May 2026
May 2026
Vol 38
Vol 38
Embedded Files
May 2026
The Alliance is approaching a time of transition. On July 1, 2026, Dr. Cynthia Williams Phelps will become MAAE’s executive director, while I take on a role focused on developing community partnerships, and working to ensure the Alliance remains financially stable in a challenging economic climate. I have learned so much through my time as executive director and am grateful to all who helped me on this journey. This most definitely includes my colleagues on MAAE staff, and the members of the Board of Directors as well as so many allies who work alongside us as we strengthen arts education in Missouri.
Tap to read moreCongratulations and thanks to our incredible team who helped us have such an outstanding Fine Arts Education Week. Led by Dr. Melissa Cooper, our Senate Student Fine Arts Exhibit Chair, Vicki Bean, our Awards Coordinator, Rachel Johnson, Show-Me Arts Coordinator, Dr. Joan Murray and Kristen Englehart our Fine Arts Education Day Coordinator who did such great work to showcase student artists and help students find their voice as they advocate for arts education. We are grateful to all of our allies who stepped up to volunteer their services to make the event run smoothly.
A highlight of the week included the Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Arts Education honoring Dr. Robert Gifford. The world premiere of “March Majestic” composed by Geir Knutson and performed by Marshfield High School Band under the direction of Rich Castens. Dr. Gifford was also honored at the annual Celebration Summit Gala.
We are grateful to all the teachers, students, our legislative colleagues and everyone who helped the event be such a success!
We also bid a fond farewell to MAAE staff who are moving on to serve the arts and arts education in other ways: Dr. Melissa Cooper, Rachel Johnson, Dr. Joan Murray, Kristen Englehart, and Lauren Hanahan. We are so grateful to each of you for your service to the Alliance and wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Everyone- Enjoy the remainder of your school year and begin gearing up for a fabulous summer!
Upcoming MAAE Events
Upcoming MAAE Events
Students took part in the ShowMe Arts Summit to learn about civic engagement and arts integration.
Dance, music, and art all took center stage in the capitol rotunda during Fine Arts Education Week.
Students gathered at the Missouri Capitol in support of Fine Arts Education Week.
Student took their new skill set to speak to legislators about the importance of arts education.
Celebrating Lebanon High Schools Eric Adams and Students
Celebrating Lebanon High Schools Eric Adams and Students
We wanted to give special recognition to Lebanon High School's Art Photography and Digital Media teacher Eric Adams and his students for documenting Fine Arts Education Week 2026! Your time, talent, and skills are greatly appreciated in helping share the importance of the fine arts.
Celebrating Newburg Principal Doug Dunn
As Dr. Joan Murray was making final plans for the April 8, 2026 student civics learning and leadership training at MAAE's Show-Me Arts Summit, she learned that her own students from Newburg High School eligible for the District High School Honor Band would need a faculty sponsor to allow their participation on the same date. Newburg's Principal, Mr. Doug Dunn stepped in to allow those band students to enjoy this valuable learning experience. Thank you Mr. Dunn! We salute and celebrate building administrators who champion arts education!
Win A Broadway Masterclass Tuition Package
Your Broadway journey starts here! Grab a five‑dollar ticket for a chance to win tuition for the full 2026–2027 Masterclass Series at The Fabulous Fox. Take part in classes for show like: Wicked, Boop!, Beauty and the Beast, and more!
Broadway Master Classes offer students an unparalleled opportunity to learn directly from Broadway touring performers. These interactive sessions cover a variety of disciplines, such as dance, vocal performance, the business of Broadway, and even social media strategy and branding. Each session provides practical skills, behind-the-scenes insights, and inspiration for aspiring young artists.
Buy your chance here!
Win Four Tickets to "Love Languages" at St. Louis Dance Theatre
The St. Louis Dance Tehatre Love Languages season culminates with a profound examination of human connection. The weekend features the company premiere of Stephanie Martinez’s kiss.—described by the choreographer as “my love letter” to the fundamental human needs “to be seen, to be heard, and to be honored.” This mesmerizing work emerged during the pandemic when connection was most precious, using movement as a language to express vulnerability and intimacy. Paired with repertory favorites, the spring concert culminates the season’s exploration of love and language, celebrating movement’s capacity to express our human connection.
