2021 Theme is ART CONNECTS US

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 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.

• Submit Flag Designs for the New York State Flag by January 10, 2021
  
• 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.
• Create an art celebration in your community.
• Send us documentation of your event using the forms linked above.
• Attend our information session at the NYSATA Annual Conference!
• Plan your public relations announcements.
• 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.
• Contact your YAM State Co-Chairs Donnalyn Shuster or Heather McCutcheon

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. 

New York State Flag Design Contest 2021

New York State is lucky to have BLICK and GOLDEN Artist Colors as a sponsor of the NYS Youth Art Month Flag design contest for 2021. BLICK and GOLDEN contributes art supplies for the student winners and their teacher classrooms.  

2021 New York State Youth Art Month Flag design winners:

NYSATA IS A PROUD 12-YEAR OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF YOUTH ART MONTH

Thanks to the efforts, time and energy of our dedicated NYS art teachers we continue to maintain our art programs during challenging times in public education. You demonstrate to the community at large the long term value of strong art programs.  Thank you for giving us your Youth Art Month News  for inclusion in our New York State Report. There were so many great things going on for YAM this year.  Let's make 2021 New York State YAM celebration the biggest yet!! 

2018 Award of Excellence for Youth Art Month at the 2018 NAEA Convention in Boston! This marks the tenth consecutive year that New York has been the recipient of an award honoring NYS art educators who participate in YAM and share their information so that we may compile a report demonstrating growth and the positive impact of grass roots advocacy for the visual arts.

YAM Awards

New York State YAM Awards
Awarded Annually by CFAE at the National Art Education Association Convention

• 2020 Award of Excellence
• 2019 Award of Excellence
• 2018 Award of Excellence
• 2017 Award of Excellence
• 2016 Award of Merit
• 2015 Award of Merit
• 2014 Award of Merit
• 2013 Award of Merit
• 2012 Award of Excellence
• 2011 Outstanding New Promotion, Outstanding Program, Certificate of Commendation
  
  

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NAEA 2019 - Flag award winner &co-chairs        2017 YAM Awards at NAEA

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YAM Co-Chairs with the flag at NAEA 2013;  YAM Award Winners at NAEA 2012
Contact Us

Got questions? Contact YAM chairs
Donnalyn Shuster and Heather McCutcheon at [email protected]