Happy YAM!! (Youth Art Month!)

Happy Youth Art Month, and best of luck on your YAM events!  

Remember to share all the great things you are doing with your state organization.  If you are from NY, you can share on our NYSATA YAM Facebook page and Twitter.  We look forward to seeing what you are doing in your school and community, to advocate for the Visual Arts! 

And, THANK YOU for your time and efforts!

Here's some resources: 
https://www.nysata.org/youth-art-month
Twitter: @youthartmonthNY
Instagram: yam_newyork
Pinterest site:

YAM is on our doorsteps!!!

Here's an armload of terrific ideas for you, as we head toward the beginning of Youth Art Month in just a few days!!  I apologize for being a few days late getting this posted for you, but hopefully the ideas are worth waiting for!

1
How about a BLACK LIGHT art show?  Use fluorescent paint to really light up the end of the month of February.  Need details?   Check with Jennifer Impey at Edwards-Knox Central School, who has held several successful shows!  You can find plenty of ideas at her blog Art Room 104.

2
Check out, too, Art Spirit Week ideas for YAM, with a color or theme each day of the week.  It is great at the elementary level, but there's no reason MS/HS kids cannot get involved too!

 

3
Don't forget #Make Art Monday ideas, too!  Use blank templates and have students work on-the-spot to share on social media.  Good, fast lesson, that even the staff can participate in as well!

4
Suffern High School (in NY state) - art teacher Tracy Berges has an amazing number of YAM events happening with her students and the National Art Honor Society members!   

Follow her on Twitter at bergesSHart for inspiring event ideas!

5
Make prints of student artwork, frame, and present to local officials.  Walmart or Walgreens make cost-efficient 5x7's or 8 x 10's.  Use these for photo ops for YAM during our first week in March.

BONUS FIVE!  I missed posting these terrific ideas last week (and anyhow, you were probably on vacation), so here's a bonus 'Fab Five' for you!

1
Start to hang student work of the week in the principal's office/main office area of your building, and in the administrative offices (superintendent etc).  Add in the New Visual Art Standards, your Essential Question, and student reflection for a reminder of the importance of the art program to the school curriculum that cannot be ignored!
2
Be sure your Media Advisories are out this week for any show in March, and make sure that info is also up on your school website and community calendars at your local TV and radio stations.
3
 Check in with local dignitaries that you requested Proclamations from, to be sure they will be ready for you to use!
4
Every small town has a local diner or coffee shop.  Design some YAM placemats or do a series of coffee cup themed works of art to hang up.  Better yet, create some ceramic mugs to auction or raffle off!  Teaching a Computer Graphics or Advertising Design class? Offer to create a new business logo and related items for the place.  Coordinate with the owner and perhaps have customers vote on new design.  A perfect way to integrate business opportunities in real life settings for you students.
5
Any local manufacturing companies?  Have students do illustrations of products made, and teaming with the company.  Have them matted and hung in office or reception areas!  (This project was done with the Union, Fork & Hoe Company, who make shovels, hoes, and rakes in Frankfort, NY).  Interested in details?  Contact Donnalyn Shuster, spring78dl@gmail.com.  

That's it for today!  Have a wonderful kickoff to  

YOUTH ART MONTH!!!!!!

Art Advocacy Ideas for winter days!

Long winter days need some special events built in to move them along.  This week's ideas lend themselves perfectly to classroom curriculum, build the concept of teamwork and planning, and can become great advocacy PR pieces for the local newspaper.  The old saying "You have to be a hero in your community first" is so true in art advocacy!

1

Valentine's Day excitement have you feeling blue rather than red?  Create a school-wide UNITY event based on the work of Jim Dine and his Hearts series in multiple media for K-5.  Tie right in with PE, as many schools celebrate Heart Month with different event challenges.  Dovetail with classroom teachers talking about the need for good nutrition and organize a healthy snack day for all.  Need ideas?  Check out Pinterest under Jim Dine for exciting lessons.
 
2
 Hungry for more?  Older students (grades 6-12) can do the Empty Bowls project and join forces with community food banks in raising money.  Tie in a nutrition study with Family and Consumer Science classes and have local grocery stores donate dried soup ingredients to package up in Ziploc bags to be auctioned off with bowls (if you cannot do the actual meal event).  More info at: 
http://www.emptybowls.net/about

3
Partner with neighboring school districts and set up a traveling art show of 5-6 pieces that move from school to school.  Great way to collaborate for the arts, and showcase not only your students, but those in your area.

