New York City Art Teachers

Mission Statement of NYCATA

Who We Are: We are the professional organization for Art Educators in New York City . We are Region 8 of 10 regions of the New York State Art Teachers Association (NYSATA). NYCATA/UFT membership includes public school art teachers (K-12), common branch and special education licensed teachers, non-public school art teachers, art administrators, university and museum art educators. All UFT members in these categories are members without a fee and are entitled to vote in NYCATA/UFT elections.

Our Mission: To encourage and support Art Educators and a quality art program on all levels of education GOALS and OBJECTIVES:

I. TO ADVOCATE ART EDUCATION WITHIN OUR FIELD AND IN OUR COMMUNITY (CITY, STATE AND NATIONAL)

1. To keep abreast of policies and legislation that effect our field and respond in writing to appropriate policy makers.
2. Sponsor informational meetings.
3. Provide information to art educators so they can write or phone legislators to keep them informed about our ideas and concerns.
4. Sponsor activities and events that highlight the work of art students and art educators and the process and content of art education.
5. Inform and recommend to the Department of Education what we want and need.
6. Inform our colleagues, school community and legislators of our philosophy, purpose and activities by disseminating our materials at the UFT Spring Conference, New Teacher city-wide meetings and by exhibiting student art work in the NYSATA School Board show and Albany Legislative Exhibit.
7. Participate in the Chancellor's Advisory Board on the Arts (if it exists).
8. Represent our members at State Education Department and NYC Department of Ed focus groups that are concerned with setting policies that effect art education.
9. Collaborate with other organizations that share our concerns to:

a. develop a strong political voice and
b. provide increased opportunities for art educators and/or students.
c. increase the knowledge of "non-art" people about art education resources and the critical need for art education for all students

II. TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ART EDUCATORS

1. Sponsor events and meetings that meet the professional needs of teachers who teach art, such as all day conferences, general meetings, retreats and day trips.

III. TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ART EDUCATORS TO NETWORK WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE FIELD.

1. Sponsor activities that include sharing of concerns and ideas such as conferences, general meetings, retreats and day trips.
2. To provide for ‘process activities". For example: a group art project; preparing for an event during which people can get to know each other.
3. To support and work with other organizations who have similiar goals to initiate collaborative art related opportunities for students and educators.

IV. TO COMMUNICATE WITH ART EDUCATORS AND PEOPLE INTERESTED IN OUR FIELD.

1. To provide at least 3 NYCATA/UFT newsletters a year to be sent to all chapter chairpersons and our NYSATA membership.
2. To provide a Report for the May UFT Spring Conference and for the NYSATA Representative Council.
3. To provide an End Year Report to all NYSATA members and to members of the NYSATA Representative Council.
4. To form a call-a-thon committee who will call at least NYSATA members to inform and remind them of special events; ask them for their ideas and share with them ways in which they can become actively involved.
5. To increase our NYSATA membership so we have a larger base of constituents.
6. To mail out flyers and notices of our activities to all chapter chairpersons and NYSATA members.
7. To send press releases about our activities to the NEW YORK TEACHER, CSA Newsletter and other related publications.

V. TO PROVIDE RECOGNITION TO ART STUDENTS, ART EDUCATORS AND ARTIST/TEACHERS.

1. To sponsor a NYCATA/UFT Student Art Award to be sent out to every school in the city.
2. To sponsor student art exhibitions. For example: Youth Art Month activity - "OUR NEW YORK" Car Cards; Donnell Library Exhibit
3. To sponsor Artist/Teacher exhibitions.
4. To recognize outstanding Art Educators, Administrators and Advocates at our annual conference.
5. To sponsor Receptions and Award Ceremonies.
6. To highlight outstanding school programs in NYCATA NEWS, NY TEACHER, CSA Bulletin, mail one page abstract of program to NYSATA members for the purpose of sharing ideas.

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