At the Catherine B. Berges Theatre, COCA, 6880 Washington Avenue St. Louis, MO 63130
FEATURING:
Company Premiere of kiss. by Stephanie Martinez
Additional work from the St. Louis Dance Theatre repertoire
Buy your chance here!
MAAE Strengthening Arts Education in the St. Louis Region
Plan to join us for networking opportunity linking for arts educators in St. Louis!
Free! -Register Here by June 1, 2026
Administrative and Legislative Interns or Volunteers Needed
Looking for an Internship? Want to help further our mission?
MAAE has internship opportunities for individuals interested in gaining hands-on experience in non-profit management, arts administration, fund raising and legislative affairs. We are flexible in scheduling the timing of internships – you can work for a semester, a summer or flex time on a small project. Interested candidates, please send an email describing areas of interest and a resume to director@moaae.org.
Professional Learning
Professional Learning
"May is the month of beauty, where we can appreciate the world around us." - Unknown
Through fine arts education, we have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty around us all the time! In April, Missouri Alliance hosted the Fine Arts Education Day at the Missouri State Capitol. What an amazing day of advocacy and arts appreciation!
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If you haven’t attended one of our webinars, this is the perfect time for you to join our professional learning community! We offer free, live streaming, and collaborative Professional Development workshops each month through our ELEVATE professional learning network. You can earn a PD certificate, as well as Graduate Credit through Lindenwood University for attending our workshops!
In Case You Missed It: We want to thank Jessica Wagner for her expertise and all of the amazing resources she shared with us. You can find a link to her slides here. Check out our Webinar Archives and April Webinar video.
We're looking forward to seeing you at our next session on May 4, 2026 with NaTasha O'Brien speaking on Bridging Culture, Courage, and Inclusion.
RSVP here for the May Webinar.
SAVE the DATES: Starting in September, we have brand new professional learning opportunities coming this Fall and we can’t wait to share them with you! More details to come.
I hope you find May full of new ARTful adventures and as always, let me know how I can help you curate your next professional learning experience!
TAB-STL 2026
Now's the time to register for TAB St. Louis! June 8-9 2025 at MRH Early Childhood Center in Maplewood. Join us to explore Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) pedagogy and choice-based teaching. Gain practical tools, connect with resources, and engage in a supportive community! Graduate Credit Available. If you have questions, contact StlTabChoice@gmail.com
Bridging Culture, Courage, and Inclusion
Presented by NaTasha J. O'Brien
May 4, 2026
5:30pm | live via zoom
From the stage to the classroom, my journey as a low vision actor, vocalist, and teaching artist has been filled with both obstacles and triumphs. This talk explores the realities of navigating the performing arts world with a disability—what inclusion really looks like in practice, how communities can foster accessibility, and the successes that come when creativity meets resilience. Audiences will walk away with practical tools to better support artists of all abilities.
With ELEVATE you can Earn a PD certificate, as well as Graduate Credit!
Free, live streaming, and collaborative Professional Development each month. You can earn a PD certificate, as well as Graduate Credit through Lindenwood University for attending our webinars! Learn more here.
Register Now! TAB-STL 2026
The TAB-STL 2026 (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) Workshop will take place June 8–9, 2026, at the MRH Early Childhood Center in Maplewood, Missouri. This year’s featured presenters—Kari Schepker-Mueller, Abby Birhanu, Beth Williams, and Tiffany Marquart—bring deep experience and passion for the TAB/Choice approach to art education.
Through inspiring sessions and practical strategies, these leaders will share insights from their classrooms and guide art educators in discovering new ways to deepen student engagement, creativity, and meaningful learning in their own teaching practice.
Arts Education Data Project: New Data at a Glance Summary
Arts Education Data Project: New Data at a Glance Summary
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Tap to learn more
Have you seen the data dashboard for that publishes student fine arts enrollment data for your school? Quadrant Research, sponsor of the National Arts Education Data Project has partnered with MAAE, DESE, and MAC to bring this powerful Missouri-specific-data tool to you! View enrollment data (collected from local school districts as part of their reports to DESE) by arts discipline, by county, district, or school level and examine trends over time. Identify areas of abundance and opportunities for growth.
Access this dashboard through the direct link. You can also find access on the MAAE website and on the DESE Fine Arts webpage.
We'd love to hear your stories about how you are using the data. Whether it is for grant proposals, reports, research, or to make the case with your administrators for programming changes, let us know. We are collecting stories and testimonials that will help us ensure that we can maintain the funding required for Missouri's continued participation. Please share those stories at fineartsdata@dese.mo.gov and cc: director@moaae.org. If you see any errors in the data displayed, we need to know that too! Please reach out at any time.
