Celebrating CAT Conversations

Have you heard about the first CAT Conversation and the Rita L. Irwin Art Teacher Dissemination of Knowledge Award?

On October 16, 2025, more than 20 art educators from across Canada met to honour and listen to five amazing teachers: Perry Rath (Smithers, BC); Allison Moore (Winnipeg, MB); Dan Attic (Montreal, QC); Emily Burgis (Newmarket, ON); & Sara Griffin (Fredericton, NB).

As a panel hosted by Amy Atkinson and Marie-France Berard (CAT co-editors) these five exceptional art teachers each contributed to the inaugural “CAT Conversation” by sharing inspirations, concerns, and hopes for their students and community.

An interview with one of the winners and a celebration of the event on CBC can be found here.

Video of this first “CAT Conversation” will be available soon!

Nominate a great art teacher from your province or territory to be one of the next award winners and contributors to the “CAT Conversation” planned for spring 2026. Please use this form.