In existence since 1984, our mission is to provide top quality education for our industry
by keeping our workforce up to date with the latest technologies and trends, while
instilling a high regard for traditional standards and practices. We are also committed to
ensuring the successful future of the graphic arts industry by nurturing its potential
leaders and constituents. We strive to be the “go to” resource for education, support and
professional development.

In conjunction with the Association of Graphic Communications, some of our recent
programs and current projects include the following:

Train the Teacher: We are supporting public education by providing free training to
graphic arts teachers who bring their new knowledge of technology and best practices
back to their students and schools.

High school teachers that are using graphic arts with their students are given up-to-date
technology training in customized classes that are created especially for them. We offer a
series of professional development classes that are scheduled after school hours. Each
teacher learns by working on a computer and, in most cases, is provided with a state-of-
the-art reference book to take back to their school. They are taught by professionals
working in the field, so their knowledge of best practices and workflow brings added
value to the technical instruction. The education that teachers receive increases their
ability to effectively deliver classroom instruction.

In addition, knowledge about new technologies and workflows in the industry translates
into uplifting the knowledge base and practices of participating schools’ curricula,
counseling, after-school and job-readiness programs.

Our Train the Teacher project serves teachers, their students, their schools and their
communities. If you wish to participate or would like more information, please contact

Annual High School Design Competition:
Six teams of metro-area public high school students received significant recognition for their creative work on November 16, 2005 during a special educational awards ceremony at Graphic Communications Day, AGC’s major trade exposition held at NYC’s Pier 90.

Forty-three teams from 16 metro area schools (NYC, NJ and CT) entered the third Annual Graphic Arts Design Competition this year, up from the seven schools and 12 teams of the first competition in 2003. The Design Competition emphasizes the importance of education and teamwork in graphic arts and production.

Each team, mentored separately by professional executives from the advertising, publishing and graphic design communities, created posters for The Actors’ Fund through a collaborative partnership with AGC and the Education Foundation for the Graphic Arts. The Actor’s Fund, a 123-year old non-profit organization for members of the entertainment industry, will use the winning poster to promote its many programs and services.

Submissions by the 43 teams were judged by a second group of industry professionals from the same communities, along with executives from The Actors’ Fund and AGC. “Culling down the entries to only a few choices was particularly difficult, given the exceptional caliber of the work,” noted AGC Vice President for Education & Chief Learning Officer and Foundation Secretary, Diane Chavan. “All of the students who participated are extremely talented individuals and each is a ‘winner’ in our estimation.”

Receiving First Place Honor: Manhattan’s High School of Graphic Communication Arts.

The team’s winning poster will appear in advertising for The Actors’ Fund and at Broadway theaters. In addition to the public recognition, each student received a pair of VIP tickets to a Broadway show, “A Wonderful Life” and a pair of tickets to the opening day of the Newark Bears baseball team, where their winning poster will be projected on a screen at the ball park.

In addition to framed citations, each student received a copy of Adobe Creative Suite 2 software, free classes at AGC’s Center for Graphic Arts Education, a copy of AGC’s Buyers Guide—the ultimate resource for the graphic communications industry--a new book, “Getting It Right In Print: Digital Prepress for Graphic Designers” authored by Mark Gatter and released by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers, and a tee-shirt from the Rochester Institute of Technology. The High School for Graphic Communication Arts will receive a plaque of recognition, a copy of the Adobe Creative Suite 2 software, and a special visit from a working actor.

The second and third place winners, who also received the prizes mentioned above (except for the tickets) and framed citations, were:

Second Place: Flushing High School (Flushing, NY)
Third Place: Morris County School of Technology (Denville, NJ).

This year, the winners of AGC’s three special categories of awards were:

Judges’ Special Merit Award: Wayne Valley High School (Wayne, NJ).

Technical Excellence Award: Samuel Gompers Career & Technical High School (Bronx, NY).

Most Innovative Award: Bushwick High School (Brooklyn, NY).

Congratulating the award recipients were Joseph Benincasa, Executive Director, of The Actors’ Fund of America, Denis Jones, a seasoned Broadway performer who has appeared in “Grease” and “The Full Monty” and who is currently the Associate Choreographer of the smash hit, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, AGC President & CEO Susie Greenwood and Ms. Chavan.

The Annual Graphic Arts Design Competition establishes mentorships between design professionals and student teams from public high schools in the NY/NJ/CT metropolitan region. The ultimate goal of such mentoring is to provide support and feedback to the student teams and their advisors as they participate in the competition and offer guidance regarding their career aspirations.

For further information about the Competition, and information about next year’s event, contact

Annual Education Awards

This year marked a special event at Graphic Communications Day: the hosting of the annual Education Awards Ceremony. This event unites education with industry and celebrates educators, students and industry leaders who demonstrate their dedication, determination and commitment to lifelong learning.

Funds are raised throughout the year, and scholarships, certificates and awards are presented to outstanding students and contributors to the field of education. Twenty-one educators and students were acknowledged for their outstanding achievements this year.

Recipients of the scholarships were chosen from class participants who attended the Center for Graphic Arts Education’s seminars and workshops throughout the year and have demonstrated exceptional ability.

The Education Foundation’s goals are to provide and facilitate the highest quality of ongoing education and professional development for both the upcoming and current workforce in the graphic communications industry. In recognition of the their support and contributions to these goals, two industry professionals were recognized.

Ms. Melody Reed was given the Arthur Meyers Memorial Award for Outstanding Instructor. Ms. Reed serves on the faculty of AGC, City College of Technology, CUNY, and Pratt Institute. She also serves on the Education Committee at AGC.

Mr. Thomas Martinelli was presented with the Special Commitment to Education Award. Mr. Martinelli was the Past President of the Education Foundation and Past Chairman of AGC’s Education Committee, on which he still serves.

Mr. Thomas Saggiomo, President of Agfa’s Graphic System Group in North America delivered the keynote address, which addressed each sector of the audience and emphasized the importance of embracing change and living a life of active learning.