10 Quick Start Youth Art Month Ideas for 2018

Youth Art Month has begun!  Here's 10 ideas to quick-start your involvement!  Pay special attention to #10, and remember to document everything you do for YAM!

1
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 and send in documentation!
2
Create a bulletin board in honor of Youth Art Month.  You can use the new national theme adopted by the Council for Art Education (Building Community Through Art).  Send your state a JPEG photo of your bulletin board!
3
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: http://www.nysata.org/youth-art-month.
4
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.  Comment to let us know what you did!
5
Announce Youth Art Month on your school web site.  Send your state your link!
6
If you are in NY State, post what you are doing on our NY YAM Facebook page or ideas on our Pinterest Board.
7
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!  Send copies to your state!  We love student quotes!
8
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.
9
Issue certificates of appreciation to parents who support your art program, thanking them for being a "Friend of the Art Department."  Use a template or create one of your own, or  have a student design it!
10
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 report.  In NY, check back HERE for the Google Forms link.