership Council
Background
The National Art Education Association’s (NAEA) Strategic Vision 2021-25 identifies an opportunity to establish a Leadership Council to provide strategic direction and to elevate the value of visual arts, design, and media arts education for diverse stakeholders nationally. The development of the inaugural Council is underway, with official establishment slated for spring 2023. Managed by NAEA’s executive director, the Council will complement the NAEA Board of Directors’ deep art education knowledge by recruiting arts-passionate individuals from fields outside art education (such as business, finance, legal, and beyond) to offer their expertise in support of NAEA’s Mission and Vision. Additionally, the Council will serve as a fundraising mechanism for NAEA through the provision of individual and corporate gifts that support the growth of the association while also providing leads for future Leadership Council members.
Why the NAEA Leadership Council is Important
The case for visual arts, design, and media arts education today could not be more urgent. Scarcity of funding and uneven support for public education threatens the vitality of visual arts, design, and media arts education across the country. The dynamic cultural changes of the last two years make the social and emotional growth of public school students more important now than at any time in the National Art Education Association’s 75-year history. NAEA believes instruction in visual arts, design, and media arts are essential for a well-rounded education. We envision a future where abundance and equity inform the reality of arts programming in K-12 schools.
The Council presents a significant opportunity for supporting visual arts education and future creative generations on a scale that matters. NAEA, a 501©(3) organization, serves more than 16,000 visual arts, design, and media arts educators across the U.S. and internationally. Our members hold positions at all levels, including roles as K-12 classroom arts educators, arts education supervisors and administrators, museum educators, professors of art education, researchers, state art education association leaders, National Art Honor Society chapter sponsors, and community-based artists. Their combined work supports the educational engagement and personal growth of nearly 50 million public, private, and charter school students nationwide.
The NAEA Leadership Council will provide expert guidance and financial impact to strengthen and grow the work being done at NAEA. The association supports educators and acts to make art accessible, equitable and inclusive, especially for the historically marginalized.
Become or Suggest an NAEA Leadership Council Member
Directly impact the future of art, design, and media arts education with a nomination to the inaugural NAEA Leadership Council. NAEA Leadership Council members will each serve a 3-year term, with the option to renew after their term is complete. They are required to attend 3 meetings per year (one in-person and two virtual), serve on a Council Committee, and make an annual gift to NAEA for each year of service. Potential Council members should not work directly in the field of visual arts education.
Would you like to suggest a potential NAEA Leadership Council member or express interest in becoming a member yourself? Please complete this form.
To learn more about the NAEA Leadership Council, please email Mallory Miller, NAEA Management Fellow at mmiller@arteducators.org.
