Nomination Forms must be submitted by June 30, 2023 and supplemental materials from nominees must be submitted by July 14, 2023. All nominees will be notified in the fall, and the official awards ceremony will be held in November 2023.

Nominees must meet all specific eligibility requirements of the intended award, as stated in the award description. Nominees must be active art educators who spend at least 51% of their working day in the job division. For example, educators who work primarily as administrators or supervisors are not eligible to receive the Elementary Art Educator of the Year award, even if that is the level administered or supervised. Exceptions to 51% job division: Exceptional New Art Educator of the Year, Massachusetts Art Educator of the Year, Community Art Educator of the Year, Special Needs Art Educator of the Year, Retired Art Educator of the Year, Rising Star Secondary Student, Distinguished Service Outside the Profession, and Distinguished Service Within the Profession  

Members of the MAEA Board of Directors (elected or appointed) and MAEA Committee Chairs are ineligible to be nominated while in office. In the event that a nominee joins the MAEA Board of Directors between the close of award nominations in June and when awards are reviewed in August they are still eligible for an award.

MASSACHUSETTS ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR An exemplary educator who demonstrates outstanding instructional support to students, advocacy for the arts, engagement with community, and exceptional history of active participation at the state level. Strong candidates may have held leadership positions, served on committees at the state and local level, received honors, and/or presented at professional conferences.

EXCEPTIONAL NEW ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Recognizes excellence and achievement by new art educators. For an individual in their first three years of teaching. This award is intended to recognize excellence among new art educators based on their success in student teaching and as a first-year and second-year teacher.

PRESERVICE ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Recognizes student achievement in art education at the College/University level. The nominee must have completed student teaching within the last school year.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Recognizes excellence and achievement by an early childhood art educator. Nominees may be serving as Early Childhood classroom teachers, community artists, or practitioners who integrate the arts into their practice of teaching young children birth-second grade.

ELEMENTARY ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Recognizes excellence and achievement by elementary art educators. A model elementary art educator who deserves recognition for their outstanding instructional support to students, engagement with families, and advocacy for the arts within their greater community. (Division Award)

SUPERVISION/ADMINISTRATION ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Recognizes excellence and achievement by supervision/administration art educators. A model art education administrator who deserves recognition for outstanding leadership and advocacy in the arts throughout Massachusetts. (Division Award)

COMMUNITY ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Recognizes excellence and achievement by community art educators. A strong candidate provides access to the arts and partners with the community to create opportunities for engagement with the arts.

RETIRED ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Recognizes a retired art educator who continues to contribute to the field of art education through mentoring, advocating, and/or serving on state or local committees, initiatives, and programs, i.e. Youth Art Month, Art All-State, MAEA Conference, etc. 

SPECIAL NEEDS ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR  Recognizes excellence and achievement by special needs art educators. A strong candidate is an art educator whose exceptional and continuous record of achievement has positively and significantly impacted students with special needs.

RISING STAR SECONDARY STUDENT Recognizes a high school junior or senior for their leadership and excellence in their art related activities. Strong candidates will exhibit a dedication to the field, as evidenced by a commitment to pursuing higher education in art education; their work serving as an officer of their school NAHS chapter; or other volunteer opportunities as the school or community level. 

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE WITHIN THE PROFESSION AWARD This award is to recognize outstanding achievement, contributions, and service in previous years to the field of art education and to National and State/Province Associations.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OUTSIDE THE PROFESSION AWARD This award is to recognize outstanding achievement and contributions in previous years by persons or organizations outside the field of art education. Given the variety of roles of individuals and/or organizations who can be nominated for this award, all candidates may not have achievement or service in each area.