What is Youth Art Month?
The Council for Art Education (CFAE) oversees Youth Art Month at the national level. Festivities take place each March to celebrate visual arts for grades PreK-12. OAEA helps sponsor multiple opportunities for you and your students including: Youth Arts Day at the State Capital, Youth Arts Month Flag Contest, Door Hangers for Advocacy, The Young People’s Art Exhibit, The State Superintendent Arts Showcase, and Awards Ceremonies.
The YAM program emphasizes the value of art education for all children, encourages support for quality school art programs, and promotes art material safety. YAM also provides a forum for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences that are not possible in other curriculum subjects.
Please download the YAM proclamation and ask a Mayor, Principal, Superintendent, City Counselor, or any other appropriate person in your community to proclaim Youth Art Month! And don’t forget to let your YAM chair people know about it.
YAM 2026 : Ways You Can Participate
Oklahoma Youth Arts Day
Youth Arts Day is a coming together and celebration of all forms of arts education. For more information about how you can be involved visit: okyouthartsday.org
Due to limited Capitol availability, Youth Art Day will be replaced with Youth Arts Advocacy Days on:
- February 9, 2026
- February 23, 2026
YAM State Report
Document all YAM-related events, school, district, or community exhibits and fundraisers!
A Google Doc will be provided to track and report activities.
Share highlights and photos on the OAEA Facebook page!
Questions?
Contact Your YAM Chairs:
Kuwantu Cammon – kbcammon@okcps.org
Holly Proctor – hproctor@allsaintsba.org
State Superintendent Art Showcase
Submission Details:
• Open to members & non-members
• Each elementary teacher: 2 matted/mounted works per school
Send or Deliver Artwork To:
• Holly Proctor, Kuwantu Cammon, or Brandy Musgrave
bmusgrave@putnamcityschools.org
5401 NW 40th St, Warr Acres, OK 73122
405-495-5200 ext. 1213
Event: Friday, February 27, 2026 – 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: Oklahoma State Capitol Rotunda
Awards are presented in 2–3 categories. Door hangers will also be distributed.
Note: The OSDE display at the Oliver Hodge Building is not open to the public. Encourage parents to
attend the Capitol event instead
Entry Form Click Here for Google Form
For more information about Oklahoma Youth Arts Day visit: okyouthartsday.org
Questions: bmusgrave@putnamcityschools.org
Young People’s Art Exhibit
Set aside 5 pieces of your best art work and enter into the Oklahoma Art Education Association Young People’s Art Exhibit. OAEA Members Only.
Artwork Due: Saturday, January 10, 2026
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5 pieces from OAEA members who enter, PreK-12, mounted or matted on black tag board or black mat board.
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Closing Ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2026
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The board will select 5 works from this show to go to the National Convention YAM display.
- Deliver artwork to an OAEA Board Member before January 10, or to Modella Gallery (Stillwater) on the morning of the 10th.
- Stay and help hang after the board meeting!
- Submission Details:
• 5 pieces per OAEA member (PreK–12)
• Mounted/matted on black tag board or mat board - Selected artwork or photos will be displayed at the National Convention YAM Gallery (Chicago), and
parent release forms will be required.
Link to Entry Form for 2026 Young People’s Art Exhibit Click Here
Link to 2026 YPAE Name Tags Click Here
Link to 2026 YPAE inventory form
Youth Arts Month Flag Design
As a member of OAEA, you and your students are encouraged to participate in YAM and do your part to further Art Education! Each state’s winning design is made into a 3’x5’ flag and showcased at the upcoming NAEA National Convention. This year’s flag contest is open for all students, with 1st place winners in elementary, middle, and high levels who each receive a small printed flag of their design. This year the overall winner to hang at National is Elementary.
Entries should use the template below, be intense in color, and can include the phrase “The World Needs Art!” and represent Oklahoma in content or imagery. This contest is for OAEA Members only. All Completed entries are due by Monday January 19th, 2026.
Flag Design Contest
Due Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Mail entries to:
• Holly Proctor – 7489 E 30th St, Tulsa, OK 74129
• Kuwantu Cammon – Britton Elementary, 1215 NW 95th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73114
Details:
• Elementary School design = overall winner
• Division winners for Middle & High School
• Judging during the Young People’s Art Exhibition Closing Ceremony
• Winning flag displayed at National YAM Gallery (Chicago)
• Winner recognized at State Superintendent’s Showcase Awards Ceremony
Door Hanger Project
Due Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Mail door hangers to Kuwantu or Holly
• Holly Proctor – 7489 E 30th St, Tulsa, OK 74129
• Kuwantu Cammon – Britton Elementary, 1215 NW 95th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73114
Work Session: Saturday, February 21, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Kuwantu Cammon’s Home – 6304 Redbud Ridge Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73162