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 and who are actively teaching in the year of their nomination. OAEA Board and Awards Committee members are not eligible. Anyone selected for an award will receive a free one-year membership.

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. Models (DEI) diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work.
2. Provides multiple, quality opportunities for artistic expression and learning across the curriculum before, during, and after school hours;
3. Advocates, shows passion for, and encourages a lifelong pursuit of the arts;
4. Introduces new artistic materials, techniques, experiences, and ideas to learners, thereby enriching their knowledge of the world around them;
5. Provides conditions for students to perform or display their creativity for their peers, families, and communities;
6. Demonstrates involvement with the artistic community outside the school/organization and offers students an opportunity to participate in the larger culture, as well as devising opportunities for students to collaborate with professional artists.

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 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 Sept 27, 2024 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 November.