Youth Arts Celebration 2012 is Headed Your Way!

The Indiana Arts Council‘s 5^th annual Youth Arts Celebration event planing is well underway!  This year’s event on May 1^st-6^th will take place at a number of different venues throughout the area, such as the Indiana Mall, Zion Lutheran Church, Indiana Junior High School, and others.  The festival will feature student works in drama, literature, dance, music, and visual art, including exhibits and live performances.

The Youth Arts Celebration is a free arts festival featuring students, grades K-12, in a public showcase of their work to a wide community audience.  Originally conceived of by a group of dedicated art educators working at local schools, many whom are still involved today, the event has grown and expanded over the last five years to encompass a wide range of art mediums and genres.  Many individuals and groups will be involved, including committee members Cathy Paterson, Barry Pogein, Viera Bonnet, and Bill Double.  IUP Professor Steve Loar’s One Island program is new to the event this year, and IUP students in the National Art Education Association are hoping to organize interactive activities at the festival for youth to participate in. Performances by Sharon’s School of Dance, Sue Hewitt Dance Studio, Indie Strings, and the IUP String Project will also be featured.

The Indiana Arts Council also hopes that the Youth Arts Celebration will help people understand the importance of having the arts present in school curriculum.  Art plays an important role in the education of all students, not just youth interested in art or a creative career, because it develops critical thinking skills, self-expression, and confidence in students and children.  Having the opportunity to publicly exhibit and perform work can also be extremely beneficial to a student’s growth and sense of self-assurance.  By publicly exhibiting the work of youth from around the county, and by having an audience present to support and encourage the artwork of young children and students, the Youth Arts Celebration aims to show how art can be beneficial to youth and the community.

Keep checking the Indiana Arts Council Blog for more updates about the Youth Arts Celebration, and to find out more details about online registration for teachers.  We look forward to seeing you at this exciting and enriching event!