Refrigerators across America are proudly adorned with the artworks that kids make from year to year, starting with those charmingly messy hand print paintings, graduating on to adorable stick figure pets, and then ultimately to those startling creations by seven-, eight- and nine-year-olds that make you wonder why children's art is not taken as seriously as it surely should be.

Not always getting the proper credit for cultivating that very same creativity are the teachers who patiently and passionately inspire those kids every day, as well as the organizations that support them in those endeavors. One in particular is the Pennsylvania Art Education Association, the Keystone State's branch (virtually every state has its own edition) of the overarching NAEA, which works at the national level to elevate the possibilities for - as well as expand access to - art education in public schools across America.

Pennsylvania, the fifth largest state by population, counts approximately 2.8 million children enrolled in PK-12. And with an estimated 70% participating in some form of art education, that means the PAEA is, for all intents and purposes, responsible for the creative enlightenment of nearly two million young minds.

 "Supporting and promoting visual arts education through professional development, leadership, and service," is how Board Member at Large Jaime Linn Brown describes the organization's mission. "Our current strategic vision features five pillars of focus: community, advocacy, learning, research and knowledge. We strive every day to support our members and their students in the best way possible."

Albert Einstein, a pretty smart chap himself, famously summed up the importance of precisely that early stage development: "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."

No small feat, mind you.

CJ Matz was named President of the PAEA in 2025, and now collaborates with the board as well as the more than 700 additional members of the organization (making it the third largest NAEA affiliate), ever aiming to invigorate visual arts education by equipping educators with vital new teaching tools. The need to respond to the rapid social and cultural changes brought on especially by the dawn of the digital age has made this all the more urgent.

For the current school year, he reveals that their main priorities include, "updating our multi-year Strategic Plan, and collaborating with the Department of Education, along with colleagues in music, dance, theater, and media arts to revise the Pennsylvania Arts & Humanities Standards. We are also committed to providing continuous, high-quality statewide and regional programming, including member favorites such as our Book Club series and our podcasts."

So, what are some of the highest priority challenges facing the PAEA and art educators in general in the year ahead? Matz emphasizes the need to continue to foster an atmosphere of inclusivity; but also acknowledges that technology and its rapid evolution will remain a preeminent concern, especially as kids are incredibly early adopters, often even helping their own parents navigate the ever-shifting digital landscape. (An insightful BBC story from 2022 considers the ways in which tech is actually affecting how quickly kids mature.)

"We face the task of broadening access and fostering inclusivity," Matz explains, "so that all members feel a sense of belonging and connection. This includes diversifying our programming to reflect the range of voices and experiences in the arts, and ensuring equitable opportunities for engagement across urban, suburban, and rural communities...whilst also navigating shifts in educational systems and curriculum standards to [accommodate] the rapid integration of technology and AI in classrooms."

Not surprisingly, Brown emphasizes the imperative for parents to take an active role in ensuring that their kids have sufficient time and space for their creative expression to flourish.

"My own parents, who would describe themselves as 'not art people,' still did some of the most impactful things to nurture my creativity. They made sure I had access to basic art supplies at home, sought out free enrichment classes through school and community programs, took an interest in my work by asking about it, and brought me to our local museum."

It's important to remember that, even during times of financial belt-tightening, there are no shortage of budget-friendly opportunities that can foster creativity in young people. Good Housekeeping even went as far as to compile a list of 80 low-cost activities to ensure that kids "will never be bored again."

Note: You can make a tax-deductible donation to the PAEA at givebutter.com.