MAE STATE DISCOVERY INITIATIVE

DRAFT! TO LAUNCH MID-JANUARY 2026

Media Arts Education State Discovery Initiative - Invitation to Participate

National Association for Media Arts Education (NAMAE)

Is your state ready to grow “media arts” through these simple steps?

1. Determine lead individual(s)

2. Distribute invitation to “educators of media arts” (various backgrounds)

   1. E.g. Tap State Arts Ed Database, include invite in your state arts ed newsletter, general Query to Principals, etc.

3. Map MAE in state - Survey gathers details of location, teacher, program, course(s) 

4. Publicly highlight and share examples of MAE (blog, webpage)

5. Quarterly apprise NAMAE and other state participants of progress and results

SIGN-UP HERE!

Phase I: 1 year (January, 2026-27)

Phase II: Proposed, Time TBD - Consider future collaborations/phases with NAMAE and other states for further professional development and activities (grants, research, media arts festivals, student competitions, honors and scholarships, etc.)

Purpose 

Media Arts Education (MAE) is digital creativity across photo, imaging, graphics, animation, video, sound, music, game design, interactive design, 3D, virtual reality, etc. MAE is widespread in schools, and can be performed by a variety of faculty. Through surveys of "teachers of media arts" in Los Angeles, Pennsylvania and nationally, NAMAE has measured that possible backgrounds and credentials can also include Career Technical Education, film, tech, visual arts, theatre, STEM/STEAM, computer science, media literacy, & journalism. 

NAMAE was established in 2024 with a primary directive to consolidate and advance the discipline for the benefit of all learners. 

In order to progress towards this goal, we are seeking states interested in growing MAE in their state to proceed through an initial “Discovery” phase. Beginning to recognize and highlight MAE’s presence in states is critical to understanding the discipline, and to inform NAMAE’s strategic support and advocacy. 

These states would become a collective cohort that would begin to communicate and share their progress and results, and could consider further collaborations and support. This growing intelligence and activity would be of tremendous benefit to the MAE field and NAMAE as it continues to progress. 

Discovery Process

1. Recruit a MAE leader and/or team. This could be a teacher or administrator, or any volunteer who is committed to this process.

a. It is highly recommended that this lead work with state level arts ed adminstrator(s) (SEADAE), if available.

2. Get the word out - send notices and invitations to district and school administrators and associated teachers, or out-of-school programs, who are, or who may know of ‘teachers of media arts’ in these various situations and backgrounds. 

a. Consult arts education databases (https://artseddata.org/), if available, for courses and/or ‘teachers of media arts’, no matter their background/licensure. 

b. Use other means to reach out to the field, such as an arts ed newsletter, or an open letter to principals to pass the word. 

c. Create a survey for educators and persons who may be interested in joining and/or supporting the state initiative.

d. Scope various other media arts related post-secondary, industry, non-profit, community organizations and resources. 

3. On a prominent website or blog (e.g. Department of Education, Arts Ed Alliance), present data, descriptions, examples, and/or documentation for the field. For example, this could amount to a “Media Arts in State Blog” - showing media arts in practice in various schools, classrooms, after school programs, higher education, businesses, and/or industry situations. This webpage can begin prior tto 

4. State participants quarterly share their methods, progress and results with the cohort and NAMAE, so that we begin to form a network of knowledge, recognition and support for the discipline.

NAMAE’s Role and Support Offerings

This initial state-directed step provides NAMAE the foundation for beginning to foster a national network of media arts educators, and to support their professional development and collective advancement. Possibilities for workshops include:

• MAE Introduction: Inform administrators, educators and supporters of the discipline and its educational development and potentials

• MAE 101 - Provide basic training in program development, maintenance and instruction across various media arts forms

• Consultation on discipline development, specific forms, program development, funding resources, best practices, future trends, etc.

SIGN UP HERE! OTHER QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS? CLICK HERE 

STATES WHO HAVE SIGNED UP: