As a NYSATA member, you and your students are encouraged to participate in Youth Art Month as a strong advocacy tool for your program! Using our new theme Art Connects Us there are many ways you can demonstrate the value of art education to your district and community at large. 

What is Youth Art Month?
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.

Started in 1961 by the ACMI (Art and Craft Materials Institute) in cooperation with the NAEA, the program is administered by the Council for Art Education (CAE) and focuses on the following eight goals:

1. To direct attention to the value of art education which develops divergent and critical thinking skills; multicultural awareness; and technical, communication, and expressive skills.
2. To increase community, business, and governmental support for art education.
3. To recognize that art is a necessity for the full development of better quality of life for all people.
4. To expand art programs in schools and stimulate new ones.
5. To increase community understanding and interest in art and art education through involvement in art exhibits, workshops, and other creative ventures.
6. To provide additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in creative art learning.
7. To encourage commitment to the arts by students, community organizations, and individuals everywhere.
8. To recognize art education as a viable component in the total education curricula that develops citizens of a global society.

Participating is Easy!
As an NYSATA member, you and your students are encouraged to participate in Youth Art Month as a strong advocacy tool for your program! Using our new theme, Art Connects Us, there are many ways you can demonstrate the value of art education to your district and community at large.

• Use our ideas posted here to plan your events.
• Submit artwork to the Youth Art Month Flagship Event, the Legislative Art Show, and attend the opening reception, if in person.
• Create an art celebration in your community.
• Plan your public relations announcements.
• Contact your local and state dignitaries for a proclamation to Proclame March as Youth Art Month. 
• Check our Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages for ideas and the latest news.
• Be sure to download and use our new YAM national logos.
• Attend our information session at the NYSATA Annual Conference!
• Send us documentation of your event using the forms.

 NYS Youth Art Month is excited to share we are the winners of the
Claire Flanagan Award for 2022

YAM Chairs will travel to NAEA in San Antonio Texas to receive the Award! 
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

NYSATA is thankful to BLICK, Royal Brush and GOLDEN Artist Colors for their sponsorship of the NYS Youth Art Month Flag design contest for 2023. BLICK, Royal Brush and GOLDEN contribute art supplies for the student winners and their art teacher's classroom. 

New York State Youth Art Month is excited to announce the 2023 Flag design winners. Over 300 submissions were received from all across the state. Submission designs came in from all age groups, and ranged from Kindergarten to twelfth grade.

Thank you to all of the students and teachers that submitted designs. The volume and quality of the 2023 submissions is truly a testament to the power of art in education and how students find their voice through visual representation. This year’s Youth Art Month theme, “Your Art, Your Voice”, resonated with so many students, and each student submitted their unique interpretation of the 2023 theme. 

 CLICK HERE for a complete list of winners

2023 YAM Color Rectangle Logo

YAM PR Templates and Proclamation

YAM 2023 Proclamation info for YAM

YAM 2023 How to Write a Press Release from CFAE

 2023 NYS Complete Planning Guide

 2023 NYS Complete FLAG Information

2023 YAM Overview from CFAE

50 YAM Quick Celebration Ideas from CFAE

YAM Social Media Links

Contact NYSATA YAM Coordinators 
Tracy Berges and Heather McCutcheon at 
[email protected]