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!
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.)
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.
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.
It is the nominator's responsibility to inform the nominee that you have nominated them for the award.
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
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.
Honorees will be recognized at the 2025 Spring Conference Awards Luncheon, Holiday Inn Executive Center, Columbia, MO, Friday, April 11, 2025 at noon.
Representative Kathy Steinhoff
Waynesville School District Foundation
Barbara Shrader
Dr. Kendra Franks
Springfield Art Museum
Crossroads Arts Council Board Members: (Laura Birk, Georganna Krumlinde, Rhonda Schrum, Kathryn Schellhase, Kerry Kirkland)
Maria Sanchez
Representative Ed Lewis
Jessie Bayless
Art Educator of the Year: Tina Hyde
Student Art Teacher of the Year:
Mackenzie Birdsell
This is the first year for this award.
Elementary: Tracy Porter
Middle /Jr High Art: Holly Lancaster
Secondary: Sarah Luttrell
K-12: Maribel Ramirez-Bohnenkamp
Otto Bean Jr. Award: Rep. Ingrid Burnett
Larry Kantner Research Award: Chris Casaine
Heart For Art Awards:
Mayor Jared Carr Michael Cohron
Gallery 104 Felisha Harper
Dr. Matt Robinson Lauren Schoellhorn