Dr. Michaelann Kelley, Ed. D., Department of Creative Arts Chair and Assistant Professor, Receives Lone Star Art Advocate Award!
, is the Chair of the and Assistant Professor of Art and Design at 外网天堂 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to this position, she was Director of Visual Arts for Aldine ISD in Houston, Texas. Dr. Kelley had been working at the district level for the past seven years on the development of visual art curriculum and instruction. Prior to moving into administration, she was a high school art teacher for 23 years at Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. . In 2024, Michaelann was also presented the Lone Star Art Advocate Award by the Texas Art Education Association.
Dr. Kelley is the only art educator to be a fellow in two states recognized for their outstanding contributions to the field of art education!
About the Award: Lone Star Art Advocate Award: 2024 Michaelann Kelley
Awarded to outstanding individual(s), groups or agencies for exemplary, distinguished support and continued advocacy in the interest of art and art education in Texas at the local, state, and national level. This award may not be given annually, and nomination must come from the TAEA Executive Board.
Presentation at the Texas Art Education Conference by Kaleigh Newman to Michaelann Kelley
“I am excited to present the Lone Star Art Advocate Award. Since its inception in 2016, this award has only been presented four times. The award celebrates those who have passionately advocated for art and art education in Texas at the local, state, and national levels.
The 2024 Lone Star Art Advocate Award goes to Dr. Michaelann Kelley. I am truly blessed to call Dr. Michaelann Kelley my colleague, mentor, and friend. The impact of this remarkable individual stretches from Texas to Ohio, and beyond. The stories of those who have worked with Dr. Kelley speak volumes about her influence and advocacy for visual arts.
I remember my first year teaching art at the 9th grade campus—I cried A LOT. In those challenging moments, Dr. Kelley encouraged me to pull up my bootstraps and generously shared invaluable resources. This is one of many stories that I could tell that expresses Dr. Kelley’s continuous support of art educators.
Dr. Kelley also initiated and supported critical friends groups with colleagues at Eisenhower High School, Aldine ISD, and the Portfolio Group.
What is 120 times 25? With over 3,000 students in her career, Dr. Kelley continues to inspire, impact, and change the trajectory of her art student's lives. The echoes of Dr. Kelley’s impact continue to resonate across our state and nation. Some of her students are art teachers and district administrators in education continuing in her footsteps. Yet, others are lawyers, engineers, and doctors that reflect the qualities of a solid public education that included the visual arts.
Dr. Kelley has dedicated over 30 years to arts education, and in 2018, she had a groundbreaking idea: to set a standard for visual arts programs throughout Texas. This idea blossomed into the District of Distinction program. In its inaugural year, 16 districts were recognized, and today, 96 districts—large, medium, and small—have earned this distinction. This award provides a vital platform for visual arts advocacy, elevating the status of our programs.
Dr. Kelley doesn’t just bring a chair to the table; she doesn’t ask permission, she does the work that is needed to elevate visual arts education. Every collaboration and association she fosters leads to substantial growth for all involved.
Thank you, Dr. Kelley, for your unwavering passion, advocacy, and for amplifying all of our visual arts programs. You inspire us to reach new heights!
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!”
Presentation given by Kaleigh Newman, Texas Art Education Association Chair-elect for the Visual Art Administrators of Texas Division at the Texas Art Education Association Conference, November 15, 2024.
