WISCONSIN ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
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Youth Art Month

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​Youth Art Month (YAM) celebrates the visual arts during the month of March through exhibits and activities across the United States. Check this site for special art events, activities, and awards for our young artists and educators across Wisconsin.  
 
The 2026 WAEA State Art Show occurred  in March at East Towne Mall in Madison, WI. The theme this year was the "World Needs Art." Here are Wisconsin Art Education Association highlights for YAM. Congratulations to the student artists, their families, and the art educators for their participation in Youth Art Month. 

YAM Closing Ceremony Guest Speakers

Devon Calvert - Master of Ceremonies and Art Teacher -  Youth Art Month Closing Ceremony in Madison, WI on March 27, 2026.
George Tzougros, Executive Director for the Wisconsin Arts Board - guest speaker for Youth Art Month Closing Ceremony in Madison, WI on March 27, 2026.
Ike Wynter, Milwaukee Wood Artists - guest speaker for Youth Art Month Closing Ceremony in Madison, WI on March 27, 2026.
Katie Crawley, Deputy Mayor for Madison, WI  - guest speaker for Youth Art Month Closing Ceremony in Madison, WI on March 27, 2026.

Youth Art Month 2026

YOUTH ART MONTH GUIDELINES​
  • Click the Guidelines/ Registration button to register today! Those registering MUST BE A MEMBER OF WAEA TO PARTICIPATE.
    • The WAEA State Art Show is February 28 - March 27, 2026 at East Towne Mall, Madison, WI.
    • The Youth Art Month Celebration will be March 27, 2026 from 12:00-1:00 pm with make and takes, prizes, music, and much more!
    • The reception is on March 27, 2026 from 12:00 noon - 1:00.​
  • Artwork Requirements are shared within the Guidelines/ Registration button.  ​​
Guidelines / Registration 2025
WAEA Membership Show
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YOUTH ART MOnTH ACTIVITIES 

Click on the images below for fun activities for Youth Art Month. 

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​YAM 2026 Flag entries
Congratulations to the student artists and art educators for submitting flags for the entries. The flags will be displayed during the #YAM26 events at the East Towne Mall, Madison, WI from February 28 - March 27, 2026. The flag theme is "The World Needs Art." 
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Youth Art Month 2025

Student Artist Highlights
Wisconsin Youth Art Month
​Celebrations and Activities
Guest Illustrator - Author
​Jeanne Styczinski
WAEA Art Educator
Member Showcase


WAEA has three items for your use to help share about  YAM events and to show your support for art education in our schools. Share these with your school administration. 
YAM Press Release 2026  
Youth Art Month Advocacy Letter 
​YAM Digital Endorsement 

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​Youth Art Month Co-Chairs
Jen Dahl
[email protected]

Kathryn Rulien-Bareis

[email protected]

​*Contact a co-chair with any questions or concerns you have about Youth Art Month.
2026 Regional Show Information
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​Sign on to the "YAM Digital Endorsement" to show your support for Youth Art Month. 
YAM Digital Endorsement
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​​Congratulations to the Wisconsin Youth Art Month Program for winning the Claire Flanagan Grand Award for two consecutive years. This is the highest YAM award from the National Art Education Association. ​

Regional Representatives & 2026 Exhibits

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South East Vice President
Natalie Kotnik
[email protected]

SE

Exhibit: Jan. 26- Feb.14, 2026
Location: Crossman Gallery, UW-Whitewater
Set-up: Jan. 24, 2026  9 am - 12 noon

Reception: Feb. 14, 2026    ​2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
​T
ake down: Feb. 14, 2026 following reception.

Mail/drop off artwork by Jan. 23, 2026 to: 
Natalie Kotnik
Eagle Elementary 
810 E Main Street
Eagle, WI 53119​
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North West Vice President 
Sarah Fredrikson
[email protected]

​NW


​Exhibit: Jan. 31, 2026 (12 noon) - Feb. 14, 2026

Set Up: Jan. 31, 2026 10:00 am
Reception: Feb. 14, 2026 ​11:00 am - 11:30 am
Location:  UW-Stout Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center 
Take down: Feb. 14, 2026 following reception.

​Mail / Drop off by Jan. 27, 2026 or bring artwork to set-up day:  
Chetek-Weyerhaeuser High School
Attn: Sarah Fredrikson
1001 Knapp St
Chetek, WI 54728

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North East Region Chair 
Jill Bailey
[email protected]​

NE

​​Exhibit: Jan. 24 - Feb 22, 2026
Location:  The Neville Public Museum 
Reception: Jan. 24th, 2026 from 1pm-4pm
Take down: Feb 24-28, 2026 
Artwork to be picked up by Jill Bailey in coordination with museum reps. All artwork will be brought to the state event for pickup unless other arrangements are made.  

Mail/drop off artwork by Jan. 9, 2026 to: 
Wrightstown High School
ATTN Jill Bailey
600 High St
Wrightstown, WI  54180
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Additional details: Each district should label boxed art according to grade level- Elementary, Middle, & High School.
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North Central Vice Presidents
Jill Fortin & Justin Markgraf
waeanorthcentralvp@​gmail.com

NC

Exhibit: Jan 31 - February 14, 2026
Location: Steeple Gallery, 152 S 2nd St, Dorchester, WI 54425
Set-up: Jan. 31, 2026  9- 10 am
Reception: February 14, 2026 12-1pm.
Take down: February 14, 2026 following reception.

Mail or deliver art by Jan. 28, 2026 to:
Abbotsford Elementary School
c/o Jill Fortin
​510 W Hemlock Street
​Abbotsford, WI 54405

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West Central Vice President 
VACANT

Interested in this position, contact - ​
Jen Dahl at 

[email protected]

WC

​Exhibit:  Feb. 3-21, 2026
Location: Black River Falls Public Library 
222 Fillmore St. Black River Falls
Reception: Feb. 21, 2026 10 am - 12 noon
Take down: Feb. 21, 2026 immediately following reception.
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Mail/drop off artwork by Jan. 26, 2026 to: 
Jen Dahl 
Black River Falls High School
166 Tiger Lane 
Black River Falls, WI 54615
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​South West Vice President 

Mandy Zdrale
[email protected]

​SW

Exhibit: Feb. 9- 15, 2026
Location:
 Common Wealth Gallery 100 S. Baldwin St. Madison, WI
Set Up: Feb. 7, 2026 from 10 am - 1 pm For those helping set-up,  bring artwork and hammers/nails to hang the artwork or coordinate with Mandy.
Reception: Feb. 15, 2026 from 12-3 pm.
Take down: Feb. 15, 2026 immediately following reception.

Mail artwork by Feb. 2, 2026 to:  
Mandy Zdrale
5702 Meadowood Dr.
Madison, 53711

Congratulations to student artists who submitted flags for Youth Art Month.  

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  • Home
  • Community
    • About Us
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    • Fellows
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    • Membership
    • Regions
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  • Advocacy
    • Resources
    • SmArt Academic
    • SmArt Creativity
    • SmArt Equity
    • SmArt Facts
    • Mental Health/SEL
    • WI ACP
  • Conference
    • Conference
    • Fall Conference Logistics
    • Sponsors and Exhibitors
  • Programs
    • Scholastic
    • Visioneer Design Challenge
    • Visual Arts Classic
    • Youth Art Month
  • Publications
    • Art Times
  • Resources
    • Art in Special Education
    • ED&I
    • Educator Grants
    • National Art Education Association
    • Student Grants & Awards
    • Teacher Resources
  • Secondary Art Education