MARCH is here and it’s time to celebrate YOUTH ART MONTH!

Art educators, please participate and send in your documentation as soon as possible!

This year’s state theme is Designers and Dreamers  for a Brighter Tomorrow.  If you can tie that into any of your activities, all the better.

All IAEA members are encouraged to participate in Youth Art Month and send documentation of their Youth Art Month activities, large or small, to the Youth Art Month Coordinators. (info to send documentation to is at bottom of the page) It is important to document ALL art events and activities that take place during/around Youth Art Month. All observances and documentation materials are collected into a formal binder that is submitted to the Council For Art Education (CFAE). This binder…

—Serves as evidence for Illinois participation

—Increases political awareness

—Is displayed at the NAEA conference with all other state binders

—Is judged for national participation awards

The purpose of Youth Art Month is to draw focus to art from students, parents, school administration, and communities. Art Educators continually play a major role in organizing different types of creative activities that celebrate Youth Art Month. Art educators have demonstrated their ingenuity and passion through such activities as student exhibitions, public artworks, and arts festivals. Now is the time for you to advocate for art in your school and community. If you are unsure of what types of activities might be successful please see the examples and YAM celebration ideas listed here and in the winter Mosaic.

Lead a celebration at your school, community, or learning environment!

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• -Display the Youth Art Month poster included in the winter Mosaic issue, along with student artwork.
• -Invite local artists to come to school and share their artwork and artmaking processes with students.
• -Ask your administrators and school board to endorse March as Youth Art Month (use the “YAM Endorsement” form); declare it in school-wide publications.
• -Host an afternoon or weekend student-led art-making festival for the community.
• -Partner with a local business or the local government to use student artwork for publicity purposes.
• -Contact local newspapers, radio stations, and television stations to cover your event!
• -Host a potluck breakfast before school for parents and students to recognize outstanding student artists in your school.
• -Create a bulletin board based on the state theme.
• -Get local businesses to support your efforts and keep track of who donates anything whether it’s money or time. We need to report who is supporting our programs.
• -Follow my YOUTH ART MONTH board on Pinterest to see even more ideas.
• -Be sure to check out these useful letters for your principal, Superintendent, and library services.

Youth Art Month Poster Winners 2013!

Congratulations to the following students for their artistic efforts in creating a “Designers and Dreamers for a Brighter Tomorrow” themed piece for the 2013 Illinois Youth Art Month flag! Winners were chosen based on scoring highest on a rubric with the following criteria: 1. Relevance to theme; 2. Skill of artwork in relation to age level/grade; 3. Aesthetic appeal.

Here are the winners…
“Self Portrait” by De’Shaun Harris, Grade 5
North Grove Elementary School, Laura Klein (student teacher), Nancy Long (teacher)

“My Dreams, Beliefs and Goals” by Thuy-An Nguyen, Grade 7
Still Middle School, Donna Davis (teacher)

“Self Portrait” by Braden Phillips, Grade 4
Fry Elementary School, Joan Mills (teacher)

“Happy Sunshine Funtime” by Amy Wilson, Grade 12
Yorkville High School, Christine Glenn (teacher)

“Rick Bayless Chef Going Green” by Leah Mowery, Grade 11
Carmel Catholic High School, Sheela Gladwell (teacher)

“Mayor Daley Rooftop Garden” by Kyle Govzowski, Grade 11
Carmel Catholic High School, Sheela Gladwell (teacher)

“Inheritance” by Jacob Felker, Grade 12
Yorkville High School, Christine Glenn (teacher)

“Heritage is What I Live By” by Sienna Laya, Grade 12
Yorkville High School, Christine Glenn (teacher)

“Self Portrait” by Joy Paschel, Grade 2
CICS Loomis Primary Academy, Stephanie Pieper (teacher)

“Do I Need What I Never Had” by Miranda Roe, Grade 12
Yorkville High School, Christine Glenn (teacher)

“John Cuneo Philanthropist” by Brooke Kamins, Grade 11
Carmel Catholic High School, Sheela Gladwell (teacher)

“Inner Skeleton Portrait” by Andrea Deleon, Grade 8
Westfield Middle School, Deyana Matt (teacher)

“Different is Good” by Robert Janik, Grade 2
Dryden Elementary School, Tricia Fuglestad (teacher)

“Art Smart” by Ben Goebig, Grade 3
Dryden Elementary School, Tricia Fuglestad (teacher)

Send Youth Art Month documentation via email to IllinoisYAM@gmail.com
or
Judy Krueger, IAEA Youth Art Month Chair
Johnsburg High School
2002 W Ringwood Road
Johnsburg, IL 60051