NAEA Position Statement on Importance of Visual Arts Supervisors/Administrators in PreK-12 Education

NAEA believes that school districts should support visual arts education programs by employing one or more qualified visual arts educators in roles dedicated to supervising visual arts education programming.

NAEA recognizes that while the visual arts shares characteristics with other arts disciplines, it stands as its own unique discipline within the arts. NAEA believes it is imperative that supervisors/administrators with experience in the field of visual arts education provide support for visual arts educators, and implementation, maintenance, and growth of district programs.

Visual Arts Supervisors/Administrators ensure exemplary visual arts programs that meet the needs of all learners through the implementation of PreK-12 programs with:

• rigorous curriculum aligned to state and/or national visual arts standards
• engaging and inclusive instruction
• meaningful learner assessment
• sustainable budget for quality equipment, facilities, instructional materials, and other resources
• appropriate and equitable allocation of budgets
• community advocacy
• participation in interviewing and recommending visual arts educators for hire
• observations and/or evaluations of visual arts educators with content specific feedback
• relevant professional development that reflects the diverse backgrounds, needs, interests and abilities of visual arts educators and learners
• collaboration on school leadership teams regarding educator evaluation
• development of teacher leaders and advanced training for educators
• implements a guiding strategic plan for arts education
• establishes key performance indicators for visual arts educators and program evaluators

Resources:

Art Scan: Arts Education Partnership: A clearinghouse of state policies supporting arts education https://www.aep-arts.org/artscan/

Arts In Education Field Guide: An Ecosystem of Partners; Players, and Policymakers in the Field of Arts Education https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/networks-and-councils/arts-education-network/tools-resources/arts-education-field-guide

Gaining the Arts Advantage https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED429029

Inhulsen, D., & Reeve, D. (2014). By members for members: How the National Art Education Association is using creative leadership to mobilize a professional community and advocate for art education. Visual Inquiry: Learning & Teaching Art, 3(3), 449-465.

Questions to Ask: Americans for the Arts https://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/pdf/americangirl/questions-to-ask.pdf

Warlick, D. (2005, March/April). The new literacy. Administrator Magazine. Scholastic