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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
New President-Elect
- Awards Committee Chair Now – Dec 31, 2022
- Secondary Division Director Now – Dec 31, 2022
- Retired Representative Now – Dec 31, 2023
- Community Arts Representative Now – Dec 31, 2023
- Exhibitions Committee Chair Now – Dec 31, 2023
- Advocacy Liaison Now – Dec 31, 2023
- Webmaster Now – Dec 31, 2023
- Publications Editor Now – Dec 31, 2023
Art21 Summer PD Opportunities
Art21 has a number of virtual events coming up in August for educators. Rethinking Curriculum on August 1, ArtBreak on August 3 which includes watching Wangechi Mutu’s Art21 film & some art making, & Pay Attention on August 17. Details and direct links to register can be found below!
Art21 Virtual Teacher Workshop: Rethinking Curriculum – Aug 1
In this session, two alumni of Art21 Educators will share some classroom practices to help develop the skill of noticing and paying attention in both students’ lives and in our own as artists and educators. Through detailed and challenging journaling exercises and regular image-making, we can train ourselves and others to hold on to more of our daily experiences, for the purpose of both mindfulness and mining for art. This session will incorporate strategies of list-making by Lynda Barry as well as camera-roll journaling, long-viewing exercises, and other activities in order to develop a practice of paying attention and activating our memories more regularly.
Call for Art – 2022 MAEA Awards
The MAEA Awards Committee is currently accepting art submissions from artists for the 2023 MAEA awards. These will be awarded to our 2023 MAEA award winners this fall. The selected image will be printed on glass via Fracture for the awards ceremony. The deadline for submission has been extended through October 1, 2022. Learn more here.
Cast Your Vote to Elect Cari DiCicco to the role of MAEA President-Elect
We are happy to share that Caroline has expressed interest in the role of MAEA President-Elect! While Cari is running unopposed, please take a moment to cast your vote in support of Cari. You will find the ballot in an email that was sent to MAEA member emails on July 25 from president@massarted.com. The deadline to cast your vote is August 3, 2022.
Below you can read her full bio as well as what additional positions we are currently looking to fill on the MAEA Board of Directors.
Caroline “Cari” A. DiCicco is the K-12 Art Coordinator for the Everett Public Schools. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Lesley University. She has been an active visual art educator in the greater Boston area since 2008, and is an avid painter and sculptor. She has supervised aspiring educators from both Framingham State University, Tufts University and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and has guest lectured in the Art Education departments of Framingham State and Mass Art. This past year, she has completed the MTA and NEA’s Teacher Leadership Institute and facilitated professional development for Everett educators surrounding Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. She received a Crystal Award for her capstone project at this year’s annual MTA meeting. Cari has spent the last few years teaching visual art at the George Keverian School, as well as leading their well attended Art Club. She and her students have participated in various art exhibitions at the Malden courthouse, Everett City Hall, as well as murals at Beautification Way and Rivergreen Park during Mayor Carlo DeMaria’s Spring Clean Up Day. Cari recently exhibited work in Montserrat College of Art’s annual Inspired Views exhibition. In her spare time, she is passionate about helping others enhance their lives through fitness as a local CrossFit Coach and recently won first place at an RPS Powerlifting Meet.
- Awards Committee Chair Now – Dec 31, 2022
- Secondary Division Director Now – Dec 31, 2022
- Retired Representative Now – Dec 31, 2023
- Community Arts Representative Now – Dec 31, 2023
- Exhibitions Committee Chair Now – Dec 31, 2023
- Advocacy Liaison Now – Dec 31, 2023
- Webmaster Now – Dec 31, 2023
- Publications Editor Now – Dec 31, 2023