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!!!!!!

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 'Fab Four' - January 22-25, 2019

It's a short week (and even shorter because I'm posting this a day late), but anyhow, here's 4 great ideas that, if you want, you can use to move you closer to Youth Art Month!

1
Create a virtual art gallery for your school website.
2
Love the work of George Rodrigue and his "Blue Dog"?  Take a trip to New Orleans via Google and step foot in his gallery on Royal Street.  For elementary students, read Why is Blue Dog Blue? and create some mini Blue Dogs for the local humane society. 

3
Create a Photo Story of a collection of work by an artist.  Include some biographical material, title slides, and music.  Display on your school webpage. 
4
Can't get to a museum?  Build a "Gallery Walk" - 5 famous works of art and gallery tags.  Challenge students to visit the gallery, observe quietly and write a "Twitter" style short critique/statement on Post-it notes as they choose their favorite work.  Post the notes and use different color Post-its for classes or grades.  Do an informal poll to see what the top artwork is and announce to the school (best at the elementary level).  A great way to teach gallery manners too!  Added idea: have the staff and teachers choose their favorite to write about as well!

Art Advocacy Ideas for January 14-18

Here's this week's fabulous 'Fab Five' advocacy ideas!

1
Stage a Living Artist Night - Teams of students study a particular painting, research and recreate it as living models.  Match clothing, props, etc, as closely as possible to the original piece to be displayed.  Build a booth and frame, light the instillation, and invite the public in to view the installation. Set this up around an art history unit.  Or, pair up with a social studies class and create this around a particular period in history that the bulk of your students are studying. (ex: Early 20th Century, WW2, the Industrial Revolution, etc.  Start now!
2
Invite parents of art students, who own local businesses, to hang student artwork 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 student design placemats and table tents that can be used by local restaurants.
4
Plan an Artist in Residence Program during March, invite in local community artists to demonstrate and/or talk to students.  Line them up now.
5
Participate in an Artist Trading Card Swap with another school in a different state.

Start the New Year right, with Art Advocacy!

It's a short school week this week, but why not start off the New Year and dive right into some advocacy lesson inspirations!  Beat the mid-winter blues with these ideas for Youth Art Month. Start now and build momentum for March 1st!

1

Organize an Urban Sketching event (you don't have to be in an urban area - any size local community has tons of great places to sketch) in your community for students - particularly good to tie in with a study of local history.  Think about a historic place, with an indoor space to sketch.  Or, do it virtually with Google Street view on a Smart Board if you cannot travel!    

*Many years ago, my college painting professor in New Paltz NY, had us sketching regularly in the community, and in particular sent us to sketch and paint at the historic Huguenot cemetery.  I've never forgotten the experience, and while it's the wrong time of year to sketch outdoors in a graveyard, keep it in mind for the spring!

2

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.

3

Use props from #2 and post daily to Twitter.

4 Bonus Idea!

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

Feb 26-March 2 Fab 5: YAM Kick-Off Week!

It's just a couple of days till YAM (Youth Art Month) kick-off time!  Here are some great ideas for you to use.  You might want to take particular note of bonus tip #6, about Make Art Monday, which is something you can do every week. 

#1
Make prints of student artwork, frame and present to local officials.  Walmart or Walgreen's make cost efficient 5x7's or 8x10's.  Use this as a photo op for YAM during our first week in March.
#2
Ask  your BOE for an endorsement of Youth Art Month.
#3
School-wide mural project - Collaboration/Unity them. 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.  (ex: Liverpool Middle School = LMS.)
#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!  Complete 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, and share with us what you are doing in your classroom/school/community for the visual arts.  Use the hashtag #MakeArtMonday and share on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and at our YAM NYS page!

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. 

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.)

10 Easy Youth Art Month Strategies

• Ask your principal to sign a Youth Art Month Endorsement Certificate.  Ask your mayor and/or superintendent to sign a Youth Art Month Proclamation. Display them prominently in your school office or lobby.  Print the forms out HERE if you are in NY state.  Don't forget to send in your documentation!

• Create a bulletin board in honor of Youth Art Month.  You can include the 2017/2017 theme (United through Art) or the new 5-year official national theme adopted by the Council for Art Education (Art Builds Bridges) or both!  Or you can devise your own theme as long as it honors student artists and art in our schools.  If you are in NY state, send in a jpeg photo of your bulletin board.

•  If your school has an art show this month, include the Youth Art Month logo in the signage and promotional materials.  Download the YAM logo HERE.  

• Arrange to have art highlighted in your school's daily announcements through the month of March.  You could have art quotes read, or announce an "artist of the day"- it could be a student artist or a famous artist.  Let your state know what you did!

• Announce Youth Art Month on your school website.  Again, let your state know what you did! 

• Post what you are doing on your state Facebook page, or ideas on our Pinterest board!  

• Team up with language arts teachers to have students write statements about what art means to them, why art class is important, or what their favorite art experience has been... or write letters to public officials about the importance of art in our schools.  

• Ask a local business (or two or three or more) to support Youth Art Month by programming receipt printers to include a simple statement, such as "March is Youth Art Month... Support Art in ______ Schools" or by displaying student art for the public to enjoy.  

• Issue certificates of appreciation to parents who support your school art program, thanking them for being a "Friend of the Art Department".   Use the template on the NYSATA website, or create one of your own -- or have a student design it!

•  Document, document, document!  Let your YAM co-chairs know whatever you do - big or small - to acknowledge and promote Youth Art Month so it can be included in your state's reports.

Youth Art Month - flag contest and more!

March is Youth Art Month, but you can start planning ahead now.  As a matter of fact, entries for the Youth Art Month Flag Contest here in NY state are due December 16th!!  Here's a link to the NYSATA website YAM page, which in turn contains links to all the forms and also all the info you could possibly need.  But you have to work fast to enter!  The deadline is less than 2 weeks away!!

Below is the Sargent Art YAM promotional poster.  Thank you, Sargent Art, for your support of YAM and what it stands for!

Here's a link to a YAM (Youth Art Month) PowerPoint that was shared at the recent NYSATA convention in November.  The PowerPoint contains lots of great ideas for promoting YAM in your school, and lots of info about the flag contest, too, as well as the Legislative Show, and much much more.  BUT, I want to note that there is an incorrect link in the PowerPoint.  So again, the correct link to get to the NYSATA Youth Art Month page on the NYSATA website is https://nysata.memberclicks.net/youth-art-month.  There's so much there for you!!