YAM Update from WAEA President, Jen Dahl

Dear WAEA Members:
I am sure you are aware of the current Right to Work Bill and the protests surrounding it that are unfolding at the Capitol.  It is unfortunate timing, as the WAEA YAM show was set up on Saturday.  We are in contact with Capitol Police and have been assured that our art pieces will be safely moved out of the way should the demonstrations move into the Capitol.  We will continue to communicate with Capitol Police as necessary. In the unfortunate event that we need to cancel our March 6th YAM ceremony, you will notified by phone on Thursday, February 26th. WAEA would like to encourage our members to continue to talk with our communities, school administration and legislators about the value of a quality art education.  As you do so, try to focus on the children and youth you teach and on the essential value of art as a core component of a 21st century education.

Wisconsin art teachers are proud of the excellent programming we have offered children now and in the past. During this unprecedented time, it is important to illuminate the benefits of a strong art and design program taught by certified art educators. Here are some ways to proactively share the successes of art students:

■      Celebrate Youth Art Month during March by exhibiting works of art with the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Art and Design Education posted along with the art. It is important to include lesson objectives and artist statements and provide handouts regarding the importance of art education.

■      Video tape students describing their own art experiences and describing how art has impacted their lives.  Share the video during parent teacher conferences or other school events where parents and community members will be present.

■      Contact local artists to write about their successes as working artists and how art education influenced their lives.

■      Ask WAEA members and those working in other art careers to submit an explanation of how an art teacher helped them obtain their dream! WAEA will post your explanation on the WAEA Website!

There are many more ways of advocating for art education so WAEA invites you to visit www.wiarted.org and www.arteducators.org to prepare you for the challenging days ahead.  As events unfold please feel free to contact Tiffany Beltz, YAM Chair, at waeayam1@gmail.com or WAEA President Jen Dahl at waeapresident@gmail.com for additional advice on how to advocate for the importance of visual art and design education for all children.

Thank you for all that you do for students in Wisconsin!


Tiffany Beltz                           Jennifer Dahl

Tiffany Beltz                                                Jennifer Dahl

WAEA Youth Art Month Chair                        WAEA President