4
Plan a statewide postcard exchange with another school, or create artist trading cards to swap.  Consider too... a postcard campaign to state legislators about the value of art education.  Perfect way to use our this year's YAM theme of Take a Journey Through Art! 

Five Fabulous February Advocacy Events!

Happy Second Semester!  February is a short month, full month of holidays and quite often, School Spirit Weeks.  Take advantage of all that extra buzz and channel it into some  YAM-worthy events that will help build a sense of unity and community in your buildings!  These 5 events are from Babylon High School, that were submitted last year, by Cheryl Schweider, for the Annual YAM Report.

1
Upcycled Bas Relief Panther - Our school mascot is the panther; YOU can use  YOUR mascot!  The art students created a bas relief of the panther with papier-mache and then had other students glue on discarded keyboard keys and mouses.  This was done during art week during the lunch periods.  About 50 students participated in this.  (School Unity - re-purposing discarded items).

2
"Be Like Brit" - similar to the Memory Project, our students created 66 portraits for children living in the "Be Like Brit" house in Haiti.  This was done in conjunction with our French National Honor Society who held a teacher/student talent show to raise money for this house.  We decided to create the portraits for the 66 residents (33 girls and 33 boys).  (Community Service/Social Justice)

3
"Adopt Me" pet painting portraits - About 25 of our students and some teachers participated in a pet painting workshop for a local animal shelter.  Each student paid to participate and the money was donated to the shelter.  The paintings are hanging on the cages of the animals and will go home with the animals once they are adopted.  (Community Service)

4
 Paint by number sunflowers - From an original photo, we uploaded it to PUNIFY where it was converted to a paint-by-number and put onto a large canvas.  During the lunch periods, during art week, about 50 students participated in the painting of it.  (Community building within the school)

5
Using food theme, combined with a study of Andy Warhol, do a community service canned soup food drive.  Introduce Andy's Soup Can series and a theme of "You CAN make a difference". Make a sculptural installation of the soup can donations (in a safe area of course), give recognition for those who contribute, and help stock up the local food pantry at a time of the year when things may be scarce.  Involve your Art Club, Honor Society, Student Council, Class Challenge, or K-Kids (Kiwanis organization for younger students).

Here's your weekly Fab Five YAM ideas!

Here are some Fab Five Ideas for the second week of the New Year!  Work those community connections...

1
Approach area medical offices/facilities about displaying student work in their waiting rooms etc.  Most will be thrilled to have their space used for a gallery.  Be sure to acknowledge them with a thank you letter, or arrange for the local media to do some photos.  Art and the healing arts are a natural combination.

2
Invite parents of art students, who own local businesses, to hang student art work at their place of business.  Create a sign that says "XYZ Supports Youth Art Month!"  Promote on social media and local print media.

3
Have students design placemats and table tents that can be used by local restaurants.

4
Got empty storefronts?  See if you can display student artwork in the windows.  Hold a community vote for their favorite piece.

5
Approach your village, town, or city hall, or county offices to see if you can display artwork there.  While you are inquiring, ask for a proclamation or endorsement of YAM!  (See the how-to's at https://www.nysata.org/youth-art-month.   Small town politicians especially love this kind of attention!

Back at it, with Weekly YAM Ideas!

It's been a while since there's been a new post here at at The Artful Advocate, but its time to get your advocacy back in gear.  Beat the winter blues and kick off the new decade with these fabulous ideas for YAM (Youth Art Month).  Start now and build momentum for March 1st!  Participating in YAM is an excellent way to advocate for your art program!

1
Make an in-house video on what art means. Have student releases signed, and have 'interviewers', volunteers to speak, and videographers.  Edit and play in-house, or on your district web/Facebook page.  Students can use a prop titled "What Art Means to Me" and write their responses to hold up.  Great idea for all classes/Art Club/NAHS/or interdepartmental work.

2
Use props from #1 and post daily to Twitter.

3
And for another take on this idea - Why Does Art Matter? - Students complete postcards on the theme of why it matters to them.  Display on hallway bulletin board.  This would be a great way to get faculty and staff to chime in too!  Think of it as a way to get some fresh ideas out there for the New Year!

