Senate Resolution No. 1971

BY: Senator GRIFFO

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 2024, as Youth Art Month in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
programs and individuals who devote themselves to the welfare of young
people and their futures; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2024, as Youth Art Month in the
State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Youth
Art Month; this year's theme is "Art Connects Us "; and

WHEREAS, Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March to
emphasize the value of art education for all children, encourage support
for quality school art programs, and promote art material safety; and

WHEREAS, Created in 1961 by the Art and Creative Materials
Institute, Youth Art Month is a nonprofit association of art and craft
materials manufacturers, in cooperation with the National Art Education
Association; and

WHEREAS, Art education contributes viable education benefits to all
elementary and secondary students including: developing students'
creative problem-solving and critical abilities; teaching sensitivity to
beauty, order, and other expressive qualities; providing students with a
stronger understanding of multicultural values and beliefs; and
interrelating student learning in art production, art history, art
criticism, and aesthetics; and

WHEREAS, To promote Youth Art Month, the Council for Arts Education
coordinates Youth Art Month activities at the national level; the
primary way to participate in New York State is the Youth Art Month
Flagship Event, which features the New York State Art Teachers
Association (NYSATA) Legislative Exhibit, co-sponsored by New York State
United Teachers (NYSUT), and NYSATA's largest public display of student
artwork in a government building; founded in 1990, this student art
exhibit is held in the Legislative Office Building in Albany each
spring, providing an exciting opportunity for students and their
families to connect with their legislators; and

WHEREAS, Youth Art chairs also create digital scrapbook reports,
documenting local observances, events, exhibits, proclamations, funding,
and community support; these reports are submitted to the Council for
Art Education, and several programs are recognized for outstanding
achievement; and

WHEREAS, These benefits of art education form the basis of "World
Class Standards" developed by the United States Department of Education
and the National Endowment for the Arts; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of art in
education as being necessary for full development of all children,
challenging the intellect while teaching lessons about proportion,
composition, and creativity; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2024, as Youth Art
Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York, and the New York State Art Teachers Association.