President's Page

“This is a moment not just to endure change, but to shape it. Let's be brave.

 Let's be bold. Let's be better together.”  

Cindy Todd, President, National Art Education Association

Welcome to the Connecticut Art Education Association!  There has never been a more compelling time to join together in pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning through the visual arts than this moment. We know that to see, to consider, to create and to share art empowers our students and communities, centers marginalized voices, demands active engagement in critical thinking, and enhances empathy— all critical components to a healthy democracy. And we are not new to this! According to National Art Education Association records, CAEA dates back to 1908, giving us one hundred eighteen years serving public school, private school, university, museum and all art educators in our state as we strive for more effective, more sustainable, and more ethical modes of practice.  

Toward this end CAEA sponsors in-person and online opportunities to meet and connect with our statewide peers.  CAEA provides spaces in which we develop collegial relationships beyond the walls of our classrooms and school buildings. There is a wide world of art education right here in our state; and CAEA connects us with that, supporting us and stretching us! CAEA is a place to find mentors with longstanding knowledge of our field who can inform and support our choices now and over the course of our own careers. Through CAEA we can discover teaching and learning opportunities that help us grow, opening new doors and providing new perspectives.

CAEA provides professional development through both teacher-led and teaching-artist-led workshops, best-practice presentations, panel discussions, webinars, and more. As art educators we can look to CAEA as a community through which to expand our content area knowledge, enhance our content pedagogy skills, and find collegial connection.

Additionally, CAEA membership is National Art Education Association membership (https://www.arteducators.org/membership/), which exponentially increases our access to resources from interest group memberships to Art Honor Society Chapter sponsorships on the high school, middle school and now, elementary levels. The range and depth of resources available through NAEA is exceptional, and they are all yours as members of Connecticut Art Education Association.

Again, welcome!  Reach out!  Let us know if you need something or want to help make something happen!  Member meetings are monthly, mostly virtual, and posted on our website:  https://www.ctarteducation.net/about-us/meetings.