The Virtual MAEA Recognitions Exhibit is Live!

Congratulations to all of the artists with work in the exhibit! Please also take a moment to check out the 27 award winners on the MAEA website. 

Thank you to all of the educators who worked hard to make this virtual exhibit happen and to our sponsors, Davis Publications and Sargent Art.

MAEA Recognitions Committee 
Helen Downey, Former K-12 Curriculum Coordinator, Marlborough Public Schools; MAEA Treasurer
Laura Howick, Director of Education, Fitchburg Art Museum
Anne Kress, Retired Art Educator, Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools
Kathleen Flynn, Waltham High School
Brenna Johnson, Franklin High School
Rebecca Kostich, Groton-Dunstable Regional High School
Constance Moore, Winthrop High School
Diana Adams Woodruff, Former Visual Arts Director K-12, Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools; Recognitions Committee Chair
MAEA Recognitions Jury Panel:
Dr. Ralph Caouette: Adjunct Instructor, Fitchburg State University, NAEA 2021 MacArthur Goodwin Award for Distinguished Service Within the Profession
Anne Kress: Artist, Art Educator, Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools (Ret.)
Timothy O’Connor: Arts Administrator Scholastics /New England Art Conference Director (Ret.)
Dr. Kristi Oliver, Professional Development Manager, Davis Publications
Ann Holt PhD: Art & Design Educator, Visiting Assistant Professor, Pratt Institute School of Art, Adjunct Instructor, Adelphi University, Advisor and Artist Teacher, Arts Action Group, artsaction.org

SARGENT ART FOR SPONSORING Youth Art Month MAEA

March 27, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Congratulations!

The MAEA Executive Committee is excited to appoint the following MAEA members to the MAEA Board of Directors. MAEA terms run January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023 unless otherwise noted.

  • Diana Navarrete-Rackauckas | ED&I Director-Elect
  • Rebecca Kostich | NAHS Representative 
  • Margaurita Spear | Early Childhood Representative
  • Billy Claire | Independent Schools Representative
  • Laura Evonne Steinman | Special Needs Representative
  • Alyssa Taranto | Media Arts Representative
  • Lydia Gruner | Conference Committee Chair, term ends December 31, 2022
  • Diana Adams Woodruff | Student Recognition Committee Chair
  • Amy Hussey & Helen Downey | Youth Art Month Co-Committee Chairs

Currently open positions include: President-Elect, Retired Representative, Community Arts Representative, Exhibitions Committee Chair, Awards Committee Chair, Advocacy Liaison, Webmaster, Publications Editor, Secondary Division Director. Click here for more information as well as how to apply for any open position.

January 24, 2022 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Support MAEA by buying some MAEA merch

We are happy to share we have new merch available in conjunction with the 2021 MAEA Conference. Check out the QRSTs storefront to purchase your own 2021 Renew.Rebirth.Reinvigorate t-shirt or sweatshirt, or a newly redesigned WickedsmART t-shirt or sweatshirt.

November 11, 2021 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Arts Learning 34th Annual Champions of Arts Education Advocacy Awards

The 34th Annual Arts Learning Champions of Arts Education Advocacy Awards are a little more than 3 weeks away. This year’s event will be live AND Live-streamed!

Arts educators and advocates being celebrated are Diana Adams Woodruff, Senator Harriette L. Chandler, Lisa Donovan, Representative Carole Fiola, Alexandra Gelles Etscovitz, Julie Jaron, and Emily Ruddock.

Champions of Arts Education Advocacy Awards Ceremony will take place November 17 at Old Sturbridge Village Visitors Center Theatre.

REGISTER HERE to attend LIVE
REGISTER HERE to attend VIRTUALLY

Proof of vaccinations required.
Masks must be worn indoors.

6:30 p.m. – Reception for guests and honorees
7:30 p.m. – Ceremony

For 34 years we have recognized arts educators, administrators and policy makers who advocate for and support arts education in our Commonwealth.

