Youth Art Month is celebrated in March every year. This month is set aside to celebrate and promote arts and arts education across the country. The month is specifically for the visual arts, and as the name suggests, is geared toward children of all ages. Youth Art Month came together to emphasize the importance of visual arts for children. Thousands of schools, art educators, and children across age groups participate in activities around Youth Art Month. They often work with local art museums and organizations, and frequently receive support from local Governors and Mayors.
History of Youth Art Month
Youth Art Month is celebrated in March every year. This month is an important event that celebrates all things related to the arts and arts education for kids and has been celebrated across the country since 1961.
Several events are organized leading up to and during Youth Art Month, and thousands of schools, educators, and students participate. All these events are meant for children across age groups.
The Council for Art Education, Inc administers Youth Art Month. The organization was set up by the Art and Creative Materials Institute Inc., to organize and promote Youth Art Month.
The month is set aside to promote art education because art is an important tool as a means of expression for children of all ages. Art helps children explore their thoughts and emotions, and translate them into something creative. Children become more self-aware, communicate better, and have an improved sense of self-esteem and well-being when they practice the arts.
The programs under the banner of Youth Art Month are intended to recognize all the skills that children develop by practicing the arts including creativity, communication, and problem-solving.
The primary event of Youth Art Month is a national student flag and banner contest where K-12 students are encouraged to design a flag for their state. The winning design is made into an actual flag and is displayed along with 50 entries to the contest in Washington D.C.
Youth Art Month timeline
The Art and Creative Material Institute Inc. establishes Children’s Art Month along with the National Art Education Association.
The A.C.M.I. renames Children’s Art Month to Youth Art Month to include students in secondary school as well.
The Art and Creative Material Institute Inc. sets up the Council for Art Education to administer and promote Youth Art Month.
The C.F.A.E. has representatives from the A.C.M.I., the National Art Education Association, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, and a group of art material manufacturers called SHIP.
Youth Art Month FAQs
What skills does art develop?
Arts develop many skills in kids, from creativity and self-expression to improved self-esteem, emotional regulation, confidence, problem-solving, and empathy.
How does art help at-risk youth?
At-risk youth develop a greater sense of autonomy and self-confidence with art. They also gain a sense of purpose, emotional resilience, and improved self-image.
How do the arts affect student learning?
Through the arts, students learn how to think creatively, how to solve problems, and how to approach issues in different ways, improving their ability to learn and understand.
Youth Art Month Activities
Organize a program
One of the best ways to celebrate Youth Art Month is to work with schools and arts educators to organize a program. Work with the concerned authorities to get kids to design flags for the flag and banner contest.
Set up an exhibit
Get arts educators and community leaders involved to set up an exhibit of art made by young people. Try and reach out to the youths at risk in your community for a special exhibition of how art can be transformative.
Promote the celebrations
Make posters, send out messages, and get all the kids in your community informed about Youth Art Month. This way you can get everyone participating in the event.
5 Facts About Youth Art Month That You Probably Didn’t Know
The contest has a name
The flag and banner contest is called ‘School Flags Across America…Flying High.’
The flag contest has a theme
The Chairperson for Youth Art Month usually picks a theme for every iteration of the Youth Art Month flag and banner contest.
There are special events
Since the celebrations last a month, special events such as community beautification programs, ice sculptures, and sidewalk chalk drawing competitions are organized.
Fundraisers are organized
Since the aim of Youth Art Month is to increase arts education and support arts programs in schools, fundraisers are organized to support improvements in arts education.
There’s an annual convention
The winning entries in the flag and banner contest are displayed at the National Art Education Convention in March.
Why We Love Youth Art Month
We love being creative
We love the visual arts and everything that we can express through design. We think Youth Art Month is an opportunity to express our love for the arts.
We want more kids in the arts
Artistic expression has a great impact on children. We want more kids to benefit from arts and arts education. Youth Art Month is an opportunity to bring art to kids who don’t have access to it.
We want to support arts education
Art helps children and adults alike in many ways, from therapy to self-expression. We want to ensure that everyone can access the arts as early as possible by supporting arts education.
Youth Art Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 1 | Saturday |
| 2026 | March 1 | Sunday |
| 2027 | March 1 | Monday |
| 2028 | March 1 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | March 1 | Thursday |
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