Public Policy and Research
Public Policy and Research
MAAE Advocacy - State
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Your Voice Matters for the Arts!
Missouri’s creative future depends on your support. Contact your State Representative today to request they Vote YES on HB 3518 to ensure dedicated funding for Missouri’s Cultural Partners. Let’s keep the arts thriving across Missouri.
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Governor Mike Kehoe has proposed reducing the council's budget from $10.1 million to roughly $6.4–$6.9 million. These proposed cuts are currently in the legislative process, with arts advocates actively lobbying against them as of early February 2026.
Key details:
Proposed Reduction: The budget proposal aims to cut arts funding by over 36% to 40% for the upcoming fiscal year.
Impact: If finalized, these cuts would significantly reduce grants to local arts organizations and communities across Missouri.
Process: The proposed cuts are part of the FY2027 budget planning (which begins July 1, 2026), following a 25% reduction in the previous year.
Advocacy: Organizations like MAAE and Missouri Citizens for the Arts are advocating for the restoration of these funds.
Missouri House Budget Committee
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MSHSAA is 100 years old! On February 4, 1926, the superintendent's voted unanimously to approve the constitution, and MSHSAA was born. For a century, member schools have governed the association. If the 724 member schools want to retain their ownership and governance of their association, they must engage.
PLEASE VIEW THIS IMPORTANT VIDEO MESSAGE FROM DR. JENNIFER RUKSTAD
MSHSAA will be sending frequent updates and requests as the process continues to unfold. For the time being, the message is simple: contact your lawmakers and oppose Senate Bill 863.
At this time, MSHSAA's focus is the Missouri Senate. You can find your senator(s) by clicking this spreadsheet and looking up your school district under the “County Code & Senators” tab.
Questions? Would you like to join? Contact: advocacy@moaae.org
MAAE Advocacy - National
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March 25
The SupportMusic Coalition will hold a webinar on Wednesday, March 24 at 1 PM ET. The event will feature music education advocates from Pennsylvania, Missouri, and California sharing proven strategies for building successful state alliances. You will also hear from industry leaders and policy experts on mobilizing networks, engaging school boards, and uniting stakeholders to advance music education advocacy in your state. Click here to register.
March 31
Join the Arts Education Alliance on Tuesday, March 31, at 7 PM ET as we release A Collective Vision for Equity in Arts Education -our shared advocacy agenda centered on ensuring every student has access to a high-quality arts education. The agenda outlines our commitment to expand access across all arts disciplines, strengthen systems of support for educators, and elevate the role of the arts in schools and communities nationwide. We will also be sharing results from our funding survey for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years and our funding priorities for FY 2027. Click here to register.
April 7
The next monthly webinar for the Music IS Education Coalition will be held on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 PM ET. The topic will focus on state and local K-12 education budgets and the impact on music education. Click here to register.
June 2026
We would like to invite you all to participate in the NAfME Hill Day and Advocacy Leadership Initiative (ALI) Convening, which will take place on June 24-25 as part of the National Leadership Assembly. Our events will take place in Reston, VA, and we will provide buses to Capitol Hill on Wednesday morning (6/24). That evening, we plan to host a Roundtable gathering somewhere near the Hill with light refreshments – time and location are TBD. On Thursday (6/25), we will be back in Reston for the day-long ALI convening with the Advocacy Leadership Force and our consultant from Center Road Solutions. She will facilitate trainings on planning effective state advocacy strategies, coalition-building, and translating music education priorities into actionable goals. There is no registration fee for the event, but you will be expected to cover your own transportation and lodging expenses.
MAAE's Arts
Advocacy Efforts
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MAAE engages in arts advocacy by:
providing information and support for local level advocacy
maintaining communication with our colleagues engaged in national level work
engaging with other arts advocacy associations at the state level.
MAAE’s signature advocacy programs:
Fine Arts Education Day
Senate Student Arts Exhibit
Show-Me Arts Summit.
MAAE additional reporting to our allies:
activities of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
the State Board of Education
pending legislation
changes to administrative rules.
