NAEA Awards

Each year the NAEA Awards Program offers the opportunity to nominate outstanding art educators in all Divisions and Regions, and from each state and province for national recognition.

2025 NAEA Awards Program nominations closed on November 1 at 11:59pm ET.

Program Objectives

• To recognize excellence in the many outstanding individuals, state/province associations, and programs of NAEA.
• To focus professional attention on quality art education and exemplary art educators.
• To increase public awareness of the importance of quality art education.
• To set standards for quality art education and show how they can be achieved.
• To provide tangible recognition of achievement, earn respect of colleagues, and enhance professional opportunities for NAEA members.

Who Can Nominate?

Individual Members, State/Province Associations, and NAEA Interest Groups

Eligibility

NAEA members who meet the established criteria are eligible for nomination. NAEA membership is not required for the Distinguished Service Outside the Profession award, the COMC J. Eugene Grigsby award, or the Eisner Lifetime Achievement award. See complete eligibility details in the Awards Program Booklet.

Award Selection

Nominations and supporting documentation are submitted to the NAEA Awards Coordinator using the online nomination form linked in the Awards Program Booklet.

State/province award committees select their own state/province award recipient and submit the name to the NAEA using the official State/Province Art Educator form. Contact your state/province association for guidelines.

Deadlines

The 2025 NAEA Awards Program nominations closed on November 1 at 11:59pm ET. This timeline allows the selection committees sufficient time to review documentation, verify membership, make final decisions, and submit the names of winning recipients to NAEA.

Award Presentations

Awards are presented at the NAEA National Convention.

Press Release

Before the annual NAEA National Convention each awardee will receive a press release via email that they can forward to employers, local, media, art departments, school administrators, etc.