North Carolina Art Education Association State Conference

Each year in the fall, Arts Teachers, Educators, Administrators, Professors, and Supporters gather for a state conference.  The meeting is held in different places around North Carolina; this year, the state conference was in Raleigh.  The 2019 conference offered a one-day Pre-Conference and a 3-day main Conference full of workshops, presentations, meetings, and other opportunities to meet, network, learn and grow with Arts Educators from all across North Carolina.  Also as part of the conference, attendees visited an exhibit hall of vendors, artists, and arts advocacy groups that offered brochures, information, and art supply samples.

During the conference, art teachers also spent about 3 hours at the North Carolina Museum of Art progressing through parts of the permanent collection to work on critique practices as well as spent time in the traveling exhibit, which included work by well-known artists, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

Our Art Teacher and A+/Magnet Coordinator, Mrs. Gordon, attended the state conference and had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion for pre-service teachers.  Other members of the panel included the Music Consultant from the NC Department of Public Instruction, a Professor from East Carolina University, and the Arts Administrator from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.  Mrs. Gordon helped answer questions about interviews, first-time teaching positions, and best practices for beginning a teaching career.

The NCAEA Annual State Conference is a great opportunity for networking and learning as a large group of Art Educators as well as an energetic and refreshing time to come together with Arts Educators and Art Supporters from around North Carolina.

"I enjoyed the NCAEA state conference.  I came back with sample art materials and a even a new apron.  It was great to see A+ Schools and Reynolds House as vendors during part of museum experience.  It was also my privilege to sit in on the panel discussion; it was a good time of reflecting on my own practice and being able to help new art teachers to the profession." ~Amanda Gordon