CALL FOR PROPOSALS

IMPORTANT DATE: 

Submission Deadline

July 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET 

Notification of Acceptance 

RIAEA strives to notify members of the status of their submission as early as possible; you can expect notification by July 1, 2026. For inquiries, e-mail . 

The RIAEA State Conference brings together teachers, district and state administrators, preservice students, college and university professors, art museum educators, teaching artists, and researchers to build community and generate new insights into issues, research, and practices affecting visual arts and design education. 

Sessions proposed for review should encourage dialogue and debate on current and emerging issues and trends that contribute to advancing visual arts education. Proposals should be inclusive of diverse professional communities, respective of cultural identity, and provide a safe and supportive environment for all points of view. Successful proposals will put forth sessions that feature an interactive and participatory format encouraging discussion, reflection, and creative problem solving. 

WRITING YOUR PROPOSAL 

Use the checklist below to collect the details needed to compile your presentation proposal before submitting it online. Carefully consider the components that will be used by peer reviewers to assess your presentation. Additionally, pay close attention to the tips following the checklist. Please Note: All sections must be completed as instructed to ensure that your presentation is reviewed. 

1. A current (renewed) NAEA/RIAEA membership number is REQUIRED for the lead presenter on each proposal.

2. Title (15 word limit) 

3.  Brief Program Description (50 word limit)

This version of your presentation description is what will be seen by Convention participants in the printed program, the website, and mobile app. It will influence the attendance of your session. 

4. Presentation Description (500 word limit for sections 3a-d combined): 

a. Statement of Purpose and Outcomes

State the purpose of the presentation and the anticipated outcomes. The purpose will communicate the intention or goals, and the anticipated outcomes will give details of what those attending can expect from the presentation. 

b. Organization of Content

Describe the content to be presented in a well-organized manner with a clear outline of the presentation. Include descriptive examples that provide supporting evidence such as, but not limited to, lesson or unit designs, narratives, exhibits or community events, etc. for the subject matter being presented—this will vary for the different presentation formats. 

c. Relevance of Topic

Include details about how the topic is relevant and makes a timely contribution to visual arts education issues and trends in the Division, Interest Group, or Area of Focus selected. 

d. Impact on Practice

Indicate how the presentation promotes best practice and provides an enriching professional development opportunity for attendees. 

e. Cultural Appropriation

Ensure that any / all references to cultural origins, images, and their implied meanings are used to inform societal practices and uses that avoid misinformation and perpetuating stereotypes. 

CHOOSE A SESSION FORMAT 

Select ONE of the formats in this category: 

1. Art/Ed Talk: Discussion of exemplary lessons, instructional practices, programs, and/or presentation of a professional paper about questions and findings from timely research studies followed by Q & A. Time:  50 minutes.

2. Panel Presentation: Explores a core idea in art education. Two to five panelists present their research, followed by small group discussions and moderated summary. Time: 50 Minutes

3. Hands-on Studio: Workshop-style presentation of a technique or method that engages participants with the materials/processes being presented. If accepted, presenters will be reimbursed for materials up to $75.  Time: 50 minutes.  

Proposal Review Process

All proposals submitted for sessions are peer-reviewed and evaluated by members of the Proposal Review Committee. All proposals will be reviewed using a blind review process. In an effort to ensure state conference sessions are not repeated from year to year, the RIAEA proposal review committee reserves the right to decline proposals that are a repeat of a session previously presented at a RIAEA conference in the last five years. Notification of proposal acceptance/rejection will be sent via email by July 1, 2026. Please find below the scoring rubric used by the review committee and the points awarded for each:

Scoring Criteria: Click here for full rubric

Statement of Purpose and Outcomes: Is the purpose clearly stated and are the anticipated outcomes well-defined?

Organization of Content: Is the topic well-organized with a clear outline of the content to be presented using examples as supporting evidence such as lesson or unit designs, narratives, exhibits, or community events, etc. for the subject matter being presented?

Relevance of Topic: Does the topic make a relevant and timely contribution to issues and trends in visual arts education in the Division, Interest Group, or Area of Focus selected?

Impact on Practice: Does the proposal promote best practices and provide enriching opportunities for professional development?

Cultural Appropriation: How does the proposal promote best practices that guard against cultural appropriation by demonstrating an insightful, competent, and respectful approach to art education content?