Month: March 2020

Drawing Act 150: Let’s Celebrate – Posted by Mrs. Alice Gentili

150 years ago on May 16, 1870, Massachusetts passed An Act relating to free instruction in drawing, which has become known as the 1870 Drawing Act. This declared drawing instruction a vital part of public school education. MAEA is partnering with the Drawing Act Coalition to sponsor a community art installation this May.

MAEA’s Advocacy Liaison Alice Gentili composed an article about the Drawing Act. In her article she includes many resources for teachers, along with an extensive history of the Drawing Act and how it was implemented in education at the time.

Take a look at the the original drawing instruction book, the Teacher’s Companion to the American Drawing Slates and Cards and the collection of Drawing Cards from within the book. Thanks to Alice Gentili for creating these amazing resources!

To learn more about the Drawing Act Exhibits click below.

Drawing Act 150

Drawing At School: 1870-2020

March 26, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Statewide YAM & MAEA Recognitions Exhibit – Exhibit Update

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak the State Transportation Building in Boston, where MAEA manages the 2nd Floor Atrium Gallery space, is currently closed to the public. The Statewide Youth Art Month exhibit and the Massachusetts Amazing Emerging Artists Recognitions exhibit, which were scheduled to come down March 26 will continue to stay on display until we have a better idea of when we can get the show down and work returned back to teachers and students.
If you need a piece returned to you sooner please contact us and we will do our best to make arrangements.
Please contact:

We are in uncharted territory and we appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate this together.

We are happy to share that the professional photographs taken at the Family Day Celebration have been shared with us. You can find the images here . Please feel free to share with your students and their families.
March 24, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Remote Learning Resources

With many art educators across the state planning for distance learning or online learning through April 6 the MAEA Board of Directors wanted to share a collection of resources we’ve put together ourselves or have seen shared online. Click here to view resources.

Each school and/or district is approaching this differently, so please check with your appropriate administrator before implementing any of these resources.

If you have additional items to add to this resource list, please feel free to email webmaster@massarted.com with additional materials.

March 23, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Call for Art – 2021 MAEA Awards

The MAEA Awards Committee is currently accepting art submissions from artists for the 2021 MAEA awards. These will be awarded to our 2021 MAEA award winners at the MAEA awards program held at the 2020 MAEA conference. The selected image will be printed on glass via Fracture for the awards ceremony. The deadline for submission is September 13, 2020. Learn more.

March 22, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Youth Art Month Central MA Exhibit – Virtual Tour

The Family Reception at the Worcester Art Museum was scheduled for this weekend, and while that was cancelled, we are happy to share the virtual tour for you to enjoy.

Congratulations and thank you to all the students with work in the exhibit, the teachers who support and inspire them, and to the group of teachers who annually volunteer their time to coordinate this exhibition. Thank you to the to the Worcester Art Museum for their continued support. And finally a huge thanks to Amanda Bastien, the Central MA Regional Exhibition Committee Chair and Elizabeth Buck the WAM Manager of Studio Class Programs.

March 21, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Call for Award Nominations – Deadline May 1

Here is your chance to celebrate your outstanding colleagues and nominate them for the 2021 MAEA Art Educator Awards. MAEA will honor the award recipients at the 2020 MAEA Conference in November. The submission deadline is May 1, 2020.

Don’t forget you can also toot your own horn and ask your administration to nominate you for an award!

There are over 15 different MAEA Awards – Click here for more information and to submit a nomination.

March 20, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Celebrating the Drawing Act – Updated Exhibit Information

150 years ago, on May 16, 1870, Massachusetts passed An Act relating to free instruction in drawing , which has become known as the Drawing Act of 1870 . This was the first law in the nation requiring drawing to be taught in public schools and communities, passed by our own Massachusetts legislature!

Drawing at School: 1870-2020 – Exhibit Dates to be Determined

MAEA would like to celebrate the progress art education has made over those 150 years.

Please note we have had to make adjustments to this exhibit. It was previously planned to be installed during April vacation. We are hoping to run the exhibit during the summer, but with most schools not currently in session, the exact dates of this exhibit are to be determined. We will update the details for this exhibit as soon as we have more information.

When details are finalized for this exhibit we invite all teachers to submit up to 6 student drawings and 1 personal drawing for the show. All students are welcome from early childhood through college.

Questions? Email exhibitions@massarted.com

Drawing Act 150 – A Great Opportunity for Remote Learning

Help celebrate the 150th year of the Drawing Act by asking your students, their families, and your colleagues, friends and family to create a small drawing of something seen every day.

The Drawing Act Coalition* invites everyone to contribute original drawings to celebrate this anniversary.  Drawings could be a tree outside your window, your keys, a parking meter, or a family member’s face. One of the possible public displays includes a community art installation at the Massachusetts State House this May.  See the attached flyer for all the details!

Who can participate in Drawing Act 150?

Everyone! We welcome submissions from anyone across Massachusetts. Please note, The Drawing Act Coalition is requesting that submissions be sent in digitally (photograph of the work or digital drawing) instead of mailed in.

Deadline and More Information

The submission deadline for drawings is currently April 29. See the attached flyer for more information.

Questions? Email DrawingAct@MassArt.edu

March 19, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Upcoming Exhibit Opportunities for Art Educators

MAEA is excited to share that there are a number of exhibit opportunities for art educators across the state. The Davis Art Gallery in Worcester and Montserrat Galleries in Beverly have recently put out a call for entry. Please check the exhibit opportunities page on the MAEA website for all the  details.

If you know of an exhibit opportunity for art educators please share this opportunity with webmaster@massarted.com to post.

March 18, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Youth Art Month Regional Exhibit Cancellations

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak there have been a number of closings and cancellations. Please check in with institutions directly before visiting for updated information.

Youth Art Month 2020: Central MA Regional Exhibition

The exhibit has been extended until April 13. If you need to get student work back sooner, please contact Amanda Bastien, Youth Art Month Committee Chair for the Central MA Regional Exhibition
The Family reception scheduled for March 22 has been cancelled. Please visit the Worcester Art Museum website for updated information.
View the Youth Art Month exhibit virtually here.

Cape Cod – Cape Code Museum of Art – Through Young Eyes

The reception scheduled for March 19 has been cancelled. 

Cape Cod – Cape Cod Art Center – Beginnings
The high school exhibit scheduled for March 16-20 and the reception scheduled for March 20 have been cancelled. 
March 17, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0