Youth Art Month: encouraging artistic expression

Youth Art Month is a yearly arts advocacy program that takes place throughout the entire month of March. Created by the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) in 1961, the event promotes art education and increases community understanding and interest in art through exhibits, workshops, and other creative ventures.

Youth Art Month has several goals:

• Recognize art education as a viable component in the education curricula
• Expand art programs in schools and provide additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in creative art learning
• Reflect and demonstrate the National Art Education Association’s goals that work toward the improvement of art education at all levels
• Direct attention to the value of art education for divergent and critical thinking

The signature event of the month is the flag design contest. The 2023 theme is Your Art, Your Voice. Each state selects a winning design that gets made into an actual flag, displayed in the CFAE YAM Showcase at the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Annual Convention. This year, the convention takes place in San Antonio, Texas.

Art helps children explore and express their thoughts and emotions in nonverbal ways, which can benefit them as they grow and mature. To learn more about Youth Art Month or how to get involved in your state, contact your Youth Art Month Chairperson or State Art Education Association.