Great art educators and supporters in our state are recognized at the state, regional and national levels.
At the annual UAEA conference, deserving educators and supporters are recognized.
To nominate your colleagues for this coming year, use this online form.
You may nominate in as many categories as you like:
Utah Art Educator of the Year
The award winner for this category should have a history of highly accomplished teaching. They should EDUCATE by writing curriculum, standards, and/or assessments, mentoring new teachers, and providing enriching and engaging content for their students. They should ADVOCATE by creating artwork outside the classroom and supporting students in contests and exhibitions. They should PARTICIPATE by being leaders within their schools, districts, professional, online communities, and organizations. This would include maintaining active memberships, sharing knowledge, volunteering or leading committees, or holding leadership positions within these organizations. There is no grade level requirement for this award; the educator stands out above and beyond all their peers in local, state, and national levels of participation, education, and advocacy. This Educator has usually been recognized in another awards category in previous years.
Utah Elementary Art Educator of the Year
The award winner for this category should have a history of highly accomplished teaching within the elementary grade levels (K-6). They should educate, advocate and participate in their local and state organizations and committees. Most of all, they should set an example for how visual art should be taught at the elementary level. They should be involved at the local district level in curriculum development, art shows, contests, and program advocacy. This award is given to the Elementary classroom teacher or specialist that stands out above and beyond all their peers at local and state levels of participation, education, and advocacy.
Utah Middle School Art Educator of the Year
The award winner for this category should have a history of highly accomplished teaching within the middle school/junior high-grade levels(7-9). They should educate, advocate and participate in their local and state organizations and committees. Most of all, they should set the example for how visual art should be taught at the middle school level. They should be involved at the local district level in curriculum development, art shows, contests, and program advocacy. This award is given to the middle school or junior high art teacher or specialist that stands out above and beyond all their peers at local and state levels of participation, education, and advocacy.
Utah High School Art Educator of the Year
The award winner for this category should have a history of highly accomplished teaching within the high school grade levels(9-12). They should educate, advocate and participate in their local and state organizations and committees. Most of all, they should set the example for how visual art should be taught at the high school level. They should be involved at the local district level in curriculum development, art shows, contests, and program advocacy. They should be a practicing artist and help students plan and apply for art schools and colleges. This award is given to the high school art teacher that stands out above and beyond all their peers at local and state levels of participation and advocacy.
Utah Higher Education Art Educator of the Year
The award winner for this category should have a history of highly accomplished teaching within the college, university, or art academy levels. They should educate, advocate and participate in their local and state organizations and committees. Most of all, they should set the example for how visual art should be taught at the college level. They should be involved at their local college level in curriculum development, art shows, contests, and program advocacy. They should be a practicing artist, help students plan and reach out to high school students for applications and assist graduating college students in finding art careers. At a minimum, they should be involved on the state or national level by presenting at conferences, but other forms of state leadership should be evident. This award is given to the college-level art teacher that stands out above and beyond all their peers at local and state levels of participation and advocacy.
Utah Museum Educator of the Year
This award recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions by employees of a museum or art museum programming. Candidate has held vital leadership roles on multiple occasions outside of NAEA, state/province/regional associations, and/or has significantly influenced the art and museum education field nationally or internationally. The candidate also shows long-term involvement in professional organizations and groups other than NAEA, has received honors or grants, and shows proof of assuming a leadership role within their institution. Activities would include: leading workshops and developing art and/or museum education programs for a variety of audiences; planning and teaching professional development for educators and/or museum docents; developing museum-based curriculum/resources; developing and implementing public programs; conducting research on art museum education, and writing frameworks within or in collaboration with the public schools among other things. This award is given to the museum employee or volunteer that stands out above and beyond all their peers at local and state levels of participation and advocacy.
Utah Administrator/District Art Coordinator of the Year
The award winner for this category should have an extensive history of highly accomplished arts support within the supervisory or administration position. They should be involved at the local district level in supporting and participating in curriculum development, art shows, contests, and program advocacy. This award is given to the principal or other district administrator that stands out above and beyond all their peers at local and state levels of arts advocacy.
Utah Preservice Art Educator Award
Individuals in their first year of teaching within the PreK-12 group are eligible. This award is intended to recognize excellence among new art educators based on their successes in student teaching and as first-year teachers.
Utah Lifetime Achievement Award
The award winner for this category recognizes an individual for their lifetime professional achievement with art and art education. Nominations should include Individuals who have made notable contributions throughout their lifetimes to visual arts education through their work as teachers, lecturers, and/or artists. This award is given to educators furthering the theory and practice of teaching and learning about art, promoting art education's role and essential value for human development, and developing accountability systems for assessing student growth.
