News

Youth Art Month (YAM)

What is Youth Art Month?

Youth Art Month is a celebration of the visual arts!

The Council for Art Education (CFAE) administers Youth Art Month. Youth Art Month encourages support for quality school art programs, and promotes art material safety. The Council for Art Education (CFAE) administers the program at the national level. The program provides a medium for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences unlike any other curriculum subjects, including:

  • Problem solving
  • Creativity
  • Observation
  • Communication

Art shows, special exhibits, fundraisers, and school and community activities take place annually, traditionally during March, to celebrate visual art education for grades K – 12.

Do you need help getting your Youth Art Month program started, but don’t know where to begin? Visit the CFAE website for information, timelines, guidelines, and templates to help you manage your program.

The 2024/2025 theme is “Healing Through Color.”

Flag & Banner Program
To promote Youth Art Month, The Council for Art Education coordinates Youth Art Month activities at the national level. The primary event is the State Flag Program. Using the national or state theme, each state coordinates a flag design contest, with the winning design made into a flag for display in the Youth Art Month Museum at the National Art Education Association (NAEA) annual National Convention.

Artwork Program
States can select and exhibit student artwork. Winning artwork pieces, including 3D art, are displayed at the NAEA National Convention in the Youth Art Month Museum.