March is youth art month

#VAartedYAM26

2026 YAM Flag Winner
Congratulations to our 2026 YAM flag design contest winner, Sierra Breault, Art Teacher, Leigh Drake from Old Donation Middle School in Virginia Beach City Public Schools.  

2026 Yam Flag Winners

* The link for the 50 quick celebrations can be found below.

2024 NAEA - Virginia
​Youth Art Month Exhibit

Each year the Council for Art Education honors student artist at the  National Art Education Association Conference.  These images were presented in YAM Art Museum electronic gallery in Minneapolis, MN.

  youth art month 
Documentation Portfolios


We encourage Virginia individual schools, districts, and regions to document Youth Art Month activities to advocate for their programs.
Consult the 2026 YAM Portfolio guidelines/rubric before compiling your portfolio. 
See last year's state portfolio for ideas.
ALL PORTFOLIOS ARE DUE JUNE 1, 2026

Please submit only DIGITAL documentation in the format of a Google Slide Show whether you are submitting as an individual school, district or region via the Google Form below.
*Please note: Answer what you can on the Google Form. Some questions may not apply to your portfolio.*

2024-2025 YAM digital Portfolio

Virginia received the Award of Merit for the 2025 YAM portfolio.  Click above to see the 2025 YAM state portfolio.  This compilation of events and celebrations from around the state represented Virginia nationally.
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​YAM LOGOS

A link to the logo folder may be found in "Documenting your efforts"  at the bottom right of the page.  Access to those Youth Art Month Logos is being blocked by some school systems.  Please email Karla Kolb or Kaitlyn Canter to request an email with the files.  


​Virginia's Leaders recognize YAM! 

Gather Support

Share the 2026 google form with all stakeholders.  Parents, artists, administrators and community members can show their support for art education in a few simple clicks.  
As art teachers, we know that art unites so much in our students minds and lives. Art compels students to think! We value the opportunity to teach young people and feel that our students’ accomplishments must be celebrated! YAM is the perfect opportunity to show off the magnitude of art to those who may not ordinarily notice. 

On this webpage you will find a variety of tools to help display your art program. Please utilize the information to help your students’ successes shine. If you have questions please share with your art director or lead art teacher who may then forward your thoughts to one of our chairs, Karla Kolb or Kaitlyn Canter

We look forward to sharing our celebrations of Youth Art Month together!
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Sincerely,
Virginia YAM Committee

CONTACT:
Virginia Art Education Association
​Youth Art Month Co-Chair
Karla Kolb, M.S. Ed
Email Karla

Youth Art Month Co-Chair
Kaitlyn Canter, M.Ed
Email Kaitlyn
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REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Blue Ridge Region YAM Chair: Karla Kolb | Email Karla
Central Region YAM Chair: Rachel Burgett | E-mail Rachel
Northern Region YAM Chair: Julia Schickel  |  Email Julia
Southwest Region YAM Chair: Karen Camden | Email Karen
Tidewater Region YAM Chair: Angie Salerno | Email Angie 
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​​#VAartedYAM26

YAM 2026 THEME: The world needs art

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