Committed to supporting art educators in their quest to excel as leaders, NAEA has designed a 21st-century flagship program: School for Art Leaders at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

The Program

Since 1947, art educators representing all states, regions, and work contexts have provided volunteer leadership service that has shaped the field of art education and positioned the National Art Education Association (NAEA) as the premier professional community for art educators. Committed to supporting art educators in their quest to excel as leaders, NAEA has designed a 21st-century flagship program: School for Art Leaders. Utilizing experiential action learning modules and in-depth conversations with expert leaders, the program provides participants with learning experiences and skills to successfully lead in any environment.

The program design is geared specifically for art educators and is based on the work and recommendations of the NAEA Leadership Development Task Force. Five different leadership models provide a strong basis for the content of the work, with specific individual and group exercises woven throughout the experience.

• The NAEA Art Educator Competency Model (developed by the Leadership Development Task Force)
• Thurber–Zimmerman Empowerment/Leadership Model
• Mindful Leadership 
• Total Leadership
• Emotional Intelligence
• Storytelling 
• Strategies to Support Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Leadership

Those selected for each class annually will contribute to the development of an extraordinary community cohort committed to leadership excellence. Upon successful completion, participants become members of the national School for Art Leaders network and are positioned to excel as leaders in education, the arts, and advocacy.

Eligibility

Art education professionals who are new to leadership as well as those who have a range of leadership experience and are looking to enhance their skills are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will:

• Have five years or more of professional practice and currently working as an art educator (school/school district, museum, college/university, local or state agency, community organization, or other work context).
• Commit to fully participating in the ten-month program, including a longitudinal study on leadership impact in art education upon completion of the program.
• Have organizational support from a state association and/or your school/institution.

NAEA expects that the program graduate's will actively apply their leadership skills in ways that will enhance their institutions, and/or NAEA and its affiliates, and contribute a positive impact on the field of art education.

2025 Program Commitment

The purpose of the School for Art Leaders at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to provide an experience that both inspires and prepares art educators to become active leaders of positive change in the field of art education.

A cohort of no more than 25 participants annually will form a learning community throughout this ten-month program. Participants will meet in a kickoff orientation in preparation for a 5-day intensive experience, taking place at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Following the intensive experience, participants will continue to learn and support one another through application of leadership experiments and debriefing sessions through coaching and mentoring for the next 9 months.
 

Selection Process

Each class is limited to 25 individuals annually. Each application is carefully read and scored by a minimum of three reviewers to determinean average score, then the final decisions are made by a selection committee.The reviewers consist of a diverse group of SAL Alumni and the selection committee is made up of a diverse group of active NAEA leaders.Both reviewers and the selection committee remain anonymous throughout the selection process.The reviewers and selection committee are committed to NAEA’s goal of supporting the leadership development of art educators toward creating a pool of leader-ready individuals to advance the profession and the field. Selection will be based on the committee’s evaluation of the readiness for the experience and application of the leadership skills. The selection will also ensure diverse professional experience, volunteer service, geographic designation, ethnicity, and other indications of leadership potential.

NAHS and NJAHS students are invited to apply for the volunteer leadership position of a student ambassador on the National Art Honor Societies (NAHS/NJAHS) National Student Council. 

The National Art Education Association (NAEA) seeks applications from middle and high school students who are registered NAHS/NJAHS chapter members interested in serving as ambassadors on the NAHS/NJAHS National Student Council. The NAHS/NJAHS National Student Council will meet virtually, cohost NAEA Open Studio Conversations, and provide feedback to NAEA regarding the NAHS/NJAHS programs. 

This position is designed for passionate and dedicated students with a deep appreciation for visual arts, design, and/or media arts; strong leadership qualities; and a commitment to promoting the highest standards in art scholarship, character, and service. 

 About the NAHS/NJAHS National Student Council Ambassadors: Members of the NAHS/NJAHS National Student Council will include eight NAHS/NJAHS Student Ambassadors—two from each NAEA region: Eastern Region, Southeastern Region, Western Region, and Pacific Region. [link to NAEA region maps]

Qualifications: Student ambassadors must be active members of a registered chapter of NAHS or NJAHS for the 2024–2025 school year.

High School–Level Student Council Ambassadors must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a current high school student. 
• Be a member of a registered NAHS chapter. 
• Have been an active member of their school’s NAHS chapter (or NJAHS chapter in middle school) for at least 1 year. 
• Commit to participating in four (4) quarterly virtual meetings.  

Middle-Level Student Council Ambassadors must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a current middle school student. 
• Attend a school with a registered NJAHS chapter. 
• Have been an active member of their school’s NJAHS chapter for at least 1 year. 
• Commit to participating in four (4) quarterly virtual meetings.  

Terms of Service and Appointment: Members serve a 1-year term. The term will begin on October 28, 2024, and conclude on July 1, 2025. 

NAHS/NJAHS National Student Council nominations must be submitted online by September 20, 2024, by the chapter sponsor and include a personal statement written by the student and a letter of recommendation. NAHS/NJAHS National Student Council ambassadors are selected from applications submitted and appointed by the NAEA Youth and Preservice Program Manager and NAHS Council. Members will meet virtually and participate in four meetings annually and cohost one of two Open Studio Conversations. Total commitment is approximately 8 hours per year. 

NAEA is now accepting applications from members who wish to serve on the 2024 Nominating Committees. Positions are available on 3 nominating committees: The Board of Directors Nominating Committee; the Research Commission Nominating Committee; and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) Commission Nominating Committee. 

NAEA is seeking one member from each NAEA Region for the Research Commission Nominating Committee and ED&I Commission Nominating Committee; and one member from each NAEA Region and each NAEA Division for the Board of Directors Nominating Committee. View the NAEA Membership Regions.  

About the Committees: 

The NAEA Board of Directors guides the Association forward on behalf of NAEA’s members and their learners. In advance of odd-numbered years, the committee shall prepare a slate of two candidates for each President-Elect and Division Directors-Elect. The NAEA Board will ratify the committees and designate the Chairs.  

Application deadline: July 12, 2024. 

The NAEA Research Commission advances the ongoing research needs of the visual arts education field. Commissioners coordinate and communicate about research that relates to the needs of practitioners and stakeholders who are concerned with understanding critical questions of importance to the field to provide the highest quality visual arts education possible in our schools and educational institutions.  

Application deadline: September 27, 2024. 

The NAEA ED&I Commission works in concert with the NAEA Board of Directors, state association affiliates, and members to respond to previously unaddressed and newly emerging issues to advance NAEA’s ED&I recommendations (developed by the ED&I Task Force), as well as to fully realize this work.  

Application deadline: September 27, 2024. 

A nominating committee member must:
 

• Be a current member of NAEA. 
• Possess a reasonable knowledge of the workings and structure of the group for which they are reviewing nominations. 
• Have the ability to confidently and clearly express their opinion regarding potential candidates. 
• Be willing to consider others’ opinions regarding potential candidates, 
• possess a clear understanding of why they would like to serve on this committee, as well as what they would bring to the Nominating Committee. 
• Support NAEA’s mission along with its goals relating to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

If you plan to submit your nomination for one of these elected or appointed positions, please do not apply to be on that Nominating Committee. 

For questions, please email Sydney Krieck at skrieck@arteducators.org