President

Bradford B. Venable, President, AEAI I have just returned from Omaha, Nebraska where President-Elect Terri Nagel and I attended the annual NAEA Western Region Meeting.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Western Region, Indiana is one of 16 states in the Western Region.  Other regions include the Eastern Region, the Southeastern Region, and the Pacific Region.  They too, have annual meetings much the same as the Western Region.       This was my last Western Region Meeting that I will attend as President of AEAI.  I was saddened to leave.  While we only meet once a year as a region and see fellow region attendees briefly at the National Convention during Delegates Assembly, I have made long-lasting friends here.  Western Region is a time when we not only accomplish business that relates directly to NAEA, but more importantly, it provides a unique opportunity where we can hear about the successes and struggles in our fellow state associations.  I have always left the Western Region Meeting with pride in what Indiana has accomplished throughout the year.  Other state associations often comment on our successes and will ask for advice regarding some of the issues that they are facing.  Their praise is especially significant when I realize the overall strength of all states in the Western Region and the leadership they have provided NAEA.  Consider for example, that the next President of NAEA is AEAI’s own Bob Sabol.   Next year’s Western Region Meeting will be in Columbus, Ohio and will additionally provide a Leadership Summer Retreat.  This event, which was first accomplished in the Western Region, is mirrored in other regions and is a time when council members and other leaders-in-training come together to learn the skills that will help them become better direct efforts in their respective states.  Two years ago, we were able to send several members of AEAI’s Executive Council when we met in Grand Rapids, Michigan.   AEAI continues to provide leadership throughout the state.  These leaders often are working quietly, behind the scenes to advance art education in a myriad of ways.  It is my sincerest wish that the leaders of tomorrow are recognized and provided a road forward so that they build on the wonderful work that year after year we accomplish.  Consider becoming a leader in art education in Indiana and in AEAI by getting more involved.  We need your voice, your energy, and your vision.  Email a district representative, a division representative, or me and let us know you would like to take the first steps on that road to leadership.   Western Region Pics.... President-Elect Robert Sabol discusses where NAEA  has been and is going...   and discussing the impact of his study, No Child Left Behind: A Study of its Impact on Art Education (available at www.naea-reston.org/research/online-publications).   Brad and Terri describe AEAI's progress in the previous year.