MAAE allied organizations include but are not limited to those who work to ensure Fine Arts Education in Missouri is thriving:
Missouri Arts Council
Missouri Citizens for the Arts
Missouri School Boards Association
Teacher Organizations -MSTA, MNEA)
Administrator Organizations - MASA, MAESP, MoASSP
Fine Arts Organizations: MAEA, MoThespians, STAM, MMEA, GAM
View MAAE's 2025-2026 Advocacy Agenda
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The Executive Committee and Board of the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education creates an annual advocacy agenda directed toward the State Board of Education and the Missouri General Assembly.
In general, we encourage each of these entities to enact policies that support high quality arts education in Missouri.
Appropriations Wins for Federal Cultural Agencies
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Congress finalized Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations with important wins for the nation’s cultural agencies and programs. Through passage of three bipartisan appropriations “minibus” packages, lawmakers completed 11 of the 12 annual funding bills for FY26, covering the period from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Instead of relying on a year-long Continuing Resolution, Congress enacted full appropriations bills, ensuring stability for federal agencies, updating new funding levels, and preserving pipeline funding for states and communities.
Most notably, the Interior–Environment bill included in Minibus #2 provides $207 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), with no cuts or programmatic changes to either agency. The package passed the House by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 397 to 28 before advancing through to the Senate and being signed into law by the President. The strong margin in the House underscores the continued bipartisan support for federal arts and humanities funding, even in a challenging fiscal environment.
These FY26 wins reflect the dedication of bipartisan congressional champions like Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), who worked to protect the NEA and NEH during negotiations. Throughout the appropriations process, offices consistently heard from advocates across the country through meetings, testimony submissions, calls, emails, and Legislative Fly-Ins. That persistent grassroots engagement reinforced the importance of maintaining stable federal cultural funding and helped secure this outcome.
In a year marked by broader debates about federal spending and proposals to eliminate agencies, preserving stable funding for the nation’s cultural agencies is a meaningful victory.
See how your Members of Congress voted:
House: bit.ly/HouseVotes20267
Senate: bit.ly/SenateVotes1192
Americans for the Arts has created a new resource hub on their website to support Threats to Artistic Freedom. Find updates on activity across the United States related to advocacy in this area.
You can also endorse MAAE's Artistic Freedom Statement.
Arts Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Arts Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
America’s Field Trip: Virtual Artist Residencies
Made Possible by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
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Hello Missouri Educators,
I’m reaching out to share an exciting opportunity for your school: America’s Field Trip: Virtual Artist Residencies with Focus 5, made possible by Crystal Bridges celebrating America’s 250th anniversary through the arts. These residencies are FREE/NO COST for schools and bring high-quality, arts-integrated learning directly to your classroom—virtually.
To learn more about these Free Virtual Artist Residencies please go to: https://tinyurl.com/CrystalBridgesResidencies.
Taking place January - December 2026
While you are there, be sure to check out my virtual residency: Warhol’s Wild Adaptations (Grade 3- 5).
In this three-day high-engagement residency, students investigate how Warhol adapted and abstracted images in his animal series—and ask: How do animals adapt to survive, and how can we abstract that idea into movement? Studying the two strategies of adaptation and abstraction, they create original movement phrases that embody real animal adaptations. The result is pop-art thinking meets life-science insight—students don’t tell you what an adaptation or abstraction is; they show you.
Participation requires a minimum of 4 classes to take part. If you don’t have 4 classes, we can pair you with another school.
If you’d like to secure a spot, you can register here:
Register: https://tinyurl.com/WarholAdapt
You can also learn more about Focus 5 arts integration at www.Focus5ArtsIntegration.com
If you have questions I’m happy to help.
- Harlan Brownlee
Missouri Arts Council Updates
Missouri Arts Council Updates
Featured Artist Series
The Missouri Arts Council features Missouri Artists on their website each month. Learn more and apply here. Congratulations to all of the featured artists:
From the MAC Desk: Spring into Arts Opportunities with MAC
Jenni Ryan, Arts Education Specialist, Missouri Arts Council
From the MAC Desk: Spring into Arts Opportunities with MAC
Jenni Ryan, Arts Education Specialist, Missouri Arts Council
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Tap to Read
It’s almost spring! Have you dreamed about next year’s arts happenings yet? Let’s plant some seeds----
All schools: plan a field trip to a museum, performance, or art activity with your students – MAC funds can pay up to $500 for transportation [Big Yellow School
Bus]. OR bring a performance to the kids with our School Touring grant of up to $1500.
