FOCUS IN

Handbuilt glazed sgraffito ceramic bowls by Ceramic l students Emmersyn B., grade ten (bottom right), Noel B., grade twelve (bottom left), and Anaiya T., grade ten (top right).

After more than sixty years and counting, Youth Art Month (YAM) keeps growing and shining! This year’s theme speaks to the power of art and will continue as “Art Connects Us.”

The nonprofit organization Council for Art Education nationally sponsors YAM, which focuses on one primary goal: To visually demonstrate to federal and state legislators, education officials, community leaders, teachers, and parents the importance of keeping quality art education funded and in K–12 schools, and provide a forum for acknowledging skills that are exclusively gained in, with, and through visual art.

Today, YAM celebrations take place across almost all fifty states with the help of YAM coordinators and visual art educators in each state. Local and statewide events take place through-out March in a variety of locations, including schools, libraries, art centers, museums, and even state capitol buildings, serving to focus attention on the value of art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs. As the program continues to expand, events include creative solutions like a Postcard Art Exchange and “Ear Saving” mask-making.

Kaitlin H., acrylic on Polaroid, grade eleven.

Kristina A., grade ten. 

As part of the annual YAM event, students at every grade level in each state have the opportunity to design artwork for a flag or banner in support of the annual theme. One design from each state is selected to be made into a flag or banner using the student’s winning artwork. Winning flags and banners from all states are featured in the YAM Museum at the National Art Education Association convention.

Students and teachers can also advocate at the local level through a variety of activities. In addition to art exhibits and school events, local YAM coordinators obtain proclamations from local elected and school officials. Students can also help create promotional materials such a buttons, posters, bumper stickers, flyers, or signs.

The annual observance of YAM began in 1961 when the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) created the Children’s Art Month event as a way to emphasize the value of visual art education. In 1969, when the celebration expanded to include secondary school students, the event officially became recognized as Youth Art Month. Today, the Council for Art Education manages YAM through the generous support of ACMI.

YAM chairpersons, knowing the impact of the program, were quick to adjust because of the COVID-19 pandemic. One teacher held a drive-by YAM art show outside of her school’s gym. With many buildings closed and events being canceled, social media again proved to be a powerful connection with hashtag shows, Instagram stories, drive-by exhibits, and pop up galleries providing safe ways to see the art. Video “walk-through” art show tours made it possible for families who couldnʼt travel to the site, from as far away as India, to view students’ work. Unfortunately, this year will again test our capabilities and versatility.

If you would like to get involved in YAM, or want to encourage and expand student participation in annual YAM activities, contact the chairperson in your state. Information is also available at councilforarteducation.org.