The History of the Texas Art Education Association

The oldest records available show that art teachers have met as an Art Section of the Texas State Teachers Association since 1919. The Art Section continued to meet and the exact date this group organized the Associated Art Instructors of Texas was probably in the late thirties. When organized, the stated purpose of AAIT was three-fold:

1. To coordinate the art instruction of the schools of the State of Texas and to develop a greater interest and love of art in the pupil as a consumer and producer so that are will become a vital part of her daily living.
2. To define and encourage studies and research related to art education.
3. To act as a spokesman for art in total education and to promote a coordinate program of public relations.

From the time of its organization, the Association retained the name Associated Art Instructors of Texas until it was changed in 1950 to the Texas Art Educators Association. In 1966 the present name was adopted: the Texas Art Education Association.

Mission Statement:

To promote quality visual arts education in Texas by promoting visual arts education as an integral part of the curriculum through professional development of knowledge and skills, representation of the art educators of Texas, service and leadership opportunities, and research and development of policies and decisions relative to practices and directions in visual arts education; to sustain and advance professional development; to encourage and promote the advancement of knowledge and skills.

The Texas Art Education Association believes:

• The visual arts are essential at all levels of human development.
• The visual arts are sensitive to learning styles and multiple intelligence: all students are capable.
• The visual arts develop critical and creative thinkers.
• Visual literacy and self-expression in the visual arts are vital forms of communication in our global society.
• Quality visual arts education requires instruction by professional certified art educators.
• Continuous professional development is necessary for quality teaching.
• Active support of research and development in visual arts education is essential.
• Promotion and implementation of quality visual arts education through communication with students, parents, school administrators and community leaders.

The Association shall publish annually one or more issues of the Journal of the Texas Art Education Association and shall publish annually a minimum of three (3) TAEA Newsletters.

© 1997 Texas Art Education Association