National Art Education Association

The National Art Education Association (NAEA) advances visual arts education to fulfill human potential and promote global understanding. NAEA was founded in 1947 and is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts educators. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, its members number more than 14,000 visual arts and design educators in the pre-K through high school grades, college and university professors, researchers and scholars, supervisors and administrators, teaching artists, art therapists, media artists, museum educators, and preservice visual arts teachers in training. NAEA represents members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, United States possessions and international military bases, most Canadian provinces, and 25 foreign countries.

NAEA board, staff, and members seek to support a vibrant professional community that nurtures growth, change, and leadership to advance the field and the profession. These efforts occur through mentoring, networking, and collaboration as members participate in arts education conferences, contribute to a vibrant professional community, value diversity, and commit to equity.

NAEA members engage in events such as the national convention, state and regional conferences, summer programs, and international delegations. Members also serve as volunteer leaders on NAEA’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Commission, Research Commission, Professional Materials Committee, 20 Interest Groups, Distinguished Fellows, and editorial boards, including Art Education and Studies in Art Education, among others. NAEA offers its members state and national advocacy resources, academic research, and practical tools for art education implementation. Additionally, NAEA began the National Art Honor Society in 1978 and the National Junior Art Honor Society in 1989 to inspire and recognize students who have shown an outstanding ability and interest in art as they progress to high school and beyond. Today, more than 58,000 students receive national recognition, scholarships, and networking opportunities as members of these dynamic societies. Other programs include the School for Art Leaders, National and Regional Leadership Conferences, and various webinars.

NAEA’s vision is that learners of all ages benefit from comprehensive, balanced, and sequential learning in the visual arts and design, led and taught by qualified professional art educators. Art educators meet ethical and rigorous standards of excellence in preservice preparation, ongoing professional development, pedagogy, and inquiry in the field. School-based visual arts instruction surpasses national, state, and local standards and is strengthened by direct, intentional learning within art museums and other community resources. The power of the visual arts and design to enrich human experience and society is recognized and celebrated throughout the world.

As the 2026-2031 strategic planning process begins, NAEA’s 2021-2025 Strategic Vision identified five strategic goals and priorities as a framework to advance NAEA’s mission:

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – Ensure that NAEA’s community and organizational operations are inclusive and open to all.
• Learning – Nimbly serve learners through a variety of environments: virtual or remote, hybrid, and careful in-person instruction.
• Research & Knowledge – Develop a culture of supporting research throughout the association by empowering and inviting members across all divisions to participate in research as a core component of their visual arts, design, and media arts education practice.
• Advocacy & Policy – Engage with both traditional and nontraditional allies to build a national advocacy strategy centered on the importance, benefits, career opportunities, and contributions of visual arts, design, and media arts education to advance from information gathering and circulation to action and implementation strategies that can be utilized by and for educators.
• Community Vibrancy – Ensure an internally strong organization with the need to connect the organization's support and resources with the broadest community of visual arts, design, and media arts educators.

The NAEA Board of Directors serves as the governing authority to advance NAEA’s mission, determine its goals and priorities, and provide strategic direction and fiduciary oversight. The 15-member board of directors is composed of the President, President-Elect, Past President, four Regional Vice Presidents, and seven Division Directors—all elected by NAEA members. As a learning organization committed to succession planning and good governance, the NAEA Board also has 11 additional non-voting members consisting of four Regional Vice Presidents-Elect and seven Division Directors-Elect. The Executive Director is appointed by the board and serves as an ex-officio, nonvoting member.

The NAEA Executive Director leads a staff of 16 full-time employees and several independent contractors. NAEA’s current operating revenue is approximately $5.7 million. Operating revenues are comprised of 35% from grants and contributions, 25% from NAEA’s annual convention, 19% from membership dues, 9% from investment income and royalties, 7% from publication sales, and 5% from special programs and miscellaneous revenues.

The National Art Education Foundation (NAEF), a sister organization to NAEA, invests in innovative initiatives to support instructional practice, research, and leadership in visual arts education. As an independent, philanthropic organization, NAEF has supported 395 individual projects for NAEA members since its inception in 1985. It helps fund a variety of visual arts education programs for NAEA and its members, providing $630,000 since 2011, including the Research Commission Preconference and the School for Art Leaders.. NAEA’s Executive Director serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of NAEF, works closely with its Chair, participates on its Executive/Finance Committee, and is a voting member of the NAEF Board of Trustees. NAEF has current assets of $2.2 million.