The Colorado Art Education Association is an organization whose prime directive is advancing and improving the quality of art education throughout the state of Colorado. Each year, a variety of awards are given which acknowledge exemplary contributions to art education made by CAEA members and arts-related organizations and individuals. Through the celebration of these outstanding examples of professionalism and dedication, we in turn promote the development of current and future professional art educators, defining examples of excellence for which to aspire.

Nominations are submitted by members and voted on by the CAEA representative council. Please consider preparing a nomination packet soon for the outstanding art educator in your community. VITA-forms, Nomination forms, and the awards rubric forms are available here on the website, in the fall conference program book, and at division and regional meetings. The Colorado Art Education Association accepts nominations for the Categories listed below. Also visit the Writing for CAEA Awards page for some helpful suggestions. CAEA strongly supports self-nomination. Nominees are screened by the Awards Committee as to completed nomination materials and the meeting of criteria to the specific awards as declared below. The Committee then takes the nominations to the CAEA Representative Council. The Representative Council investigates all nomination files and rates the nominees using the criteria stated below. Awards are presented at the Annual Fall Conference. Click Here to view  the 2008 Award Winners. Celebrate the dedication and expertise of your colleagues. NOMINATE TODAY! 

Criteria for Selection:

(relevance of criteria depends upon specific award) : 

• Innovative teaching techniques with standards and assessments, arts integration/collaboration,and impact on students 
• Participation and leadership in educational organizations to benefit the visual arts 
• School, district, local or state advocacy efforts for the promotion of quality arts education 
• Involvement as practicing artists 
• Years of experience demonstrating consistency of exemplary service 
• Membership in CAEA/NAEA

Completed nominations should consist of the following: 

1. A cover letter of nomination. 
2. The completed nomination form. 
3. VITA of the person nominated. 
4. Two letters supporting the nomination. 
5. A quality black-and-white photograph of publishable quality. 

IMPORTANT: File is deemed incomplete without photo. Incomplete nomination packets will not be reviewed by the Awards Committee. 

SEND ABOVE NOMINATION PACKET POSTMARKED BY MARCH 1ST TO: 

Angie Willsea
13085 S Stuart Way
Parker, CO 80134

AWARDS CATEGORIES 

Colorado Art Educator of the Year 

Purpose: To honor CAEA member whose service and contributions in art Education merit state, regional, and national recognition. 

Elementary School Art Educator of the Year 

Purpose: To honor CAEA member who shows exemplary contributions, achievements and service. 

Middle School Art Educator of the Year 

Purpose: To honor CAEA member who shows exemplary contributions, achievements and service. 

High School Art Educator of the Year 

Purpose: To honor CAEA member who shows exemplary contributions, achievements and service. 

Higher Education Art Educator of the Year 

Purpose: To honor CAEA member who shows exemplary contributions, achievements and service. 

Supervision/ Administrator Art Educator of the Year 

Purpose: To honor CAEA member who shows exemplary contributions, achievements and service. 

Colorado Museum Art Educator of the Year 

Purpose: To honor CAEA member who shows exemplary contributions, achievements and service. 

CAEA Outstanding Rookie Art Educator Award 

Purpose: To recognize outstanding achievements and contributions by a K-16 art educator who has been teaching in Colorado for 5 years or less. 

Distinguished Service Award (Within the Profession) 

Purpose: To recognize outstanding service and contributions by a CAEA member to the field of art education to state and national associations. 

Distinguished Service Award (Outside the Profession) 

Purpose: To recognize outstanding service and contributions to the field of art education by a person outside the art teaching profession. 

Marion Quin Dix Leadership Award 

Purpose: To recognize outstanding service and contributions to the profession by a state association officer in the performance and/or development of specific programs, goals, or activities at the state association level. 

National Art Honor Society Sponsor Award 

Purpose: To recognize dedication of CAEA members through sponsorship of outstanding National Art Honor Society Chapter. Submit all forms plus photocopies of Chapter activities. 

Student Chapter Sponsor Award of Excellence 

Purpose: To recognize dedication to the development of future professional members through sponsorship of an outstanding Chapter group at a college or university. 

CAEA Program Standards Award 

Purpose: To recognize outstanding achievement of elementary and secondary school art programs which meet or exceed program standards in purposes, principles, and standards for school art programs. 

CAEA Distinguished Leadership Award 

Purpose: To recognize outstanding contributions in visual art education through support, service, and advocacy within the education field by administrators, principals, and school board members. 

National Junior Art Honor Society Sponsor Award 

Purpose: To recognize dedication of CAEA members through sponsorship of outstanding National Jr. Art Honor Society Chapter. Submit all forms plus photocopies of Chapter activities 

Colorado Retired Art Educator of the Year Award 

Purpose: To recognize outstanding service and dedication by a retired CAEA member 

Colorado Charter/Independent/Private School Art Educator of the Year Award 

Purpose: To honor CAEA member who shows exemplary contributions, achievements and service