Get ready to celebrate the most wonderful, COLORFUL time of the year with fresh ideas and creative energy centered around this year’s YAM theme, “Your Community, Your Story.” Participants will enjoy a make-and-take lesson that’s designed to amplify student voice through meaningful connections. Discover fun, impactful ways to advocate for your art program while planning exciting, community-driven events that bring everyone together. Whether you're new to YAM or a seasoned pro, you’ll leave inspired and ready to create a vibrant, unforgettable celebration!
In this hands‑on workshop, participants will explore how Artsonia empowers students to make their mark through creative‑ish lessons, process‑focused documentation, and legacy‑building community projects. Attendees will engage in a guided Artsonia upload demo, design a mini lesson incorporating process documentation, and collaborate on a legacy‑project brainstorm. Participants should bring a mobile device or laptop; the presenter requires Wi‑Fi access, a projector, and one power outlet. No fees are required.
Freeform crochet is all about letting go of patterns and jumping into intuitive, creative making, and this workshop is the perfect place to try it. Beginners are absolutely welcome as you explore how to build shapes freely, mix stitches, play with texture, and create work that grows in unexpected and exciting ways. Come ready to experiment, relax into the process, and discover a style of crochet that feels expressive, personal, and fun.
Mentoring Matters will share practical teaching strategies, professional wisdom, and lots of creative service learning lessons learned throughout a career! Designed for teachers at every stage, this session celebrates the power of mentorship, collaboration, and lifelong growth in art education. And we’ll make stuff too!
The art room has always been where creativity, problem-solving, communication, and resilience are built. Now, more than ever, that work matters. In this session, you will hear a compelling, research-backed case for why visual art education belongs at the center of every school's future-ready investment, participate in an art-making experience, and leave equipped with a classroom-ready lesson and a strategy to activate parents as advocates for your program.
Fear is one of the most powerful forces working against creative growth — and art teachers are not immune. In this workshop, you will explore the nature of creative fear and walk away with a personal action plan for doing the one scary creative thing you’ve been putting off. Through honest conversation, practical frameworks, and a hands-on activity, you’ll leave with tools you can use yourself and bring straight back to your students. Participants: Please bring a journal or paper, a pen or pencil, and any art supplies that feel personal to your practice. A handout will be provided by the presenter.
Inspired by the work of Nick Cave, participants will explore how sculpture, sound, and personal expression can amplify student voice and help students make their mark. Attendees will learn about Cave's Sound Suits, examine classroom connections to identity and self-expression, and create a miniature Sound Suit sculpture using mixed-media materials while experiencing a lesson that can be adapted for a variety of grade levels.
Workshop activities include a brief artist introduction, discussion of student voice and artistic messaging, hands-on construction of a miniature Sound Suit sculpture, and sharing of student examples/ideas for classroom implementation. Requested room needs include tables, chairs, projector/screen, and access to electrical outlets. All materials will be provided. Participant fee: $10.
From censored exhibitions to public backlash, this session shares powerful classroom stories from around the world. Learn how to guide controversial student work with confidence, clarity, and care while centering responsibility and student safeguarding. Gain practical tools to support creative risk-taking while navigating cultural context, institutional expectations, and real-world consequences.
What happens when fine arts educators collaborate to reach students who may be disconnected from school and he arts? This presentation explores how k-12 art and music teachers can build partnerships that increase participation and retention and spark creativity in low-engagement student populations and communities.