October 25, 2021 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Fall/Winter MAEA News

In this issue you’ll find the President’s Message from Melissa Mastrolia, as well as articles and updates from Editor Jane McKeag, Billy Claire, Lydia Gruner, Maura Jereb, Emily Moran, Margaurita Spear, and Emily Valenza.
Thank you to everyone who submitted articles and updates for this edition of the publication!
Learn more about submitting on our website or email Jane McKeag at editor@massarted.com if you have any questions or would like her to walk you through the process.
October 20, 2021 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Congratulations Emily Ruddock

THE GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD
The Arts|Learning Good Neighbor Award is awarded to organizations or individuals who have gone out of their way to offer logistical, technical, moral, or financial support for arts education to thrive in their community.

As Executive director of MASSCreative, Emily Ruddock brings 15 years of experience in strategic and management positions for non-profit arts organizations. Before joining MASSCreative in 2017, Ms. Ruddock was the first director of the City of Lynn’s Downtown Cultural District, and the artistic producer at Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT)
As director of Lynn’s Downtown Cultural District, Ms. Ruddock was highly regarded by city officials and local arts leaders for her leadership in coordinating arts and cultural organizations for neighborhood revitalization and economic development. Ms.Ruddock worked with elected city and state officials on a range of projects to promote downtown Lynn and the arts community, including drafting legislation establishing the city’s first Public Art Commission. She also organized and executed free public events featuring local arts and community groups.
Ms. Ruddock is a proud member of the Mass Nonprofit Network’s Board of Directors. She is a potter who loves making original ceramic art and functional ware for her home, her family and her friends. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Critical Social Thought from Mount Holyoke College.
We honor Emily Ruddock for her work advocating for a “Commonwealth of Massachusetts where arts, culture, and creativity are an expected, well-funded and valued part of everyday life, recognized for their significant impact on building civic engagement and economically vibrant, equitable communities.”
SAVE THE DATE!

The 34th Annual Champions of Arts Education Advocacy Awards Celebration will be held on November 17th at Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566

This year’s event will be live AND livestreamed! Stay tuned for more information about this event.

October 20, 2021 Melissa Mastrolia 0

Congratulations Julie Jaron

KATHY TOSOLINI EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
The Arts|Learning  Excellence in School Administration award honors a school administrator for exemplary support for, and commitment to high-quality arts education programs, leadership in promoting arts education and building community support. The recipient is an active advocate for the arts and shows outstanding leadership and rapport with students, teachers, parents, and the community.

Julie Jaron is the Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the Springfield Public Schools. For over thirty-five years Ms. Jaron has dedicated herself to a full spectrum of music and arts programming that supports and promotes the academic achievements of students Pre-K – 12.
Ms. Jaron provides professional support to arts teachers, advocates for and manages budgets and resources for arts programming, serves as an arts-focused liaison between the school district, the Springfield community and beyond, fosters the design and implementation of high-quality curricula benefiting students’ arts education, and facilitates professional development that enhances or develops arts instruction, curricula and assessment.
One of the greatest successes during Ms. Jaron’s tenure as Director of Visual & Performing Arts has been the institution of visual art and music programs at all Springfield Public Schools, K-12. With this resounding achievement, SPS arts curricula continues to evolve so that all students can artistically express who they are, where they come from, and what’s important to them in a supportive academic environment.
At the core of all Julie Jaron’s work is the desire to inspire and create equitable arts education opportunities, provide culturally responsive, relevant, and meaningful arts experiences, and to empower all educators to instill in children the love of learning both in and through the arts.
SAVE THE DATE!

The 34th Annual Champions of Arts Education Advocacy Awards Celebration will be held on November 17th at Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566

This year’s event will be live AND livestreamed! Stay tuned for more information about this event.

October 14, 2021 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 or CV/letter of intent to secretary@massarted.com. 

Secondary Division Director, Retired Representative and Community Arts Representative:
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.

Awards Committee and Exhibitions Committee:
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.

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.

Advocacy Liaison
Candidate must be able to perform the following:

  • Liaise with other Arts organizations, such as Arts Learning, MassCreative, DESE Arts Leaders, and Arts for All.
  • Submit reports as needed to the Secretary at least eight days prior to the scheduled meeting.
  • Author or solicit at least one article focusing on advocacy per year for the MAEA News (digital publication).
  • Work toward advancing the mission of the Association.

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/
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.
October 11, 2021 Melissa Mastrolia 0