Awards

In recognition of excellence and demonstration of leadership for contributions to art education in a candidate’s school, board, institution and/or community:

• Elementary Art Educator of the Year:  Grades K – 8.
• Secondary Art Educator of the Year:  Grades 9 – 12
• Post-Secondary Art Educator of the Year: Institution or Organization
• Community Art Educator of the Year: Institution or Organization, Museum or Community Setting
• Ray Blackwell Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Art Education 

Educators who meet the following criteria are eligible. OAEA Board and Awards Committee members are not eligible to be nominated. Anyone selected for an award will receive a free one-year membership or have their active membership extended by one
year.

Excellence in art education refers to an educator or teacher who promotes a culture supportive of visual art education in their school, organization, and community, in many of the following ways: 

1. Provides students with an enriching education in their study of visual arts.
2. Introduces students to artists and art experiences that increase their knowledge, and appreciation, of the rich diversity of perspective and lived experience in the visual arts. Centering the role of artists who embrace equity and inclusion and the widening of perspective in all areas of art is a priority in the educator’s curriculum for students.
3.  Advocates for all forms of visual art and encourages students to pursue studies in visual arts for both their professional goals and personal fulfillment.
4. Consistently embraces growth through professional development opportunities and involvement in artistic communities outside the school’s/organization’s environment.
5. Offers opportunities and encourages students to be involved in the larger artistic fellowship by involvement in exhibitions and events that showcase their art to peers, families, and community members.

Anyone who is not a member of OAEA’s Awards Committee may submit a nomination.

Nominators should write a letter to OAEA outlining why the person nominated is deserving of recognition and providing evidence of exemplary teaching. Refer to the eligibility criteria provided above. Include the nominee’s resumé and your own contact information.

Please forward the name of your nominee by Octoer 14th, 2025 to oaea4teachers@gmail.com

Nominations and supporting documentation must be submitted to the OAEA Awards Committee who will review each application and present recipient documentation to the Executive for final approval. The Awards Committee reserves the right to withhold awards in any category, in any given year, if suitable candidates cannot be identified.

All winning recipients will be informed, and awards will be presented at the next Annual Awards Ceremony in February 2026.