NAEA Open Studio Conversation: Defining Belonging: Simple Inclusive Strategies for the Arts Classroom

Cathy Rosamond teaches arts-informed thesis, museum studies, visual arts literacy, and other core art education courses to graduate students at SVA. She currently serves as the Chair of the ED&I Commission at NAEA. Her research, studio, and teaching practices continue to be inspired by investigations into artmaking as a form of inquiry and by non-Western ways of being that challenge the mainstream narrative.

Maria Knuckley Robinson is an artist, art educator, and higher education leader serving as assistant professor of visual and performing arts and as curriculum director of studio art and pre–art therapy at Salem Academy and College. She holds an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction, an MAT in Art Education, an MFA in Painting, and a BS in Business Administration. Her studio practice explores women’s resilience, memory, grief, domestic labor, and the relationship between the body and place through painting, sculpture, installation, and material-based processes. Her teaching and research focus on inclusive pedagogy, interdisciplinary learning, curriculum design, and connecting studio practice to professional and creative opportunities. A current NAEA Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Commissioner and former Treasurer of the North Carolina Art Education Association, Maria’s work centers on belonging, sustainability, alignment, and meaningful connections among artists, educators, students, and communities.

Lauren Pierce is an elementary school art teacher dedicated to fostering equitable, inclusive visual arts environments for K–12 students. She holds a Master of Teaching in Art Education from George Mason University and is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her research and advocacy explore the intersection of neurodiverse, queer, and cultural identities in children, driving the creation of accessible, decolonized curriculum resources for art educators. Most recently, she has focused on expanding inclusive pedagogy and resource sharing across the field. 

Alicia Kopec is a dedicated art educator with over 25 years of experience transforming visual arts education. Currently serving as the visual arts content specialist at Chicago Public Schools, she focuses on developing inclusive, high-quality arts curricula and fostering equitable learning environments for thousands of students across the district. A nationally recognized advocate for diversity in the arts, Alicia serves as a member of the NAEA ED&I Commission and acts as the ED&I Liaison for the Illinois Art Education Association. Her commitment to systemic change and inclusive pedagogy earned her the prestigious 2026 NAEA Agent of Change Award. Throughout her career as an educator, leader, and advocate, Alicia remains passionate about empowering students, supporting fellow educators, and leveraging creative expression as a catalyst for social justice in schools and communities.