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. Please reference the NAHS/NJAHS National Student Council Ambassador Rubric for evaluation criteria. 

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.

Qualifications: Student ambassadors must be active members of a registered chapter of NAHS or NJAHS for the 2025-2026 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 21, 2025, and conclude on July 1, 2026. If a student ambassador meets the required service obligations, they will have the option to serve a second term.

NAHS/NJAHS National Student Council nominations must be submitted online by September 8, 2025, 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. 

Timeline:
 May 1, 2025: Applications open
 September 8, 2025: Applications close
 October 20, 2024: Student council members announced

Tentative Meeting dates: All meetings take place on Zoom from 7:00–8:00pm ET 

• Q1 Meeting: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 
• Open Studio Conversation: Thursday, November 20, 2025 
• Rehearsal: Thursday, November 13, 2025 
• Q2 Meeting: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 
• Q3 Meeting: Tuesday, February 10, 2026  
• NAHS/NJAHS Saturday Student Studio Day: Saturday, February 21
• Open Studio Conversation: Thursday, April 23, 2026 
• Rehearsal: Thursday, April 16, 2026 
• Q4 Meeting: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 
• NAHS National Student Conference: July 22-24, 2026 (Optional attendance in Washington, DC) 

Questions? Contact Paula Liz, Youth and Preservice Program Manager, at PLiz@arteducators.org.

This form is to be submitted ONLY by a State/Province Association President or Awards Coordinator  to notify the NAEA Awards Coordinator of who has been selected by the State/Province to receive  recognition as the 2025 “State/Province Art Educator.”  THIS IS NOT A NOMINATION FORM.  If this form is not submitted by the State/Province Association President or Awards Coordinator as specified above, it will not be considered valid.

This form is due by 5:00 PM ET on October 31, 2024. 

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

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, this program provides participants with needed 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. Seven 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 annual class 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 and Qualifications 

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 5 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 10-month program, including possible inclusion in 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 program graduates 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. 

2026 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 10-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 annual class is limited to 25 individuals. Each application is carefully read and scored by a minimum of three reviewers to determine an average score, and all 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 experience and application of leadership skills. The selection will also ensure diverse professional experience, volunteer service, geographic designation, ethnicity, and other indications of leadership potential. 

Timeline 

• Application Open: Friday, August 1, 2025
• Application Close: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 
• Notification of Acceptance: Friday, November 21, 2025  
• Program Start: Thursday, June 4, 2026 
• Crystal Bridges Retreat: Monday, July 13, to Friday, July 17, 2026  
• Additional Key Program Dates: SAL 2026 Calendar  

To nominate a state/province association or interest group for a newsletter or website award, please complete this form no later than October 1, 2024. 

Questions? Please email Sydney Krieck at skrieck@arteducators.org