Greetings!

Deadline to submit FSAA student artwork entries is February 13th!

FAEA's Florida Student Art Assessment (FSAA) is Florida's premier program for assessing student artwork. This program serves as a tool to help visual art teachers develop their art programs, foster performance in the classroom, and celebrate the artistic achievements of Florida's students, teachers, and school art programs.

Submissions are now open! Log in to your FAEA account to submit your students' artwork today.

Deadlines:

• February 13, 2026 - deadline to submit student artwork submissions
• February 27, 2026 - deadline for FAEA office to receive payments and signed release forms

*New this year: You may now enter up to three entries per student.

Click here to learn more about the Florida Student Art Assessment, view the guidelines, access the scoring rubrics, and view past years' virtual exhibitions.

Dear FAEA Family,

Happy New Year! I hope your holiday season was filled with rest, relaxation, family, friends, and plenty of creative inspiration. There is something so restorative about that winter break, and as we return to our classrooms and studios, I hope you are carrying that renewed energy and spirit with you into the new year.

I am stepping into this role with a heart full of gratitude and a mind full of ideas for the future. First, I want to extend a huge thank you to Latonya Hicks. Her leadership has left us with a foundation built on authenticity, strength, and a reminder of the joy that brought us all together. Latonya, thank you for your service—you are, as always, "part of our flamboyance."

In addition to our leadership transition here at FAEA, I am thrilled to share some exciting news regarding our management partners. Please join me in giving a warm FAEA welcome to Scott Evans, who will soon officially begin his tenure as the new President and CEO of The Center for Fine Arts Education (CFAE) and Board Consultant of FAEA.

Welcoming Scott is particularly special for me. Having worked closely with him for over 10 years in Orange County, I have seen firsthand his tireless arts advocacy and his deep commitment to visual and performing arts. I know his heart, his work ethic, and his passion for arts education. Having that decade of shared history and partnership as we step into these new roles together gives me immense confidence in the future of our association. We are so fortunate to have his expertise supporting our mission.



For those of you I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, let me introduce myself. I am a firm believer that “The World is Better Because of the Arts.” I lead with an immense work ethic, a bit of fun, and the occasional 90s rap verse to keep things interesting. (And yes, if you hear someone humming a Rob Base track in the conference hallway, it’s probably me!)

As we begin 2026, my goal is to keep that creative spark alive by:

• Amplifying Your Voice: I want to hear your stories and your "crazy thoughts." Our Member Spotlight is just the beginning. I want to celebrate you every day. 
• Strengthening Our Community: We are a massive network of art educators. I want to ensure every member feels that they are a part of our flamboyance.
• Advocacy in Action: With programs like the Florida Student Art Assessment (FSAA) and Youth Art Month, we have incredible tools to show our state why the arts are essential in every aspect of our communities. 

My first request for the New Year? Let’s hit the ground running. Submit your student artworks for the FSAA by February 13, 2026. Nominate a colleague (or yourself!) for a Member Spotlight.

I am so honored to serve as your President. Let’s make 2026 a fantastic year!

Warmly,

Christy Garton

President, Florida Art Education Association

P.S. Together we are STRONGER!

2026 Youth Art Month Flag

FAEA is proud to unveil the 2026 Youth Art Month (YAM) Flag! Congratulations to 9th-grade student Brooke Furland from Polk County for winning the 2026 FAEA YAM Flag Design Competition! Brooke's artwork, The World Needs More Art, was selected by FAEA members as the design for Florida's 2026 YAM Flag. This flag will represent the state of Florida and be displayed among other state winners at the Youth Art Month Museum during the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Convention in Chicago, IL, on March 5-7. 

Thank you to all of the students who participated in this year's YAM Flag Design Competition! 

What is Youth Art Month?

Youth Art Month (YAM) is a national arts advocacy program that is celebrated during the month of March. This program strives to recognize, encourage, and celebrate art education in the classroom.

What is the Flag Design Competition?

The FAEA YAM Flag Design Competition is a statewide competition open to all students to submit a design that communicates an aspect of Florida's culture, history, and/or geography, as well as the YAM theme of "The World Needs Art." The winning design will be exhibited alongside other state YAM flags at the Youth Art Month Museum during the 2026 NAEA National Convention in Chicago, IL, on March 5-7.

Thank you to all of the teachers and students who participated this year. We look forward to seeing the student artworks submitted for the 2027 YAM Flag Design Competition, which will open in the Fall of 2026. In the meantime, you can view past YAM Flag design winners dating back to 2010.

How can I get involved with YAM?

From simple single-class learning activities to multi-school art projects, there are many ways for you and your students to get involved. Visit the FAEA website to find ideas to incorporate YAM into the classroom.

YAM is celebrated during the month of March, but art successes from any time of the year deserve recognition. Send FAEA a picture, description, and/or media article about arts advocacy events to info@faea.org with the subject line "YAM Event" at any time, and it will be included in Florida's YAM national report!

Cover Artwork:

Connor Carter (Grade 2)

Night Owl

Mixed Media

Gulf Beaches Elementary

Teacher: Lauren Miller

Pinellas County

Not Too Late to Donate!

Thank you to all of the donors who supported FAEA on #GivingTuesday last month! While GivingTuesday may be over, it's not too late to donate to FAEA. You can support FAEA all year long by donating at FAEA.org/donate.

With your support, FAEA will continue its mission to promote high-quality art education in Florida.

Click here to donate!