SchoolArts - March 2007

Youth Art Month

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Youth Art Month (YAM) is an annual observance each March

to emphasize the value of art education for all children and to

encourage support for quality school art programs. Established

in 1961, YAM provides a forum for acknowledging skills that are

not possible in other subjects. The Council for Art Education, a

sponsor of Youth Art Month, adopted the theme, “Start With

Art, Learn for Life.” Art education develops self-esteem, appre-

ciation of the work of others, self-expression, cooperation with

others, and critical thinking skills. All of these skills are vital to

the success of our future leaders—our children.

Participating in YAM

We hope you are participating in one of the most rewarding activities for art educators— YAM! During the month of March, you can hold observances of many kinds, in schools, libraries, stores and other places. Your celebration can include exhibits of children’s artwork, promotional tools such as buttons, posters, and bumper stickers, a proclamation from your mayor and local officials, a collection of quotes in support of art and art education from leading citizens and from young students on what art means to them, artwork in symphony programs, on billboards, restaurant placemats, in utilty customer flyers, and on supermarket bags. Whatever you do, be sure to submit photos and articles about all your events, newspaper, radio and television features, interviews, and other coverage of your observance to your state YAM Chairperson. This information should be submitted by the close of the school year to your state chairperson, who will document all these state observances to CFAE by mid-July. CFAE reviews these state observances and gives awards to the states submitting a record of their observances.

Support YAM

Thanks to generous contributions from donors, CFAE will raise awareness through national YAM observances, including the display of the YAM Flags at the 21st Annual National Flag Event and distribution of YAM information and display of the YAM state flags at several national conferences. These activities show federal and state legislators, education officials, businesses, community leaders, teachers and parents the importance of keeping visual art education funded and in the schools. In addition, contributions may be made separately to the 2007 “Sponsor a Flag Designer” Fund to send student flag designers from all over the U. S. to New York City for the Flag Event to receive recognition for their unique, artistic YAM flags. Please consider sponsoring a Flag Designer, so that they may be able to attend this very special event. You can also donate to the general fund, or provide an in-kind donation (art materials, services, etc.) to help make YAM a success. Your help makes a huge difference. For more information on making a donation, participating in a state observance, or to find out the name of your state chairperson, please contact: The Council for Art Education, Inc., P. O. Box 479, Hanson, MA 02341 or (781) 293-4100 or sarahs@acminet.org.