Dear TAEA Members and Friends,
As we close out on the year 2020, I wanted to remind you how much you are appreciated and valued by our organization. Many of you have faced difficulties not only in learning new media and technology platforms this year, but you have also faced new challenges teaching in person. Some of you have done this while also helping your own children at home to keep up virtually with their lessons. Thank you for always looking for creative ways to make your lessons more engaging while maintaining the integrity of your curriculum. It matters. You are making a difference in the lives of your students even now—especially now. No one deserves this winter break more than you!
At TAEA, our membership has fluctuated a little, but we are closing out 2020 with an increase in our membership! Welcome new and renewed members! Please know that we want you to play an active role in the future of TAEA. If you would like to become more involved, here are some committees and interest groups where you might find a place to serve.
This year we created a new Board Position for Community Outreach. Mike Mitchell was appointed director and immediately began a weekly podcast called, “The Art of Outreach” on Spotify. Each week he interviews an art educator from Tennessee who is able to share what they are doing in their corner of the world to make a difference through art. Contact: Mike Mitchell mmitchell@mauryk12.org
This year we also established an interest group for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. James Wells is chairing this group and has already initiated a survey to learn more from our members. As a result, he moderated a panel discussion during our Fall Conference and is looking forward to our membership taking the lead as we learn ways to add diversity to our organization.
Contact: James Wells jwells@crayola.com
We are also moving forward in the field of Arts Advocacy with our new director of Advocacy, Amanda Tutor. Amanda is working with Stephen Coleman at ArtsEd Tennessee to educate our members on ways that they can become better equipped to effectively advocate for the arts.
Contact: Amanda Tutor atutor@bartlettschools.org
This year we also welcomed a new Chair of Exhibitions. Virginia Nix has brought a new vibrancy to our Board and has engaged a team of members who are thinking up new ways that TAEA can provide new opportunities to highlight impactful student art all across Tennessee. This collaboration is looking at establishing a statewide TAEA Elementary Art Exhibition. You will learn more about this initiative in the days ahead.
Contact: Virginia Nix virginia.nix@wcs.edu
Due to the pandemic, the venue for our regional and state conferences has shifted for the time being to a virtual platform. Our three regions collaborated for our first virtual summer studio conference last July. Plans are now underway for a Spring 2021 Combined Regional Conference that will not only be engaging, but interactive. Stay tuned for more information coming out in January! If you are interested in becoming involved in our Fall 2021 Conference Planning, contact Past-President Kathy Dumlao kathy.dumlao@brooksmuseum.org or Awards Chair, President-Elect David Meade meadearts@gmail.com
Last March, when a devastating tornado ravaged 100-mile path through Middle and East Tennessee, we wanted our state art educators to know that TAEA cares. So, we developed a TAEA Tornado Task Force to seek out those art teachers whose classrooms were most damaged. In a statewide effort, we gathered and distributed donated supplies. We then set up a GoFund Me page and with the help of NASCO, we were able to supply gift cards for those teachers totaling over $1900.
As we look to the days ahead in 2021, we at TAEA want you to know that this is YOUR professional organization. We exist not only to serve you, but also to be made more vibrant by your unique gifts, vision and passion for art education. May 2021 be a happier new year for all of us as we strive together to make a difference in the lives of others through art.
Sincerely,
Melody Weintraub
President, Tennessee Art Education Association