ARKANSAS ART EDUCATORS

Building the Future of Arkansas Art Educators: 2025 Leadership Retreat Recap

4/27/2025

This past weekend, new and returning members of the Arkansas Art Educators Board and Council came together for an inspiring and energizing Leadership Retreat. It was a powerful few days of connection, collaboration, and vision-setting for the future of our organization. We kicked off the weekend Friday evening with a casual dinner where members had the chance to meet, catch up, and build relationships. After dinner, we worked together on a collaborative art piece — a perfect way to break the ice and set the creative tone for the weekend.
Saturday was all about diving deep into the heart of Arkansas Art Educators (AAE). We spent the day at the beautiful Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where we reviewed everything that makes AAE strong and what we can do to make it even stronger. We had open discussions about how to grow our organization, better serve our members, and ensure that we are providing meaningful resources, opportunities, and benefits to art educators across the state. After a day full of big conversations and goal-setting, we wound down with a trip to Arkadia Retrocade, where we tapped into some nostalgia and had a blast playing old-school arcade games. It was the perfect reminder that fun, play, and creativity go hand-in-hand — just like in our classrooms and communities. On Sunday morning, we regrouped to focus on the future. We reviewed the goals we had set and made action plans for how to start implementing them. It was exciting to see so much momentum and energy in the room as we committed to strengthening our organization and supporting Arkansas art educators even more powerfully in the year ahead. This retreat was a reminder of why AAE exists — to create a strong, connected community of art educators who inspire each other, advocate for the arts, and help shape the next generation of creative thinkers. We’re excited for what's ahead and can't wait to continue building with you!

The 19th Annual Expressions Art Show featuring beautiful art created by the members of Birch Tree Communities across the state will be held Thursday April 10th. The evening will include food, drinks, entertainment, a live auction of premiere pieces, and more. All proceeds from the sale of artwork goes directly to the members to assist them on their journey to independence and a satisfying life in the community. We hope you will join us for this amazing event impacting the lives of adults living with serious and persistent mental illness.

All works are created by talented artists who live with serious mental illness and find profound expression through their art. 100% of art sales directly support these incredible artists. Together, we're using art to break down barriers, challenge stigma, and build understanding. Come be part of this transformative celebration of human dignity and creative expression!

They have offered two gift baskets to AAE for a giveaway! Each baskets include 2 free tickets the Expressions Art Show, $100 Michaels gift card, and other goodies!*

For every google form you fill out you will be entered to win.
Click on the following links to fill out the google forms. Website Feedback, AAE Award Nominations, Art Educator Spotlight, Advocate, Create, Cultivate, Educate.

Hello fabulous art educators! Hopefully you are seeing the changes we are making to the website. Our goal is to create a more interactive experience that allows art educators across the state to connect, share, and learn. Our new motto is Advocate. Create. Cultivate. Educate. Each category has it's own tab with AAE information organized into the related category.

We also want to feature our teachers more focusing on what's happening in the classroom, student work, professional development, bringing attention to the arts, and personal artwork. There are google forms attached to each category page. Feel free to fill out one or all of the google forms you may be featured on our social media, website and/or newsletter.

While we are in the process of reworking the website, any feedback about the changes would be very helpful. There is a link at the bottom of the homepage or under the Cultivate tab.

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Building the Future of Arkansas Art Educators: 2025 Leadership Retreat Recap

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