Looking for deeper exploration of a unit of arts learning or integration of the arts with another subject? Contact me about our express arts education grants. These offer up to $4,000 to support a guest teaching artist and supplies related to the project.
High schools are encouraged to add Poetry Out Loud to their competition activities. POL, as we call it, is a dynamic recitation contest that starts in the classroom and moves all the way to the national level, where $50,000 in prize money is awarded each year.
Call or email me anytime.
(314)340-6857
Jenni Ryan
Arts Education Program Specialist
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Updates
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Updates
From the DESE Desk: STEAM Conference in St. Louis this Summer!
Kendra Franks, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
From the DESE Desk: STEAM Conference in St. Louis this Summer!
Kendra Franks, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Tap to Read
Tap to Read
Fantastic Fine Arts Week in April! Plan on participating next year!
The dulcimer workshop for music teachers was awesome! Thank you to Ken Shoemaker and Ramona Crawford of the Prairie Dulcimer Club for leading this for our teachers!
MFAA, the MO Fine Arts Academy, is inviting 130 students to attend the summer arts camp hosted on the MSU campus in early June. There was a 123% increase in the number of applicants since 2 years ago. Please send a thank you to Dr. Fatih Benzer, Associate Professor of Arts Education at MSU, for his diligent efforts in making this possible. The State Legislature provided funding for students to attend for free this year. Please send a thank you to your state reps and senators! But next year, according to the proposed budget, it is cut significantly…please send them your concerns about this occurring…
The national STEAM conference is actually in St. Louis this year July 8th – 10th. Some of you need to go! 2026 National Arts Integration & STEAM Conference | July 7–10, St. Louis
-Kendra Franks
DESE Virtual Gallery
Featuring: Green Ridge Elementary and Halls Ferry Elementary
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DESE Virtual Gallery
Featuring: Green Ridge Elementary and Halls Ferry Elementary
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Visit DESE’s Virtual Art Gallery here, which features creations this month from Liberty High School (art teacher Sydney Carr) and Marion C Early District (art teachers Kendra Efker and Tabitha Stewart)! For more information about how your school can participate in the art exhibit, please contact Dr. Kendra Franks, DESE’s Fine Arts Curriculum Director at Kendra.Franks@dese.mo.gov.
Artwork is on display in the Jefferson Building 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Monday-Friday (except for state holidays). Please contact Kendra Franks, Arts Education Director before visiting.
Started in 2004, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has invited public schools throughout Missouri to submit samples of their students' artwork. The art is displayed in the Department's main office in Jefferson City and in the room where the State Board of Education holds its regular monthly meetings. Artwork from each featured school is showcased for a month. The same artwork is now featured here. For privacy reasons, the full names of the student artists will not be published here.
Schools that will be featured in the Virtual Art Gallery are already scheduled for several months in advance. Please do not submit unsolicited artwork. For more information, contact:
Kendra Franks, Ph.D.
Director of Fine Arts Education
573-751-9610
Kendra.Franks@dese.mo.gov
Image Credit: Ashari - Liberty High School
Regional News
Regional News
Breaking down news, resources, and events by region!
Tap Here for Regional News!
Regional Arts Education Networks
Regional Arts Education Networks
Strengthening regional connections increases access to resources, opportunities for professional learning and collaboration, and strengthens arts education within the region. Visit MAAE's new Regional Arts Education Networks page now.
News and Resources from our Allies
News and Resources from our Allies
Missouri Art Education Association Welcomes New Council Members
President - Elect Elizabeth Barker
President Sarah Luttrell
Past-president Rosie Ziegler
Treasurer Ben Hugenot
Secretary Melanie Robinson
National Art Education Association Leadership Conference
the National Art Education Association Leadership Conference is in Washington DC from July 23-27. Registration will open April 6th on the NAEA Website. Join Arts Leaders from across the country to learn and grow. Learn More Here.
MAEA Membership Book Club
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Attn: MAEA Members!
Check out MAEA's upcoming book for book club.
Dates to TBA announced soon. Cassie Stephens is a confirmed keynote speaker at our upcoming Spring Conference 2026. In the meantime, you can purchase your copy today.
https://cassiestephens.com/products/presale-art-teacherin-101-the-book
The book includes different tips and tricks for your art teacher journey. It includes sections like rules. Routines, consequences, your art teacher journey, art room management, kindergarten, and a day in the life.
