Awards, Scholarships, and Grants

See our 2022 Award Winners

Scholarship and PD Grant Information

IAEA supports the improvement and advancement of art, design, and media education in schools, communities, and museums throughout Illinois. This includes the encouragement of professional excellence by supporting the education and continuous learning of its members.

Applications are now being accepted

The 2023 Scholarship and Grant Applications are now Available!

Students: Apply for $1000 Undergraduate Scholarship and Graduate Scholarship

Current Art Educators: Apply for Professional Development Grant up to $500.

Apply to attend classes at the School of the Art Institute or Ox-Bow in Michigan through the Howlett Scholarship
Please contact Eryn Blaser [email protected] for questions or more information.

Learn More about Awards & Grants through the presentation below!

Undergraduate Scholarship Application

Graduate Scholarship Application

Professional Development Grant

Howlett Scholarship for SAIC classes/OxBow

Artist Connection Fund Application

2023 Conference BIPOC Grant

Award Information . . .

Nominations have now Closed for 2023.

Grants, and scholarship applications are also open! Deadline for applications to be submitted is Thursday June 1st.

The IAEA Awards Program is intended to recognize art educators who are committed and dedicated to their students and the art, design, and media education profession. This program, which recognizes excellence in individuals and programs, helps provide for the development of quality art education throughout the state of Illinois.

To promote public awareness of the importance of quality art, design, and media education.
To promote support of and to focus professional attention on quality programs and excellent art, design, and media educators.
To recognize significant contributions to the profession and organization of IAEA.

Illinois Art Educator of the Year (Chosen by award committee from nominations in categories below)
Illinois Elementary Art Educator of the Year
Illinois Middle School/Junior High Art Educator of the Year
Illinois Secondary Art Educator of the Year
Illinois Early Professional Award (3 – 7 years teaching)
Illinois Higher Education Art Educator of the Year
Illinois Art Administrator/Supervisor of the Year
Illinois Museum Art Educator of the Year
Distinguished Service in IAEA
Distinguished Service in the Profession of Art Education
Distinguished Service to Art Education (outside the profession)
President’s Special Award (chosen by current IAEA president)
Distinguished Member Award (chosen by past Distinguished Member recipients)
School of Distinction

Significant contribution within an award category.
Outstanding record of general professional achievement.
Continuing record of contributions to art education in Illinois.
Current active membership in IAEA.
To be considered for a national award, NAEA membership is required. National nomination is optional.

Award categories 1-7.

Outstanding record of success as an art educator from colleagues, administrators, students, and community.
Outstanding ongoing record of general professional achievement, continued education, studio accomplishments/exhibitions, publications, service to individual school program and school district, service to community, and service to the art education profession.
Recognized as a leader.

Illinois Museum Art Educator of the Year

Outstanding record of successful collaborative efforts as a museum art educator from colleagues, administrators, teachers and students, and community.
Outstanding record of general professional achievement, continued education, studio accomplishments, publications, service to individual school programs and school districts, service to community, and service to the art education profession.

Distinguished Service in IAEA

Exemplary contributions of time and effort to IAEA.

Distinguished Service to the Profession of Art Education

Outstanding contribution to the field of art education; record of service to school, district, and community, record of previous awards, honors, and record of publications.

Distinguished Service to Art Education (outside of the profession)