4
Kick off a new Art History unit with walking paintings... cardboard with a face cut out from a famous work of art.  Students complete the large scale pieces - offer as a photo booth idea in March during YAM as a fund raiser for a targeted need!

5
Share all these out on social media with the hashtag #nysYAM20!

Get Ready for March YAM Kickoff Week!

Youth Art Month is officially just a couple of days away!  

Here's some great ideas for you to use.

1
Make prints of student artwork, frame and present to local officials.  Walmart or Walgreens make cost efficient 5x7's or 8x10's.  Use this as a photo op for YAM during the first week in March.
2
Ask your BOE for an endorsement of Youth Art Month.
3
School-wide mural project with a theme of Collaboration/Unity.  Everyone creates a panel to add.  Or use the Post-it Challenge.  Plan colors of Post-it Notes to spell out school mascot or school's initials.
4
Hold a 10x10 (or 12x12) art challenge for students and staff using any media.  Install in school foyer.
5
In cold climates, have a YAM Snow Sculpture Challenge!  Bundle up and brave the cold to create a temporary sculptural piece.  Compete in teams or classes.  In warmer climates, go outside and create Andy Goldsworthy temporary installations. Photograph and enlarge to display indoors.

And don't forget...

6
Make Art Monday - every Monday in March - share what you are doing in your classroom/school/community for the visual arts.  Use the hashtag #MakeArtMonday and share on Facebook, at the YAM NYS page (or, if you're in another state, that state's YAM page), or on Twitter!

Art Advocacy Mid-Winter Break Ideas!

Is this a vacation week for you?  Rest and recharge, as Youth Art Month is less than two weeks away.  If you cannot get away for a vacation, plan how you can use some of these virtual art trips, for your students to experience artwork from both around the world, and close to home. 
1
Visit an online museum or build your own collection of artworks.  (Art Institute of Chicago has a build-your-own collection feature.)
2
Arrange an Artist in Residence Program during March, by inviting in local community artists to demonstrate and/or talk to students.  Are there local museums nearby?  Set up a visit, and if area artists have work present, try to arrange it so that they can be present to discuss their work with your students. 

How about another Art Advocacy 'Fab Five'?

YES!  Here's another set of five great ideas for you, and a bonus, too!

1
Plan a statewide postcard exchange with another school, or create artist trading cards to swap.  Consider too... a postcard campaign to state legislators about the value of art education, and combine that with a lesson on the First Amendment!
2
Have students design placemats and table tents that can be used by local restaurants.  Challenge older students in Graphic Design classes to choose an area establishment in need of a 'makeover' and design a new logo/menu/etc.  Invite the owners and any contacts you have in advertising, to choose the strongest design and discuss importance of branding to create market awareness. 
3
Start to hang student work of the week in the principal's office/main office area of your building, and in the administrative offices (superintendent, etc).  Add in the NEW Visual Art Standards, your Essential Question and student reflection, for a reminder of the importance of the art program to the school curriculum that cannot be ignored. 
4
Planning a YAM show?  Select an 'honorary  chairperson' from local, well-known artists or 'local celebrities' who support the arts.  Give them an honorary certificate and invite them to your show opening. 
5
Be sure your Media Advisories are out this week for any show in March, and that info is up on you school website, and community calendars at your local TV and radio stations.

BONUS IDEA!
Approach local doctor's offices and medical facilities to hang student artwork in waiting rooms and public areas.  Many are more than happy to give you space, and welcome student work as a point of conversation for staff and patients!

Art Advocacy Fab Five - January 28 - February 1

2019 is one month old!  Here are some ways to liven up February as we move closer to Youth Art Month.  Many high schools have a Senior Night/Spirit Week during this time, and there are some GREAT ideas here guaranteed to energize the celebrations!

1
Do a Stop, Drop & Draw - everyone in the school - for 15 minutes.  Then have entire school (and staff) display their work!
2
Hold a 'So You Think You Can Draw' challenge - do this by grade level/class challenge/faculty and staff challenge.
3
Invite local artists to YAM openings.  Make them honorary chairpersons.  Line these folks up now!
4
If your community has an electronic billboard for community events, see if they can scan in a piece of student work to promote YAM as it approaches, or to promote one of the school-wide events listed here.
5
Create a famous cut-out of a work of art (ex: The Scream or Mona Lisa).  Have photos taken of kids  for $1, and donate proceeds to a local charity.  Be sure the cut-out has the YAM logo on it!  Or create a large scale cut-out of your school mascot to try this at sporting events!  Better yet, bring it out into the community!