268 pages, Paperback Published January 1, 2021
Also sign up for the mailing list to receive all updates on the book club here.
NAMAE Media Arts PD - FREE Course
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June 22 - 26, 2026
A $750 value! Course Intro Video
This FREE online course, with free curriculum, software and textbook, is for Gr. 6 - 12 public school teachers of all experience levels and backgrounds. This fast-paced, hands-on course provides foundational knowledge, curricula and tools for teaching multimedia production across AI, photo, imaging, graphics, animation, sound, video, code, and media literacy. We will practice easy to implement lessons and projects that support student creativity, broad production skills, and aesthetic analysis. The course provides a full year’s worth of standards-aligned curriculum, free software and other resources, and a textbook that guides instruction, with invaluable insights from a veteran media arts educator. A major aspect of the course will be interdisciplinary integration and alignments across all subject areas and the arts, as well as developing a sustainable, thriving program.
Space Suits in Progress: Sewable Electronics!
July 20 - 24, 2026
Facilitator: Barbara Liedahl, BJLfeltclaymaker LLC
Discover the Intersection of Fashion, Technology, and Space Exploration!
Did you know every astronaut's space suit combines sewing with cutting-edge technology? These incredible suits—designed for lunar missions, spacewalks, and beyond—combine the art of sewing, fashion, and textile design with electrical engineering, coding, and hardware skills. In this immersive 40-hour course, you'll explore the exciting world of sewable electronics and unlock endless possibilities for creating e-textiles, smart garments, and innovative fashion designs.
This course dives deep into the history of NASA’s space suits and the talented seamstresses who created them. You’ll design your own mission patch inspired by NASA’s iconic designs and learn hands-on how to integrate technology using Adafruit’s Circuit Playground Express.
MORE INFO AT WWW.MEDIAARTSEDU.ORG
MAEA Show Me Art Student Coloring Book Now Available
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The 6th edition of the MAEA Show Me Art Student Coloring Book is available. Missouri visual art students design a coloring book theme based around a theme. This coloring book is based on Missouri Celebrations and Festivals, featuring 89 art students' drawings from across Missouri in a 185 page coloring book. Each book is $13.99 and 100% of the profits go towards the MAEA Future Art Educator Scholarship Fund, which encourages high school art students to pursue art education as a career. Order your coloring book today on Amazon at https://a.co/d/04P6eSSA.
Next year's 7th edition Coloring Book Contest is now open with a theme of Exploring Missouri State Parks. For more information about the scholarship or the contest, please visit https://www.maea.net/programs-and-events/Contest
National Arts Integration and STEAM Conference in St. Louis this Summer
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Join 1,500+ K–12 educators for the only national in-person event focused on real classroom strategies that integrate the arts and STEAM—backed by research, built for collaboration, and designed to help you reach every student.
At a time when teaching feels exhausting and students are checked out, this National Conference gives you the strategies, community, and hands-on learning to make classroom experiences meaningful, creative, and effective again.
This can't-miss event is perfect for:
K–12 Classroom Teachers
Arts Specialists and STEM/STEAM Educators
Instructional Coaches and School Leaders
Teaching Artists and PD Coordinators
Kirkwood Students Win with C-SPAN Documentary Competition
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Kirkwood High School recently had 5 students winners of C-SPAN’s StudentCam 2026 documentary competition. StudentCam is C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation. In this semiquincentennial year celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, students in grades 6-12 to created a short (5:00-6:00 minute) video documentary on either a historical or contemporary topic that relates to the competition theme: “America’s 250th Anniversary” Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence.
2nd PRIZE WINNER – HIGH SCHOOL CENTRAL DIVISION:
Tripp Somerville, 11th Grade
“Government Compact - The Law or Threat to Universities”
Kirkwood High School
Kirkwood, MO
Teacher Adviser: Janet Depasquale
Airing on C-SPAN: Sunday, April 12
3rd PRIZE WINNERS – HIGH SCHOOL CENTRAL DIVISION:
Trip Nieman, 11th Grade
“Who Gets To Live Here: Diversity and a Community Changing”
Kirkwood High School
Kirkwood, MO
Teacher Adviser: Janet Depasquale
Recognized on C-SPAN: April 28
Luisa Marietta, 11th Grade
“The 1904 Philippine Reservation: Forgotten Pieces of American History”
Kirkwood High School
Kirkwood, MO
Teacher Adviser: Adam Rowland
Recognized on C-SPAN: May 4
Bennett Roettger
11th Grade
“The Delmar Divide, A Line That Separates a City”
Kirkwood High School
Kirkwood, MO
Teacher Adviser: Eric Turley
Recognized on C-SPAN: May 20
Daphne Wassel
11th Grade
“Fixing Our Aging Government”
Kirkwood High School
Kirkwood, MO
Teacher Adviser: Janet DePasquale
Recognized on C-SPAN: May 26
Announcing the Winners of the Judicial Learning Center 2026 Student Art Competition
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The Judicial Learning Center has announced the winners of this years student art competition. The young artists were asked to create works for the theme "Juries: Through the Eyes of Students." View all the winning works here.
