Nebraska Art Teachers Association to Receive 2016 NAEA Website Award
​We are proud to receive word from Deborah Reeve, NAEA Executive Director, that the NATA website has received the 2016 NAEA Website Award. 
The State/Province Association/Issues Group Website Award recognizes excellence in the development and ongoing maintenance of a State/Province Association or Issues Group website.
All sites submitted for review should exhibit at a minimum the following standards:
1. Appropriate and current State/Province Association or Issues Group content
2. Accurate information;
3. Clear navigation;
4. Organizational clarity and proper grammar; and
5. Visual appeal and compatibility with major PC and Mac browsers.
Our current webmaster and Co-President, Lynette Fast, will accept the award on behalf of NATA in Chicago March 16, 2016.

You've been hearing about that fantastic, intimate residency program in the quaint, historic town of Nebraska City, Nebraska for some time now. Isn't it time to reward yourself with a few weeks there dedicated solely to your creative practice? Don't delay; submit your application by midnight on Tuesday, March 1 through our online portal. More questions about our program? We are happy to answer them. Email us today or visit our website to learn more.
Upcoming Events:
Mar. 11- Reception for The Residents: work from the Collection of KHN, 5-7 pm at Eisentrager-Howard Gallery, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mar. 17- Gallery reception for The Walking Shrines by Tom Kreager, and Third Thursday Open Studio, 5 - 7 pm
Apr. 21- Gallery Reception for Barbara Simcoe, and Third Thursday Open Studio, 5-7 pm
May 19- Gallery Reception for Josh Johnson, and Third Thursday Open Studio

Congressional Art Competition 9-12 Grade
Information NOW AVAILABLE!
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

NATA facilitates and juries the Nebraska District 2 and 3 local level competition. For information go to the NATA website to find your submission information. Entries are due March 15th to Debbie Kippley. Bellevue is now in district 1, so please submit your work to Jeff Fortenbury's office.

​District 1, Jeff Fortenbury's office, is facilitated by his office. If you have any questions you may contact Marie Woodhead at (402) 438-1598. For additional information you may also visit the CAC website.

NATA Board Meeting
Lincoln Public Schools District Office, 5905 O Street, Lincoln 68510
March 12, 2016, 9:30am - 12:30pm brunch meeting
We welcome all members to attend. If you will be attending please notify natapresident@gmail.com immediately so plans for brunch can be arranged. Following the board meeting please attend the 2:00pm YAM Celebration at the State Capitol. Preliminary Agenda can be viewed now.

The Annual National K12 Ceramic Exhibition is the premier juried ceramic competition for Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) students in the United States. Designed to showcase the best K12 ceramic work made in the country, the exhibition takes place in a different city each year in conjunction with the annual conference of The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). The NCECA conference is the preeminent ceramic event in the US annually, gathering professionals from universities, colleges, museums, art galleries and the ceramic arts world to a host city to view exhibitions, demonstrations, talks and other ceramic events. For that week, the host city is the world capital of ceramics. ​

VOTE TODAY!
If you have not voted, you will receive your last reminder and link to vote for the 2016 NATA Executive Board this week. Please take 1 minute to place your vote.

McCook Community College High School Art Exhibition and Paint-In, March 28th – April 8th, 2016
Each student may enter a total of three pieces; each school may enter up to 20 pieces of art work (unless prior approval for a larger number), for the $3.00 entry fee per work. 
Fees:  There will be a $3.00 entry fee charged for each participating students work.  This fee will help cover the cost of the exhibition, awards, and materials.  Please make checks payable to McCook Community College.
2016  Paint-In Categories:
Painting: Oil, Watercolor, Acrylic in either oil or watercolor technique
Drawing: Pencil, Charcoal, Conte Crayon, Pastel, Pen and Ink, and Ink and Wash, Scratch Board
Prints: Wood and Linoleum block, Silkscreen
Mixed Media: Collage, Assemblage, any two or more mediums combined in a work
Three-Dimensional: Sculpture (any media able to be lifted easily by one person)
Pottery: Hand-built or Wheel-thrown
Digital Work and Photography: All original work please
Awards: There will be scholarship awards for qualified seniors, please contact me during or before the Paint-In, I award them in a first come first serve basis….
One Best of Show Trophy will be awarded.  Medal winners within each category: One Judges Choice Award, One gold 1st place, One silver 2nd place, and One bronze 3rd place medal.         Trophies will be awarded for paint-in placing, with individual ribbons.
The agenda for the Paint-In day is as follows: April 18th, 2016
9:00 a.m.  Paint-In theme announced, question and answer sessions, rules and prizes discussed.
9:30 a.m.  Paint-In begins. 
12:00 p.m.  Paint-In work completed. 
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.  LUNCH, on your own, on or off campus.
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.  Award Ceremony in gym.
1:30 – 2:00 p.m.  Pick up student works from the Wrightstone Gallery.
The Art Department will supply the painting support and the tempera paint.  Colors are Red, Blue, Yellow, White, Black, Brown, Purple, Orange and Green. Individual schools are responsible for their own brushes, special colors, paper towels, water and paint containers, newspapers, and other items if needed (hair-dryers, extension cords, and magazines for inspiration). Questions and Information Contact Rick Johnson, McCook Community College, 800-658-4348, ext. 8175