Second semester is starting!  Plan now how you will be celebrating Make Art Monday and involve students in the brainstorming!

A Couple of Art Advocacy Mid-Winter Break Ideas!

It is vacation week for many, or at least a long weekend for most!  Rest and recharge, as Youth Art month is less than two weeks away.  If you cannot get away for a vacation, use some of these virtual art trips for your students to experience artwork from around the world, and some from home. 

1
Visit an online museum or build your own online collection of artworks.  (Art Institute of Chicago has a  build your own collection feature.)

2
Hold an Artist in Residence Program during March - invite in local community artists to demonstrate and/or talk to students.  Do you have local museums nearby?  Set up a visit, and if area artists have work exhibited, try to arrange it so that they can be present to discuss the work with your students.

Art Advocacy Fab Five for January 8-12!

It's never too early to get started on your March YAM plans, and these are guaranteed success stories ready for you to use in your school!

1  Make prints of student  artwork, frame and present to local officials.  Places like Walmart and Walgreen's make cost-efficient 5x7's or 8x10's.  Use this as a photo op for YAM during the first week in March.

2  Ask your BOE for an endorsement of Youth Art Month.

3  School-wide mural project - Collaboration/Unity theme.  Everyone creates a panel to add.  Or use the Post-It Challenge. Plan colors of Post-It notes to spell out school mascot or initials. 

4  10x10 (or 12x12) art challenge for students and staff using any media.  Install in school foyer. 

5  In cold climates - YAM Snow Sculpture Challenge!  Bundle up and brave the cold to create a temporary sculptural piece!  Compete in teams or classes!  In warmer climates, go outside and create Any Goldsworthy temporary installations; photograph and enlarge to display indoors. 

And don't forget....

6  Make Art Monday - every Monday in March, share what you are doing in you classroom/school/community for the visual arts.  Use the hashtag #MakeArtMonday and share on Facebook, at our YAM NYS page, or on Twitter!

Cure the Winter Blues with an Artful Advocate Fab Five!

Here's a sure cure for Cabin Fever from this past week's bitterly cold temps and snow, especially for those not able to get away to a warm place for break!  Beat the  mid-winter blues with these 'Fab Five' ideas as a prep for YAM.  Start now, and build momentum for March 21st!

1  Organize an Urban Sketching event in your community for students - particularly good to tie-in with a study of local history.  Think about a historic place - with indoor space to sketch.  Or, do it virtually, with Google Street view on a Smart Board, if you cannot travel!

2  Make an in-house video of what art means.  Have student releases signed, and have 'interviewers', volunteers to speak, and 'videographers'.  Edit and play in-house or on your district web/Facebook page.  Students can use a prop titled "What Art Means to Me" and write their responses to hold up.

3  Use props from #2 and post daily to Twitter. 

4  Challenge students to create an Art Rap - lyrics and choreography to create a video.  Show them all on a Friday afternoon, with popcorn for all!

5  Have students make mini-sketchbooks and do a drawing challenge.  Involve the staff, too!

Bonus Idea!

6  Create 'walking paintings' - cardboard with a face cut out from a famous work of art.    

Thanks to frequent contributor to The Artful Advocate, Donnalyn Schuster, for providing this week's  'Fab Five' post!

Movies as Advocacy, for Youth Art Month and beyond!

It's Youth Art Month!  Showcase all of the great things you are doing for Youth Art Month in your classroom or district, while advocating for your program through a video.  It does not have to be a long video or take you three weeks to put together.  

Here are some tips to create a great movie in no time at all!

• Take a lot of photos and some sort video clips.  
• This can be on your phone, ipad, or video camera.  
• Upload the photos and video clips to your computer.
• Open your favorite movie-making program.  
• My favorites are iMovie and Adobe Spark.
• iMovie is on Apple products only, but can be used on any device.
• Adobe Spark is a free internet-based program
• Both programs are easy to use.
• Once you have chosen a program, import the photographs and video clips.  
• Drop them where you would like them.
• You can add text and music if you'd like.  
• Export and SHARE. 
• Share your videos with us! @youthartmonthNY on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Ideas for your movie:

• YAM in your school
• How students feel about the Arts and why they are important.
• Why is YAM important?
• Ask students, teachers, and administrators.
• YAM in the Community
• Students working..  They are the reason for YAM!
• Special projects and ideas in celebration of  YAM.
• YAM in your community.  How the community or schools partner together to support YAM.