High School
The Judicial Learning Center has announced the winners of this years student art competition. The young artists were asked to create works for the theme "Juries: Through the Eyes of Students." View all the winning works here.
High School
First Place
First Place
"The Media's Influence" by Lizzy Butler
Second Place
Second Place
"Youthful Justice" by Harper Sherry
Third Place
Third Place
"Eyes of Judgment" by Alize Kershaw
Middle School
Middle School
First Place
First Place
"Justice at the Hands of the People" by Sophie Turkowski
Second Place
Second Place
"A Fair Trial for All" by Mehak Sharma
Third Place
Third Place
"The Hearing" by Amiyah Strong
Upper Elementary School
Upper Elementary School
First Place
First Place
"Innocent vs. Guilty" by Beatrice Lorenz
Second Place
Second Place
"Order, Order in the Court" by Aura Lavender Brown
Third Place
Third Place
"Jury Duty" by Henry Vogt
Lower Elementary School
Lower Elementary School
First Place
First Place
"A Juror's Decision" by Joshua Troup
Second Place
Second Place
"The Jury" by Ben Mayabb
Third Place
Third Place
"The Jury and the Judge" by Kennedy True
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
"Many Ideas, One Decision" by Gracyn Prenger
"The Institution of the Court" by Carina Calkins
"Deliberation" by Emma Winkler
"Celebrating 250 Years of Jury in the Court System" by London Vance
"Voice of America" by Alivia Smith
"Right Denied, Right Declared" by Margaret Albart
"All Girl Jury" by Zocha Juntunen
"U.S.A." by Beth Reedy
Job Postings
View May 2026 Job Postings from Across Missouri
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Opera Theater of St. Louis is hiring a Manager of Donor Communications
The Historic Shaw Art Fair is hiring a new event coordinator. Interested applicants can learn more and apply here.
Missouri Humanities seeks a new Executive Director;
The Repertory Theater of St. Louis needs a Director of Marketing;
Craft Alliance is hiring a Development Manager and a Director of Education and Programming; and
Arts as Healing Foundation also looks for an Executive Director.
DESE Statewide Job Board
DESE’s new partnership with Nimble, a statewide platform helping thousands of educators find Missouri teaching jobs. All public schools are eligible to have their postings listed automatically. This initiative aims to increase visibility, reduce barriers, and make it easier to connect qualified teachers with districts in need.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Director of Media Production
Director of Production
Manager of Artistic Planning
and more
Funding
Funding
We need your help! Donate Now!
As a non-profit, the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) works tirelessly to promote and support high-quality arts education in Missouri schools. MAAE relies heavily on the support of donors like you to continue this critical work. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a significant difference in enhancing the quality and accessibility of arts education statewide.Make a donation, and help us create a brighter future for our young learners.
Thank you in advance for your support and for being an advocate of the arts and education.We are also grateful to those who have made in-kind donations to the Alliance.
As a non-profit, the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) works tirelessly to promote and support high-quality arts education in Missouri schools. MAAE relies heavily on the support of donors like you to continue this critical work. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a significant difference in enhancing the quality and accessibility of arts education statewide.Make a donation, and help us create a brighter future for our young learners.
Thank you in advance for your support and for being an advocate of the arts and education.We are also grateful to those who have made in-kind donations to the Alliance.
New Teacher/Mentor Help Available
Reach out to us for resources to help new fine arts teachers thrive!
Contact director@moaae.org or complete this short survey and we will help get new teachers connected with an experienced mentor in their specific arts discipline.
Follow MAAE across social media where we post about all things art education to help Missourians connect, celebrate, and advocate for arts education.
Become a Fine Arts Education Ally today! Free!
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