FOCUS IN

Hailey R., grade twelve.

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 for all as “Your Art, Your Voice.”

Our Mission
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 in K–12 schools, and provide a forum for acknowledging skills that are exclusively gained in, with, and through visual art.

Art for All
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 throughout 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 programs. As the program continues to expand and in-person exhibits return, YAM celebrations like Art Walk on Main Street in Fauquier County, Virginia, bring back the joy and excitement of Youth Art to local communities.

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 as buttons, posters, bumper stickers, flyers, or signs.

Beginnings
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.

Get Involved
After a challenging few years from the pandemic, we are excited to bring back this historical event with the support of state YAM coordinators and art educators. States such as Wisconsin, Kansas, and Alabama reported significant increases in YAM participants and exhibit visits. The state of New York connected the State Education Department with the New York State Union of Teachers and collaborated for YAM support.

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. Find more information at councilforarteducation.org.