Youth Art Month: Flag Contest –

Celebrate Youth Art Month – Have your students enter the Youth Art Month Flag Contest. This contest is open to students in grades K-12. Each teacher may submit up to 10 entries. The submission deadline is January 13, 2023.

This year’s theme is YOUR ART YOUR VOICE.

One Grand Prize winner will receive a $200 art supply gift card for winning student. PLUS $100 art supply gift card for your classroom. And to top it off, the grand prize work will be displayed at NAEA’s national convention in San Antonia, Texas!!!

In addition, $100 art supply gift cards will be awarded to one student winner in grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Plus an additional $100 art supply gift card for the winning students’ classrooms.

Learn more about the Youth Art Month Flag Contest here.

November 2, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Museum of Fine Arts Professional Development Opportunities

Art and Science: Conservation Center Open House: The MFA’s first back-in-person session for K-12 educators and college faculty is coming up next Wednesday, November 9, 4:00 pm–6:30 pm. Visit the Conservation labs to learn about the incredible work conservators do in art and science at the MFA. Visit Art and Science: Conservation Center Open House to reserve your free ticket! Online Educator Workshop – Save the Date: Wednesday January 11, 2023, 4 -5:30pm EST, in connection with the exhibition Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina, presented through a collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The High Museum, and the University of Michigan Museum of Art. More information coming soon.
November 2, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Join the Board

The MAEA board is filled by MAEA members just like you. Consider giving back to your state association in the role of an official board position. The MAEA Executive Committee positions of Secretary, Treasurer, and ED&I Director-Elect are open for a two-year appointment, starting ASAP.
Interested members, as well as eligible incumbents should submit a letter of intent, resume/CV, short biography (250 word), and headshot for the election to Jaimee Taborda at secretary@massarted.com.
The following appointed board positions are open for a two-year appointment that starts ASAP.
  • Elementary Division Director
  • Secondary Division Director
  • Higher Education Division Director
  • Supervision/Administration Division Director
  • Conference Committee Chair
  • Awards Committee Chair
  • Webmaster (non-voting)

We have a number of positions open for a partial term:

  • Community Arts Representative Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Exhibitions Committee Chair Now – Dec 31, 2023
  • Publications Editor Now – Dec 31, 2023
Interested members as well as eligible incumbents are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please submit a letter of intent and an updated resume/CV via email to secretary@massarted.com.
October 31, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Southeastern Massachusetts PD Opportunity

Adaptive Approaches and Creative Journaling for the 21st Century Art Educator The NBAM/ArtWorks! Art educator professional development workshop is offered in collaboration with Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative.

Cost $150 Location: McCoy Recreation Center New Bedford 181 Hillman Street, New Bedford, MA, 02740 MACourse #: 2022-33 Course Info Contact: Sherri Tetrault, 508-998-5599 ex 130, stetrault@smecollaborative.org Instructors: Susan Loesl, Taylor Hickey, Devin “Nived” McLaughlin

Registration deadline is October 30. Requests for withdrawals and refunds must be made prior to deadline.  All cancellations subject to a $50 administration fee.

Registration on Smart PD https://app.smartedu.net/smec/pd or email Sherri Tetrault at stetrault@smecollaborative.org or call 508-9985599 ex 130.

Session I: Topic Virtual Interactive Presentation: Adaptive Art Strategies for All Learners

Art educators can be challenged to create opportunities for students with disabilities in the art room. This workshop focuses on discussing and trying adaptive tools, techniques and media as strategies to support all the learners in the artmaking process. Examples of adapted art activities will also be presented. Specific student and tweaked lesson plan questions are encouraged.

Session II: “Smash Book” Journals

Join NBAM/ArtWorks! educators Taylor Hickey and Devin ‘Nived Art’ McLaughlin as they lead you step-by-step through creating your own mixed media piano-hinge journals.This project is designed to meld the teaching styles of step by step instruction and open ended problem solving. Participants will be given all the tools to create the journal and freedom to think creatively and make a unique art piece.

This type of artful journaling captures ideas with writing, drawing, painting, or pasting memorabilia and other embellishments into your hand made book. You can use this book as a dream journal, scrapbook, poetry book, personal diary, sketch book, or lesson planner! The limit is your own imagination!

All materials will be included but please feel free to bring your own personal embellishments, clippings, or favorite art mediums to personalize your creation. Base paper stock size 9×12.

October 25, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Call for Articles – Conference Edition MAEA News

The deadline for the conference edition of the MAEA News is February 3, 2023.
As you prepare to present or attend the 2022 conference, or as you reflect on what you learned and utilized from past conferences, consider writing an article for the MAEA News.
If you are interested in contributing an article, check out submission guidelines here. Be sure to email editor@massarted.com to submit your article or to discuss article ideas. Please remember to include a signed Artwork Release form and a Photo Release form, as needed.

