MAEA Awards

Each year, the Missouri Art Education Association (MAEA) honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to promoting, preserving, and advancing art education across Missouri.  We encourage all members to consider nominating a deserving colleague or community supporter!

🗓 Important Dates

• Nomination Deadline: October 10

• Completed Award Packets Due: November 1
  (We recommend submitting nominations at least one month before the final deadline to allow nominees time to complete their packets.)

Division Awards

Nominees must spend at least 51% of their workday in the division for which they are nominated. For example, a teacher who teaches one section of 7th-grade Art and then teaches numerous classes at the high school should be nominated under Secondary, not Elementary or Middle.

Award Categories:

• K–12 Art Educator of the Year

• Elementary Art Educator (PreK–5)

• Middle/Junior High Art Educator (6–8)

• Secondary Art Educator (9–12)

• Higher Education Art Educator

• Supervisor/Administrator

• Museum Art Educator

• Retired Art Educator

• Student/Pre-Service Art Educator

The Missouri Art Educator of the Year will be selected from the division winners and submitted for national recognition by NAEA.

Specialty Awards

• Larry A. Kantner Art Education Research Award
  For MAEA members who have completed a research project (Master’s thesis, doctoral dissertation, or action research). Includes a $150 stipend. Final research report required for eligibility.

• Heart for Art Award
  Recognizes individuals or organizations that have shown exceptional support for art education.

• Otto Bean Jr. Award
  Honors elected officials who have significantly advanced the arts and art education in Missouri.

Help us recognize those making a difference in Missouri art education!

Nomination forms and award packets links

It is the nominator's responsibility to inform the nominee that you have nominated them for the award.  

MAEA Division Award Nomination Form

Heart for Art Award Nomination Form

Larry Kantner Award Nomination Form

Otto Bean Award Nomination Form

For the Nominee: 

 Awards Packet 

• If you have been nominated for a Division Award, start completing the Awards packet which asks for your Vita, a photo, and supporting letters of recommendation. 

• Your Award Packet is due November 1st.

• Nominees can be self-nominated

• Key criteria for the award 

• The Awards Committee will review the complete awards packet once received.

Completed Nomination packets will be reviewed by a selection committee, which will select the award recipient based on the nomination form, the nominee's response to the standardized vita, and the required letters of support. The winners will be recognized at the upcoming MAEA Spring Conference.