 Today's blog post is written by blog contributor Heather McCutcheon.   Heather has submitted articles for Artful Advocate blog posts before.  Thanks, Heather, for another great contribution!

Another Fab Five, just in time for Youth Art Month!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1!  Here we are, standing on the doorstep of Youth Art Month!!  Are you stressed over time?  Still need some last minute project and event ideas for elementary students?  Why not jump right in with these 5 super ideas:

1 NYSATA  Youth Art Month Bookmark lesson -
Perfect for elementary school students to distribute in your building and at the local library.

2 Create book art sculptures (handmade books or recycled folded books) for a library display.  Perfect for older students.

3 Ask your students to write a short statement about why art is important to them... and have them read these statements daily, during morning announcements.

4 Read a story about an artist each day (choose one that's grade appropriate).  Example: Action Jackson, Linnea in Monet's Garden, When Pigasso Met Mootise, Ish, The Dot, The Boy Who Drew Birds, Uncle Andy's, etc.  Hook literature right in with the art skills, concepts, or media you are currently working on.  It is a perfect way to meet Common Core Reading standards in your classroom, and remember, discussing works of art on view can count as visual text.

5 Make a giant March is Youth Art Month banner to hang in the lobby; have students and staff sign it.  Hang student work all around it. 

Art Advocacy Fabulous 5, and a Bonus!

Here's this week's 'Fabulous Five'!

1  Plan a statewide postcard exchange with another school, or create artist trading cards to swap.  Consider too ... a postcard campaign to state legislators about the value of art education, and combine that with a lesson on the First Amendment.

2  Student-designed placemats and table tents can be used by local restaurants.  Challenge older students in Graphic Design to choose an area establishment in need of a 'makeover' and design a new logo/menu/etc.  Invite the owners, and any contacts you have in advertising, to choose the strongest design and discuss importance of branding to create market awareness. 

3  Start to hang student work of the week in the principal's office/main office area of your building and in the administrative offices (superintendent, etc).  Add in the Standards, your Essential Question and student reflection, for a reminder of the importance of the art program to the school curriculum that cannot be ignored!

4  Planning a YAM show?  Select an 'honorary chairperson' from local, well-known artists, or 'local celebrities' who support the arts.  Give them an honorary certificate and invite them to your show opening. 

5  Be sure your Media Advisories are out this week for any show in March - and that info is up on your school website, and community calendars at your local TV and radio stations.

 🙌  Bonus Idea!
Approach local doctor's offices and medical facilities to hang student artwork in waiting rooms and public areas.  Many are more than happy to give your space and welcome student work as a point of conversation for staff and patients!
*Perhaps your students can even do artwork that relates to the area where it is being displayed.  For example, I have a project that I do with my students that uses toothpaste as a resist for batik.  What if I asked the dentist for a donation of toothpaste samples, and then displayed the finished work in her office?  What a fun idea!

Weekly Artful Advocacy 'Fabulous Five' - #2

2017 is one month old.  Here are this week's 'Fabulous Five' - five terrific ideas to liven up February, as we move closer to Youth Art Month.  Many high schools have a Senior Night/Spirit Week during this time, and some of the great ideas listed here could be used as a guaranteed way to energize the celebrations!  Or if there's no Spirit Week or Senior Night, use ideas #1 & #2 to enliven an otherwise ordinary week of school.

• 1) Do a Stop Drop & Draw - everyone in the school - for 15 minutes.  Entire school (and staff) display their work! 

• 2) So You Think You Can Draw Challenge - do this by grade level/class challenge/faculty and staff challenge.

• 3) Invite local artists to YAM openings - make them honorary chairpersons.  (Line these folks up now!)

• 4) If your community has an electronic billboard for community events, see if they can scan in a piece of student artwork to promote YAM as it approaches, or to promote one of the school-wide arts events listed here.

•  5) Create a famous cutout of a work of art (the Mona Lisa, The Scream, or American Gothic perhaps).   Have photos taken of kids in the cutout for $1, and donate proceeds to a local charity.  Be sure the cutout has the YAM logo on it!  You can do this at school events.  Better yet, bring it out into the community!! (Here's a pic of me taken in one such Scream cutout at a school art show a couple of years ago.)