Check out the most recent edition of the MAEA News.

October 11, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Youth Art Month Flag Contest

Do you know about the Massachusetts Art Education Association’s annual Flag Contest?  Youth Art Month Committee Chair Amy Hussey has some ideas for you to make participation this year easier! 

Each year MAEA hosts a statewide flag contest open to all student artists in Massachusetts. Every visual arts educator in the state is invited to submit up to ten flags for the contest. “Flags” are essentially posters created on paper and don’t require any special equipment or supplies. The winning design is printed on a fabric flag by the MAEA Youth Art Month committee and displayed. 

There are four categories (k-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) with generous prizes for winning artists AND their teachers in each category. And the Grand Prize winning flag is sent to represent Massachusetts at the National NAEA convention! What an honor for a young artist to have their work displayed in a national capacity to represent their state!

I know the idea of adding “one more thing” to an art teacher’s already packed schedule and curriculum can feel impossible, but I have some tips and tricks to make participating quite doable and well worthwhile.

First, I make participation in the contest a requirement for one grade level only. Students in all grades are encouraged to participate as time allows, or they can create a flag at home if they don’t have enough studio time.  

I find the flag contest the perfect jumping off point to teach about the work of graphic designers. In our highly visual environment, it is essential young people learn to recognize the influence of graphic media on the feelings they elicit and the choices we make. We then work as a class to examine a variety of print and digital media paying attention to the font, images, colors and even symbols. It is exciting to see the light bulbs come on as young artists begin to recognize some of the subtle messaging presented. This is followed by small groups who work together to identify examples of graphic design and share ideas about the target audience, the intended message, and how that was communicated with images and text.

The following class period I introduce the flag contest and the criteria for entry. With a quick Google search, we looked at several previous winning flags.  Students are asked to look at the flag and see if they can deduce what the theme or message was the year the flag was created. 

Finally it is time to start brainstorming ways one might represent the theme of the year’s contest.  Last year the theme was Art Connects Us – I was impressed with the ideas students shared including, puzzle pieces, bridges, plant roots, gears, hands, etc. We also included a google search for symbols and images showing connection. Students then went on to generate several ideas and select one to develop further into a draft on the same size “rough draft” paper.  When artists were satisfied with their idea and had checked spelling, they moved on to Final Flag paper.

I chose to leave the media options open to anything that particular grade level has experience working with. This is a great option for my students as they don’t require much support around the technical skills of using media and student motivation is increased with the media choices available.

Being able to submit the flags digitally is another bonus. No trip to the post office! And I was able to use the physical flags around the school to promote our program and the importance of visual arts education.  

I hope you will find these tips helpful and that you too will participate in the 2023 Youth Art Month Flag Contest. Registration details coming soon!

October 4, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

PD Survey – Deadline October 17

We want to hear from you to help determine what professional development offerings best support our members. Check your email for the survey link (info@massarted.com).  Complete the survey by October 17 and be entered to win a $25 Amazon Gift card. 

If you aren’t on our mailing list, email pd@massarted.com from your school email and we will send you the link! 

October 3, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

MAEA Members Exhibit @ Worcester Art Museum

The MAEA Conference Committee is happy to announce that there will be a Members exhibit in conjunction with the MAEA Conference the heART of the Commonwealth in November! Active and retired MAEA Members are invited to submit their 2D artwork and 3D work for the annual MAEA Members exhibit at Worcester Art Museum.

The registration deadline is Friday October 14 with drop off locations accepting artwork the week of October 17-21. The exhibit will be on view November 2, 2022 – December 2, 2022 and there will be a reception on Saturday, November 13 , 2022 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.  Learn more and register for this exhibit today.

September 21, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Join the Board – Open Positions

Board membership is on a voluntary basis and members are appointed to a two-year term. This working board meets monthly. Minimal time is required outside of the regular meetings to execute specific tasks as delegated during board meetings, or to participate in extra initiatives around program development, community engagement, and strategic planning. 

Interested candidates should submit their resume/CV and letter of intent to info@massarted.com. 

Division Directors and Special Interest Representatives:
Candidate must be able to perform the following:

  • Act as a point person for elected division and relay issues and pertinent information using the MAEA procedure for emailing.
  • Attend (virtually or in-person) monthly board meetings and annual retreats.
  • Submit reports as needed to the shared Google Drive folder at least eight days prior to the scheduled Board meeting.
  • Review the reports in the shared Google Drive folder prior to the scheduled Board meeting.
  • Attend MAEA sponsored events, conferences, exhibitions, and/or activities.
  • Author or solicit at least three articles per year for the MAEA News (digital publication).
  • Chair or actively participate in at least one MAEA committee.
  • Review policy and procedures, and make recommendations for inclusion in the Policy Manual as in the best interest of the Association and its members.