FOR FAMILIES FAMILY ARTS FESTIVAL 
Kearney Cultural Partners and the Museum of Nebraska Art present an exciting day mixed with art, music, theater, dance and fun for all! At MONA, participate in interactive art activities and dance away to music and songs provided by The String Beans, performances at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Across the street at the World Theatre, charge the stage and let your inner performer out. At Yanda’s Music and Pro Audio Store, strum, pluck, and toot through new and perhaps unfamiliar musical instruments.
Saturday, February 20 • 1:00-4:00 p.m.
FREE and open to the public 
Museum of Nebraska Art –
• The String Beans, 2:00-2:30 and 3:00-3:30, pith the support of the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment
• Fun with Puppets, Kearney Area Children’s Museum – 1:00-4:00
• Hands on Art Activities throughout MONA – 1:00-4:00
World Theatre –
• Acting Up, Academy of Children’s Theatre – 1:00-1:30 and 2:30-3:00
• Get Into the Groove, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Dance – 1:30-2:00 and 3:00-3:30
• Theater Fun, Crane River Theater – 2:00-2:30 and 3:30-4:00
• Books Are Just the Beginning, Kearney Public Library – 1:00-4:00
Yanda’s Music – Scond Floor –
• Playing the Rhythms, Singing the Songs, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Music – 1:00-1:30 and 2:00-2:30
• Movin’ & Groovin’ to the Music, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Music – 1:30-2:00 and 2:30-3:00
• Instrument Petting Zoo, Kearney Symphony Orchestra – 3:00-4:00
For more information contact the Museum at (308) 865-8559. ​

A Sesquicentennial Message to Nebraska Counties 
Do you know that you have a unique opportunity to help the State of Nebraska celebrate its 150th Birthday? Yes, Nebraska’s Sesquicentennial will be held during 2017 and we NEED YOU!
To help include all Nebraska counties in this yearlong celebration, the Governor’s Nebraska 150 Commission has ENDORSED an exciting Statewide Photography Call titled “Bridges: Sharing our Past to Enrich the Future.” This juried exhibition is sponsored by the Hildegard Center for the Arts, the Nebraska Tourism Commission and the Nebraska State Historical Society. Photographers everywhere are being called to submit photos of historic sites and hidden treasures found in ALL 93 COUNTIES throughout Nebraska.  As you’ll see from the press release, selected photos will be featured in a STATEWIDE traveling exhibit as part of Nebraska’s 150th Birthday Celebration in 2017.
Please help us reach our goal (deadline is March 21st) by capturing the beauty/history of a spot in Nebraska for this once-in-a-lifetime event!  For guidelines and to submit photos, go to www.hildegardcenter.org.  To learn more about the Governor’s Nebraska 150 Commission, visit www.nebraska150.org. 
Appreciatively, Cathy Harrington
Chair of “Bridges” Call to Photographers
402.730.6668

Entries are now being accepted by the AKSARBEN Foundation for the annual Agricultural Art Contest held in conjunction with the AKSARBEN Stock Show & Rodeo at the CenturyLink Center September 22-25, 2016. 
For the past several years, an open art contest has been held to showcase Nebraska resident’s artwork. The artwork must reflect “agriculture” or “youth in agriculture” and include traditional livestock such as cattle, swine, sheep and/or poultry. Three divisions will be open to freehand artists. 
Division A - Grades 1 - 5 
Division B - Grades 6 - 8 
Division C - Grades 9 -12
​Entries must be original and created on standard 8 .” x 11” paper or canvas. 

​A very special thank you to Angie Fischer, Omaha Public Schools, for facilitating the collection of art, judging, display, awards ceremony, submissions to national judging, and return of all Nebraska work. If you have student work in the show, please consider how you can help hang the show, assist with the awards ceremony, or to help in any way, please contact Angie today! 

Help your students get the most out of their art museum experience by preparing them before the visit! Learn strategies that will positively impact museum learning, including:

• Reflective conversations about art
• Searching for visual cues
• Making personal connections
• Teaching museum rules and etiquette
• And more!