NAEA MEDIA RELEASE
NATIONAL ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Office of the Executive Director
Phone 703-860-8000 Fax 703-860-2960
Home Page—http://www.naea-reston.org
E-mail: naea@dgs.dgsys.com
FOR RELEASE APRIL 18, 2001
NAEA BOARD UPDATES POLICY ON CONTESTS AND COMPETITIONS
NEW YORK CITY—The NAEA Board of Directors at the annual national convention
in NYC adopted an updated policy on contests and competitions. Included are
eleven criteria art teachers should consider regarding contests and
competitions:
1. The endeavor is educationally relevant and instructionally valuable.
2. National visual arts standards are supported.
3. Expectations are developmentally appropriate.
4. The contest or competition fits into the instructional sequence without
disruption.
5. The structure, procedure, and timeline are reasonable.
6. Particular products or businesses are not endorsed.
7. The purpose and audience are compatible to the goals of art education.
8. Support and recognition are given to all participants without
exploitation.
9. Qualified judges select work based upon published criteria.
10. Participation is optional for students.
11. Prior parental permission is obtained for release, publication, and
reproduction of student names and artwork.
Also included are scenarios of cases where contests and competitions are
desirable and those that are undesirable. Two examples of undesirable uses
are when:
_ Artistic expression is compromised, and students, as well as teachers,
are exploited by the interests of the sponsors. This is counter to the belief
that effective instruction is based upon the needs, interests, and purposes
of learners and teachers along with local, state, and national art curricula
and standards.
o Participation and completion requires too much instructional time. Many
students, especially at the elementary level, often meet once a week, or
less, for art instruction. Diverting this precious instructional time may not
be in the best educational interest of the students.
NAEA will publish the complete policy for members later as an NAEA Advisory,
in NAEANews, or on its web page.