Committee Chairs:
Candidate must be able to perform the following:

  • Act as a point person for the committee and relay pertinent information to the board.
  • Attend monthly board meetings either virtually or in person, if unable to attend notify the secretary as soon as possible.
  • Hold committee meetings, and document work via committee meeting template. Monthly meetings are suggested.
  • Submit a report via report template with highlighted action items as needed to the secretary at least eight days prior to the scheduled meeting. In addition to action items, reports should include committee accomplishments and future plans. 
  • Work with committee to reference, review, and update Policy Manual including procedures, timelines, and guidelines. Any changes to procedures and policies must be brought to the board for approval prior to implementation. These plans and actions must be in conformance with the overall strategic plans formulated by the Board of Directors.
  • With the assistance of the committee, submit an annual projected budget for approval by November for the following fiscal year (January 1).
  • Author or solicit from at least one article per year for the MAEA Newsletter.
  • Work toward advancing the mission of the Association.
  • Work with other committee chairs to coordinate efforts.

Secretary:
Candidate must be able to perform the following:

  • Keep a permanent record of all Association proceedings (Google Drive/Docs)
  • Keep complete accurate minutes of all meetings of the Association (Google Drive/Docs)
  • Submit via electronic means, proposed minutes within fourteen days after a meeting, for approval of the President, and upon approval of the President, send to the Board of Directors for their final approval
  • Post meeting agendas to the Association website and provide minutes to members upon request
  • Disseminate meeting agenda and reports as set by the President at least four days prior to the scheduled meeting
  • Include an account of the members who are present for meetings in minutes
  • Alert Board of Directors of the need for a quorum when votes outside of a board meeting are to be held
  • Appoint a representative to serve in his/her capacity should s/he be unable to attend a meeting
  • Prepare the membership report for upcoming meetings
  • Prepare press releases to be approved by the Executive Committee and disseminated to the appropriate venues once approved
  • Fulfill other duties and responsibilities as designated by the Board of Directors
  • Review policy and make recommendations for inclusion in the Policy Manual as in the best interest of the Association and its members

Webmaster:
Candidate must be able to perform the following:

  • Work with MAEA Board of Directors to maintain MAEA website. 
  • Review and correct links that aren’t working and pictures that aren’t appearing properly.
  • Examine and analyze site traffic.
  • Regulate and manage access rights of different MAEA website users.
  • Work with the PR committee to solicit content from the board, and support the board in updating that content. 
  • Update membership emails/contacts in Constant Contact and email.
  • Submit reports as needed to the Secretary at least eight days prior to the scheduled meeting.
  • Work toward advancing the mission of the Association.
  • Chair or actively participate in the Public Relations Committee. 
  • Review policy and procedures, and make recommendations for inclusion in the Policy Manual as in the best interest of the Association and its members.

Publications Editor:
Candidate must be able to perform the following:

  • Put out a digital publication of the MAEA News three times a year using InDesign. 
  • Edit article submissions (Google Docs) and format (InDesign) the MAEA News for publication.
  • Work with member of the PR Committee to review/edit spelling/grammar of articles as they are submitted via Google Drive and Google Docs. 
  • Notify the MAEA Board when articles are due. 
  • Review submission packets to make sure they are complete (Article, Images, Permission Paperwork).
  • Read and respond to emails sent to editor@massarted.com.
  • Keep submissions organized in MAEA Google Drive.
  • Communicate with organizations and institutions regarding advertisements for the MAEA News.
  • Work with the Public Relations Committee to review and revise policies related to the MAEA News.
    More information re: MAEA News: massarted.com/news/maea-news/

Advocacy Liaison:
Candidate must be able to perform the following:

  • Liaise with other Arts organizations.
  • Submit reports as needed to the Secretary at least eight days prior to the scheduled meeting.
  • Author or solicit at least one article focussing on advocacy per year for the MAEA News (digital publication).
  • Work toward advancing the mission of the Association.
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, conference, youth art month, public relations, student recognitions, exhibitions, or professional development. Committees typically meet monthly via Zoom.
September 19, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

MAEA Conference Registration is Now Open!

Early Bird tickets are on sale now through October 18 for the 2022 MAEA Conference hosted at the Worcester Art Museum and the Worcester Center for Craft in Worcester, MA on November 13, 2022.

Register today to save 40% off the non-member pricing. Bonus, the first 200 attendees to register will receive a swag bag! Be sure to check out the Conference page for more information about keynotes, sessions, exhibit opportunities, and more.

September 13, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0