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 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.

MAEA is partnering with the Drawing Act Coalition to sponsor a community art installation to be displayed some time in the fall of 2020. This installation was planned for the spring but has been postponed due to the the COVID-19 outbreak.

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. 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 has been extended through the summer and into the fall. An exact deadline will be shared as these details are finalized. See the attached flyer for more information.

Questions? Email DrawingAct@MassArt.edu

April 22, 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

Funding, Job Listings, Summer Programs – Opportunities

You will find many new opportunities highlighted on the MAEA website for both students and teachers. Be sure to visit the opportunities tab for funding opportunities, job listings, student contests, and summer programs for students and teachers.

One opportunity we think you won’t want to miss is the Snow Farm Art Retreat for Educators in late June. Snow Farm shares that it’s “Art camp for grown-ups”. Snow Farm is a DESE PDP provider, so you can also apply for PDPs if you attend the art retreat. More info.

Secondary art educators – Snow Farm also has a summer program for students age 14-18. Studios include ceramics, drawing & painting, glass blowing and many more. If a student of yours in a Scholastic gold or silver key winner with financial need, they can apply for a full summer scholarship. The deadline for scholarship is March 15.

February 27, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Snow Farm – Art Retreat for Educators, June 26 – 30

When the last bell rings, head to Snow Farm for art camp! Educators have the hardest (and most important) job, so after months of tending to the creative lives of others, turn the tables and tend to yourself.

Choose one workshop and sink into 3 full days of learning and making. Let us take care of all the planning and meals. Enjoy the lightening bugs at dusk and a bonfire at night (with smores, of course). Inspire yourself in the company of other educators and your next year will be inspired, too.

Educators include anyone who teaches or works in a public or private school, in higher ed, or in a community art setting. Snow Farm is a MA approved Professional Development Provider. Most states offer reciprocity. To apply for PDP, contact maryjo@snowfarm-art.org. Learn more here.

February 24, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Build Your Studio Practice at Montserrat from June 28 – July 3

Montserrat’s Wildly Popular Summer Program Designed for Art Educators is Back!

Montserrat’s Art Educator Summer Institute is a week-long residential summer program (June 28 – July 3) created for art educators teaching grades K through 12, and community college art educators. Our Summer Institute immerses art educators from across the country in our state-of-the-art studio spaces to focus on developing their own practice and build new skills that they can bring back to their classrooms.

Participants will spend the week living on Montserrat’s idyllic seaside campus, which is located in the vibrant downtown Arts District of Beverly, MA — just five train stops from Boston. Art educators will have access to an open studio space throughout the duration of the program.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Participants will engage in two workshops each day, taught by Montserrat’s faculty of professional artists and scholars. Workshop choices include:

Life Drawing

Digital Photo

Landscape Painting/Drawing

Printmaking

Creative Drawing

Warm Glass

Digital Illustration

A broad array of optional evening activities range from excursions to local museums and galleries, to local outings with members of the Montserrat community to experience all that our city has to offer. Come spend a week building meaningful connections with fellow art educators and pushing the boundaries of your own studio practice!

Learn more here, or e-mail admissions@montserrat.edu or call us at 978-921-4242 ext. 1153.

February 23, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Join the Board!

We are always looking to welcome MAEA members to the Board of Directors and Committees. All board meetings and committee meetings have the option to meet virtually, so we welcome members from across the state!

We have the following positions open for a partial or full term:

Museum Education Division Director – Now – December 31, 2020
Middle Level Division Director – Now – December 31, 2020
Retired Representative – Now – December 31, 2021
Awards Committee Chair – Now – December 31, 2020
Exhibitions Committee Chair – Now – December 31, 2021

Interested in becoming more involved, but aren’t ready to take the plunge into an official board position? Consider joining one of our active committees like awards, youth art month, public relations, student recognitions, or exhibitions .

For additional information about responsibilities and descriptions please refer to the MAEA Bylaws, Article III: Directors and Representatives .

Questions? Please contact Melissa Mastrolia at president@massarted.com.

February 11, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

2020 Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest

Entries Due March 1, 2020

Elementary, middle and high school teachers and their students are encouraged to participate in the 2020 Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest, an integral part of the 15th annual Endangered Species Day, celebrated on and around May 15, 2020.

Started in 2006 by the United States Congress, Endangered Species Day is a celebration of the nation’s wildlife and wild places. The Youth Art Contest provides K-12 students residing in the U.S. with an opportunity to learn about endangered animal and plant species and express their knowledge and support through artwork. Young artists who are home schooled and participate in youth groups are also eligible to submit their art. More than 1,300 young artists from throughout the country entered the 2019 contest.

Saving Endangered Species Youth Art contest entries should depict a land or ocean-dwelling species that either lives in or migrates through the United States and its waters and has been placed on the threatened/endangered species list. Artwork must be submitted electronically by March 1, 2020.

A prestigious panel of artists, photographers and conservationists will judge the artwork. Winners will be chosen in four categories: K-Grade 2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12, and will receive plaques and art supply gift packs (from Chartpak Inc.). In addition, one grand prize winner will be honored at a reception in Washington, D.C. in May 2020 and also receive a special art lesson from a professional artist.

The Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest is organized by the Endangered Species Coalition.

Visit www.endangeredspeciesday.org for more information, including complete contest guidelines, submission details, an art lesson plan, and the 2019 contest winners’ and semi-finalists’ artwork. If you have any questions, contact David Robinson (Endangered Species Day Director): drobinson@endangered.org

February 10, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

ART ALL-STATE 2020 – Deadline January 31st

The Massachusetts Art Education Association is proud to announce that Art All-State Massachusetts will celebrate its 33rd year in 2020 with a special Tape Art Edition! Each school or program may nominate two high school juniors.

Important Dates
January 1st: Intent to Nominate Form Due
January 31st: Application Materials Due
May 8th: Art All-State at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA
May 16th, 22nd and 30th: Art All-State at the Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, MA (accepted students will attend for one full day)

Please click here for more details.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact artallstatema@gmail.com

January 5, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Arts Integration Institute – Call for Proposals //DESE, Arts Learning, MA Cultural Council, Lesley University

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Arts/Learning and Lesley University are pleased to host the Institute on Leadership in Arts Integration on March 13th & 14th, 2020, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The Institute will bring leaders in arts integration from around Massachusetts to present models for designing and implementing arts integration programs in PreK-12 schools.

Keynote presenters at the Institute will include State and National leaders in the arts and education, including Jamie Kasper, the newly appointed Director of the Arts Education Partnership of the Education Commission of the States.

In order to provide a variety of models of leadership in arts integration, we are seeking proposals from arts specialists, classroom teachers, school leaders, artists, and other professionals who have engaged in designing arts integration programs in schools.

Call for Proposals for Presentations due Jan. 10th! Click here to download the form to submit your session proposal and for more information.

For information contact- madams@lesley.edu

December 27, 2019 Melissa Mastrolia 0