Why Promote Art Education and What Is Youth Art Month?
- Why Promote Art Education?
- What is the Council for Art Education, Inc.?
- New: How can you contact state art education associations?
- How Can YOU Support Youth Art Month?
- How can you contribute?
- What is Youth Art Month?
- New: What's New for Youth Art Month in 2008?
- How Do I Get Involved in Youth Art Month in My Community?
- New: How can you contact your state YAM Chair(s)?
- Art education does a lot of great things.
Art education develops self-esteem, appreciation of the work of others, self-expression, cooperation with others, and critical thinking skills, skills vital to the success of our future leaders --- our children.
In "The Nation and the Arts," a Presidential briefing paper prepared by the Independent Committee on Arts Policy, it was stated:
"Well-developed programs of making and studying art serve many functions. They help students better articulate their perceptions and shape coherent responses to their experiences. When children learn to appreciate form and color...when they learn the importance of fashioning their own images of the world around them, they achieve greater discipline and self confidence. Further, the arts have extrinsic public value as they are increasingly important to this nation's economy."
"Too often, the value of participation in the arts is underestimated. The arts enrich our lives and enrich our learning. And the arts are a valuable learning tool that reinforces the other disciplines, like reading, writing, social studies, even science and math." --- New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman
"Youth Art Month gives art programs a chance to shine and put forth an extra effort to get their message heard. Without YAM, I know many programs would just die out, and I know I would not be getting the chance to teach 600 students a week that art is a part of all of our lives." --- Malisa Clarkson, West Virginia Youth Art Month Chairperson
What is the Council for Art Education, Inc.?
The Council for Art Education, Inc. (CFAE), a 501(c)(3) exempt organization, is the sponsor of Youth Art Month. CFAE was established in the early 1980's by ACMI, the founder of Youth Art Month, to continue and increase financial support for Youth Art Month. A number of trade and professional organizations, as well as individual corporations, are active participants in and supporters of CFAE and Youth Art Month. CFAE runs Youth Art Month at the national level and supports state and local programs. Each year, a national student flag design program is held, and the completed flags are flown in Washington, DC during March. Funding permitting, an opening ceremony to recognize the student designers is held in our nation's capital, and families, teachers, and U.S. legislators participate. In 2007, the Flag Event Ceremony was held in New York City in conjunction with the Convention of the National Art Educators Association.
CFAE also sponsors a national awards program to honor outstanding Youth Art Month state observances.
Additionally, CFAE promotes Youth Art Month and art education to the public. Information on Youth Art Month has appeared in a wide variety of publications, including the U.S. Department of Education's Goals 2000 Community Update, PTA Today, and Profitable Craft Merchandising. CFAE fills hundreds of information requests each year, and it distributes thousands of informational booklets at educational and other conferences.
"Greetings to everyone celebrating Youth Art Month... Through study and appreciation of the arts, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and of society. For children, the arts are an invitation to cultivate the skill of critical thinking and to recognize the bonds that link the diverse cultures of the world. American arts education enlivens our schools, opening children's minds and awakening their senses to the human experience." --- President William Clinton
"Art is something one can use to search for the creative part of yourself. It has made me think a lot about what I can do." --- High School Student from Oklahoma
How Can YOU Support Youth Art Month?
The Council is seeking tax-deductible contributions from foundations, corporations, individuals - all who have an interest in promoting and supporting art and quality art education. Several levels of contributions have been established as follows:
Partner $10,000 Patron $ 5,000 Sponsor $ 2,500 Friend $ 1,000
Each of these categories entitles the donor to a certain level of recognition in the Council's publications, at various events, in press releases, and so on. Detailed information on recognition is available from the Council.
We hope you will make a world of difference by supporting the Council and Youth Art Month - It's important to your future!
To view information on helping to fund 2008 YAM activities, click here.
To view information on helping to sponsor a student flag designer's trip to Washington, DC for the 2008 YAM Flag Event Ceremony, click here.
To join other art material manufacturers in a Special Promotion for art educators at the Convention of the National Art Educators Association, sponsored by the Council and the Art and Creative Materials Institute, click here.
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"Youth Art Month represents more than a forum in which our children acquire new skills and experiences in the visual arts. In a broad sense, this important event which helps prepare them for a lifelong appreciation for, and understanding of, the creative process. Self-expression leads to gains in self-esteem. Opportunities for creative exploration and experimentation in the visual arts help develop general problem-solving skills... Perhaps the most significant [benefit]..., however, is that children simply get to experience the excitement of being creative." --- Jeffry Lapin, F&W Publications
Youth Art Month 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.
Youth Art Month was created in 1961 by ACMI, a non-profit association of art and craft materials manufacturers, in cooperation with the NAEA. In 1984, ACMI created CFAE to administer the national Youth Art Month program and encourage funding for the program. Current members of the Council include: ACMI, which provides all administrative support and the majority of funding for national Youth Art Month; NAEA, whose members carry out local Youth Art Month activities and whose state affiliates help fund state Youth Art Month programs; The SHIP, a group of art materials exhibitors at the annual NAEA Convention; and the General Federation of Women's Clubs, a volunteer women's organization dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service. Other involved organizations include the Association of Crafts & Creative Industries, Hobby Industries Association, and National Art Materials Trade Association.
How Do I Get Involved in Youth Art Month in My Community?
Anyone can start an observance. In most states and local areas, art educators organize observances and seek the support and help of others in their schools and community, including businesspeople, other art teachers, parents, librarians, youth organization leaders, and others who have a genuine concern for quality art programs and who are willing to work with others in the school system or community.
To find out what is happening in your state, contact your state's Chairperson. To obtain the name and address of your state YAM Chairperson, contact the Council for Art Education. You could also call the art departments of schools in your area to see if they already have events planned for Youth Art Month and to see how you can help. Or, if you have an idea for an event, let them know your ideas.
Art education does a lot of great things.
Yet, art education is often wrongly considered a "fringe" program. In reality, it provides students skills they will need as adults. Art education develops self-esteem and self expression, as well as appreciation for the work of others. It also develops critical thinking skills that will be important as children continue their education and as they enter the working world. Our fast-changing environment will require that future leaders - today's children - be creative and imaginative in problem-solving. These skills are learned best by students involved in art.
We can make a world of difference for our children by keeping art in schools. Support art and art education!
To obtain a free booklet of ideas on celebrating Youth Art Month, complete the form below or write, call, fax or e-mail to:
Sarah M. Balkam
National Youth Art Month Specialist
The Council for Art Education, Inc.
Mail: P. O. Box 479Delivery: 1280 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Hanson, MA 02341-0479
Telephone 781-293-4100
Fax 781-294-0808e-mail sarahs@acminet.org
