Frank Juárez
The 2025 National Art Education Association Convention is right around the corner – March 20 – 22, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky. This convention brings art educators from across the U.S. and beyond for 3-days of professional development, networking, and camaraderie.
Image: Presenting in New Orleans in 2015, thinking, “What did I get myself into?”
Presenting at the national level has been one of the best highlights of my teaching career. I have been fortunate to have presented for a decade, but the journey to get here was not an easy one. It took me 8-consecutive years of rejections to finally present at the national stage in New Orleans, LA (2015). Boy, was I nervous!
I often thought successful presentations to be associated with a room full of attendees. A packed room meant a popular session or presenter, right? The more I think about what defines success for me, I think about the connections made during the presentation and especially after the convention. This reminds me of when I led business of art workshops for artists. A question I would often ask artists was, “Would you rather have a hundred people attend your opening, drink, eat, take selfies, then leave or twenty people attend the opening, buy art, and connect with the artist?” Don’t get me wrong, documenting this experience is important, but I would suggest not to put too much attention to the number of attendees at your presentation. This adds too much stress, which can potentially affect your vibe. I have experienced low-attended presentations to a room full of note taking art educators and my vibe responded to it.
Since my first taste, I continued submitting proposals. I have presented in Minneapolis, New York, Boston, Seattle, and San Antonio. Each year, I shared best practices, new curricular ideas, and diverse programming ranging from effective advocacy tips to virtual critiques with artists, DIY exhibitions to collegial collaborations, and ways to balance life between teaching and making art. In 2022, my focus shifted to better understand what Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Access looked like within my teaching practice, curriculum, and classroom culture. Unpacking this stems from my experience as a Connected Arts Network National Teacher Leader, personal reflections, having conversations with my colleagues and artists, and participating in panel discussions. I am in no way, shape, or form an expert, but the thing that I have learned is to how to connect with my students. Once that connection is made, doors of opportunity open.
So, what have I learned about presenting at the national level? I learned to share things that I am passionate about and not what I think others want to hear. Presentations become more authentic when we show our vulnerability. Remember to focus on the present. Be proud whether you are presenting and/or attending this highly anticipated art education event of the year. Continue to network with everyone especially with those you do not know. Bring business cards. And most importantly, smile. You are amongst several thousands of your peers.
Upcoming Presentations
National Art Education Foundation Grant Program
Presenters: Cris Guenter, Frank Juárez
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Time: 08:00 AM – 08:50 AM
This session is designed for NAEA members to learn about the National Art Education Foundation Grant Program. Presenters will discuss the Research Grant, the Teacher Incentive, the Ruth Halvorsen Professional Development Grant, and the Mary McMullan Grant. Grants support research at all levels and further the leadership and professional development of all grantees.
Location: Louisville Marriott Downtown Hotel | Salon A
National Art Education Foundation Featured Grantee Projects
Presenter: Frank Juárez
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Time: 04:00 PM – 04:50 PM
This panel session features two NAEF grantees sharing their NAEF-funded grant projects. NAEF selects the two presenters to be featured based upon a review of all NAEF grantee final reports submitted in summer 2024. This session provides an opportunity to learn about the projects undertaken by NAEA members through the NAEF Grants Program, including action research by classroom practitioners and members conducting more formal research studies.
Location: Louisville Marriott Downtown Hotel | Salon B
Upcoming Event
14th Annual NAEF Fundraising Benefit Event – Modern Glyphics in Communities: The Transformative Power of Collaborative Art
Presenter: Cris Guenter
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Discover the transformative impact of collaborative art in shaping communities through the lens of “modern glyphics.” Artist Andee Rudloff explores how murals and shared creative expression foster connection, cultural identity, and inclusivity. Light refreshments will be served. This event is open to all NAEA25 attendees. Tickets $60. $50 is tax-deductible to National Art Education Foundation.
Support NAEF!
Location: Louisville Marriott Downtown Hotel | Salon EFG
Past Presentations
How To Maintain Your Studio Practice as an Art Educator and Why It Matters, What Does an Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive Classroom Look Like Today?, Yes We CAN! Exploring Creativity as a Through-Line of the Connected Arts Network PLC, Contemporary Art in Context, Connected Arts Networks (CAN): Leveraging Arts Learning Communities for Teacher Leadership and Student Achievement , Practiced Experiences in Contemporary Art in Context, Designing Your Very Own Virtual Art Alumni Talk Series, Designing A Post-pandemic Artist in Residency Program, Secondary Best Practices and Exemplary Lessons: In/Outside Art and Art Education (2019 Award winner), Six Ways to Impact Your Art Program, DIY Gallery: A Deeper Look into the 365 Artists 365 Days Project, A Meditation in Movement: Exploring Space, The Midwest Artist Studios Project, Connecting Visual Literacy to Textual Literacy through the 365 Artists 365 Days Project, and Inspire & Transform: Life after the 365 Artists 365 Days Project.
Posts
Everything Happens at the NAEA Convention
What Does an Art Education Convention Look Like?
How to Work with Rejections
FRANK JUÁREZ 