Feature image: Guerrilla Girls. Photo: Frank Juárez.

Frank Juárez

The 2025 National Art Education Association Convention is in the books, March 20 – 22, 2025. If you are in an industry or field that has a conference or convention, I highly recommend attending. To be surrounded by professionals who understand the ebbs and flows and are willing to offer advice on X, Y, and Z is better than looking for the answers online. The human connection is essential to personal growth and building community across state lines.

The National Art Education Association hosted its 78th Annual Convention in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The convention brought 3,200+ art educators from across the country for camaraderie, networking opportunities, meeting exhibitors, attending sessions, and listening to keynote speakers. Each morning started with an inspirational talk by this year’s notable keynote speakers – Nate Powell, Guerilla Girls, and Roberto Lugo.

I enjoyed reconnecting with fellow art educators nationwide, representing my school and district, SchoolArts and Davis, The Connected Arts Networks, and the National Art Education Foundation (NAEF). This year, the convention felt different. Being in a variety of leadership roles took a toll on my physical, mental, and emotional self. I empathize with many art educators who do not have access to resources that can make a world of difference in their teaching practice and students’ creative lives. As you may know, multiple factors come into play when it comes to funding. This is why it is crucial to continue to advocate for art education on the local, state, and national levels.

So, what does an art education convention look like these days? Well, it is a non-stop walking, connecting, reflecting, and learning marathon sprinkled with a sense of urgency to learn from the nation’s top K- post-secondary art educators.

The convention hosted over 600 sessions covering every facet of art education from pre-service to higher education, hands-on workshops to interactive activities, dozens of exhibitors to delegates assembly bringing state arts leaders together to discuss important topics in art education.

The convention goes beyond its programming. It is a time to reconnect, get inspired, meet new educators, support colleagues and peers, congratulate national award recipients on the national stage, say goodbye to arts leaders whose years of service come to an end at the conclusion of the convention, and to commence new arts leaders as they embark on their new journey. It is also the perfect time to experience a new city, enjoy its culture, and snap those selfies.

I returned to the Malibu of the Midwest with a grocery list of things that still needs to be accomplished. The work of an art educator is never done. Even when I am not in the art room, I am still thinking about my teaching practice, colleagues, students, and the state of art education. The most important part of this experience is following up with art educators I met. Keeping the communication active is such an integral part of our profession.

The main takeaway from this year’s convention is…”The future is unwritten. Let’s write the script together.” – NAEA’s Past President, Dr. Wanda Knight.

Art educators are trailblazers for change. At times, we may feel alone, but we are not. We are here. We are present.

For the past five years, Executive Director Mario Rossero advocated, supported, and guided art educators through his leadership, commitment, and professionalism. This is his last convention as the director. I wish him the best as he takes on a new role as the executive director of the Andy Warhol Museum.