March is Youth Art Month and I love to use this time to show off all the great things my students do year-round.
If I could, I would schedule the Art Show for this month (instead of May) to further hype it up!
Here are some ways to advocate for your artists as you show off your art program as a bright spot in your school and community!
Four Ways to Advocate For Your Artists
1. Celebrate!
When you celebrate things like Youth Art Month, you increase the excitement surrounding your art program.
This can be something really simple. Last year, I used my interactive bulletin board to announce March as Youth Art Month:
We’ve done grade level Design Competitions and Schoolwide Coloring Contests, ending in a Pizza Party or Popcorn Party. We even had an Ice Cream Party (on the coldest day of the year!)
2. Announce Achievements!
Write a press release for the local newspaper.
It’s something you write up when you or your students do something out of the ordinary.
If you want to learn how to write a press release, I have a guide available for FREE in a previous post here:
HOW TO WRITE A PRESS RELEASE TO PROMOTE YOUR ART PROGRAM
3. Make ART Impossible To Avoid!
Here’s how to <IMPROVE YOUR ART PROGRAM’S VISIBILITY>
But, if you want to make ART completely impossible to avoid, have your students’ work posted in as many places as time allows you to hang!
In the past, I’ve saved time posting student’s work onto posterboard that stayed up all year long. I just hung different pieces from clothespins that were hot glued to the board.
My art teacher friend hung GIANT Pop Art Stage Props from the ceiling in her classroom and throughout the longest main hallways of her school (I’m sure they’re up on Pinterest or the Art Teachers Facebook Group!) and DANG they were hard to miss- so naturally they served as conversation starters for current and new students about Art class!
4. Get Out Of The Classroom!
Here’s one of my favorite ways to get administrators, teachers and other students talking about Art class.. we hold an Art Scavenger Hunt around the school! I use this as a way to celebrate Youth Art Month in March, but I’m sure it could drive up interest any time of year!
I mean, c’mon, who WOULDN’T wonder about, stop, and ask what students are working on as they scurry around the halls looking for examples of things they’ve learned about in Art Class?!
Disclaimer:
Do NOT try to schedule it during State Testing Week!
Definitely check with your principal to make sure it’s A-OK!
Picassa’s Palette cannot be held responsible for any hallway antics that may ensue! 🙂
CONDUCTING AN Elements of Art “SCAVENGER HUNT” ACTIVITY WITH YOUR ART STUDENTS
When we announce art achievements, hang our students work and increase positive dialogue about art happenings, we are advocating for our program and our students’ efforts as artists!
I’d love to hear about how you advocate for your program! Share in the comments below!