Conference 2020 Update

Planning was underway for the annual MAEA conference to be hosted at Worcester State University in the fall of 2020. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, on April 9, 2020, the MAEA Board of Directors voted to shift planning to a virtual conference for the 2020 annual MAEA conference.

The conference committee is currently researching and exploring options for this event and we would love your feedback. Please share your thoughts and ideas in this short survey. If you have questions please contact MAEA Conference Committee Chair, Shannon Carey.

We look forward to hosting an in-person event in the Worcester area in the future!

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 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

2020 NAEA Eastern Region Awards

Congratulations to all of the award winners who would have been celebrated at the 2020 NAEA convention. A Special congratulations to Kristi Oliver, 2020 Eastern Region Art Educator of the Year, as well as Lizzie Fortin, 2020 Massachusetts Art Educator of the year.

Other art educators recognized at the convention include Caddy Cicogna, 2020 Eastern Region Preservice Art Educator of the year; Michelle Grohe, 2020 National Museum Education Art Educator of the Year; Patty Bode 2020 National Ziegfeld Award Recipient, United States Society for Education Through Art.

See more about the 2020 NAEA Eastern Region Awards here.

April 16, 2020 Melissa Mastrolia 0

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