Welcome to the WAEA where we gather to promote and grow Art Education and Advocacy in Washington State.
Art Education Advocacy
WAEA is Fighting for arts education!Arts Education is being eroded. Washington State Education institutions are reducing their support for the Visual, Media, and Performing Arts even though research shows that the arts have a positive impact on our students' success and that Washington is one of the strongest creative economies in the nation and as.
As of May 21st, the working draft proposes the elimination of the required 1.0 Arts credit that is currently in place, and the elimination of an elective, reducing it to 3 credits available (light blue in graphic) from 4 that is currently in place. |
Arts as a graduation requirement.The FutureReady Taskforce cites the Revised Codes of Washington (RCW) that are in place for Washington law stating that "students must be given the opportunity to take the arts coursework", and "instruction must be accessible by all students", yet do not cite the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 180-51-210 that states, "Core credits are credits and subject areas that may not be waived under RCW 28A.230.090 (1)(e) and subsection (2) of this section. The core credits include: ...(h) One arts credit. The essential content in this subject area may be satisfied in dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts." (Certified on 3/22/2023)
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Take ActionLet policymakers know how you feel about the reduction of support in arts education. Make a comment to let them know how you feel about the proposed change.
WA Art Educators: Join WAEA to help support the work that WAEA does on the behalf of the art education community, and have a voice in the direction of our organization. |
OPSI High School Visual Art Show
Didn't get to watch the show yet? Stream Here
OSPI HS Art Show 2026 WAEA Award Winner“Plasticized”
Jisun Kim, Steilacoom HS "Plasticized" captures the moment in my life when I broke through the barrier in which I felt confined to from so many years of unspoken hardship and toils of growing up with an autistic sibling. However, it was through him that I was able to find my identity and establish myself in the world greater than the expectations placed on me. In this piece, I intended to convey themes of resilience. |
2026 WAEA Tribute Award Winner"Tracy FortuneTracy has organized and presented at many WAEA conferences and presented Nationally multiple times. Her contributions to WAEA live on in the structure of the WAEA Governing Documents, and was a KEY player at WAEA for her organizational strategy. The way she was able to "tap" newcomers into leadership positions is commendable. She was a welcoming presence who made you feel a part of something big in your first meeting and she wouldn't let us leave without helping to find a way for each of us to feel a part of it! Tracy is advocating for ceramics education by making her own curriculum and continuing to lead workshops (although she is in Texas now). She was a crucial part of building and sustaining the WAEA."
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Youth Art Month 2026 Overall WinnerRyan Kim, 4th Grade
Studio S, Issaquah, WA "Everywhere, Everyone Makes a Colorful World" Flag displayed at the 2026 National Art Education Association Conference in Chicago, IL |
Members Supporting Members
Washington PreK-16+ Active and Retired, Public and Private Educators, Post Secondary Arts Educators and Organizations, Teaching Artists, Museum Educators, Arts Administrators, and educators who support the Visual and Media Arts.
Giving in 2026Please consider contributing to WAEA in support of Student Scholarships and Educator Professional Development for this year. Check with your advisors about 2026 Donation Deductions
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Without you, there would not be a WAEA! Your membership, voice, advocacy, and support for our students in the Visual and Media Arts is everything!
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WE are YOU |