*Utah Agent of Change in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award
This award winner for this category recognizes an individual who exemplifies, demonstrates, and/or leads social impact or social justice efforts in their work within visual arts, design, and media arts education. We acknowledge that addressing systemic transformation requires agents of change, allies, and accomplices. The award intends to honor and amplify those who are raising voices that have been and continue to be marginalized. The added intellectual and emotional burden that such art educators face in their work in contributing to the advancement of equity, diversity, and/or accessibility in art education.
Art History Educator of the Year
This award winner for this category recognizes an individual who has been actively engaged in teaching art history at the middle and high school levels. Studying art history contributes to who we are as humans. Art gathers knowledge and inspiration that contribute to understanding how past events made things the way they are today.
Utah Distinguished Service Outside the Profession Award
This award recognizes achievements and contributions in previous years by persons or organizations in or outside the field of art education. This award is open to any person or organization demonstrating significant support of visual arts education.
Congratulations to the following individuals who have received awards for the 2023-2024 school year!
Elizabeth Brown
Utah Art Educator of the Year
“I love arts education because of the joy and sense of self it brings to children. Creativity, exploring and problem solving are critical- and are a natural part of arts education. I love seeing students feel successful and develop their sense of self through the arts. Arts education has a deep and powerful impact on our students lives.”
Carlos Miranda-Rodriquez
Preservice Art Educator of the Year
“I was born and raised in Kearns / West Valley area and pretty much have lived there my whole life. I began my artistic journey in high school at Hunter High. My educator at the time, Rock Frampton really pushed me to stay engaged in his class. 8 years later with the support of mentors, family, and friends, I am a few weeks from graduating and becoming a full-time art educator myself!”
Koby Willis
Utah Administrator/District Art Coordinator
of the Year
“I love arts education because art magnifies and deepens learning. There is no branch of education that cannot be improved with art, there is no subject that cannot be made more interesting with art, and there is no lesson that cannot be made more memorable with art. Art can be a tool for learning any subject and art can make simple lessons into great memories.”
Leslie Makai Gleaves
Utah Museum Educator of the Year
Utah has the best art educators! I’ve been so honored to connect with and learn from so many of you superheroes over the years. I love art education because it's all about letting everyone, no matter where they come from, express themselves in their own unique way and make meaningful connections through art. I truly believe art is a superpower that breaks down barriers, builds empathy, and helps us see ourselves and the world in a whole new light. I’ve seen the power of art in my own life, and it’s been a privilege to witness students engage with and be transformed by art in our galleries and in classrooms across the state.
Rob Eberly
Utah Art History Educator of the Year
“Fyodor Dostoyevsky said it best when he stated ‘Beauty will save the world.’ By teaching other people how to create, we get to teach others about why art and beauty are vital components to our lives.
I think that art education teaches our students to see the best in themselves and others. It teaches them the best of what it means to be human- to think, to feel, to create, and to share. I am honored to do what I do.”
Brenda Beyal
Utah Agent of Change in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award
“Education is collaborative. I love that education can help people understand the world around them, who they are, and where they belong. It’s so important that we all connect to each other to create community in a more active and responsible way.”
V. Kim Martinez
Utah Distinguished Service Outside the Profession Award
“I love art education because it allows me to aid students in expressing themselves creatively and explore multiple forms of artistic expression. As an art professor, sharing my artistic research experiences and processes with students can effectively inspire and motivate them. My goals are to support young artists in developing their unique artistic voices by giving them insight through their creative journey to develop critical thinking skills and invite them to analyze and interpret visual information.”
Charlotte Hawkins
Utah Elementary Art Education of the Year
I have the best job in the world - to play a small part in introducing children to creative expression. My hope is that they leave my classroom with things to say and the confidence to wonder.
Jennifer Thomas
Utah Middle School Art Educator of the Year
Through art making, students make real connections and find their place in the world! As they learn to trust their own creativity within artistic expression, self-esteem rises and overall learning improves! Besides the facts, art is very rewarding to teach, and so much fun!
Chad Crane
Utah High School Educator of the Year
Art is an expression of thinking.
What better skill does high school have to offer students than the expression of thinking?
So, make students think! Let them make art!
Adam Larson
Utah Higher Education
Art Educator of the Year
Cultivating a love for learning is an evolving interchange of mentorship and mutual discovery. Each day in the classroom I glean fresh insights from my students. I also continually pursue novel approaches to advance the visual language in a dynamic and creative learning environment.
“An artist [and teacher] has got to be constantly in a state of becoming.” --Bob Dylan
Elizabeth Sampson
Utah Lifetime Achievement Award
I love art education because I know that it has the power to change lives. Creating art makes such a difference in the lives of my students. I see them gain confidence in their abilities and find so much joy in the creative process.