Patricia Franklin receives 2021 Art Educator Award
Posted: March 26, 2021
At its virtual convention in March, the National Art Education Association (NAEA) presented Patricia Franklin, supervisor of visual and performing arts for Newport News Public Schools, with the 2021 Southeastern Region Art Education Award.
Ms. Franklin has served NNPS in her current supervisory position for 18 years, after 27 years as a classroom art teacher.
She has served as President of the NAEA executive board and as the organization's regional vice president, as well as holding the office of president at the state level twice.
She has been instrumental in the development of state standards for both teaching the arts and for the college programs that prepare art teachers for the classroom.
Ms. Franklin's influence extended even beyond U.S. borders, as she traveled by invitation to China and Cuba to speak as an advocate for arts education.
Locally, she serves on the board of Newport News Public Art Foundation, The Coalition for Fine Arts Education, as a board member of Virginians for the Arts, the Teacher Advisory Committee of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Education Outreach Committee of the Virginia Symphony.
Ms. Franklin says, "The arts define us as a culture. All people deserve and benefit from participation in the arts."
