The purpose of the Graduate Research in Art Education (GRAE) conference is to provide a forum for students from Penn State, Ohio State, and Teachers College to discuss issues and developments in art education that are being opened up by current graduate student research. Since 2005, the GRAE conference takes place each fall semester in a rotation at one of the participating institutions. 

AAEP has hosted the Graduate Research in Art Education conference in 2025, 2019, 2015, and 2012. A complete archive of GRAE conference programs and presentations is maintained by Penn State University.