March is named Youth Arts Month

On Feb. 14, the Humboldt County Board of Education proclaimed March 2024 as Youth Arts Month and urged all citizens to take interest in and give full support to quality school arts programs for children and youth.

The Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) has long partnered with schools on a variety of opportunities for students to attend or participate in arts endeavors. Recently, 420 music students in sixth through 12th grades participated in the 67th annual All County Music Festival. This festival features seven ensembles. HCOE partners with the North Coast Music Educators Association to put on these rehearsals and concerts, this year at Cal Poly Humboldt.

As part of the Youth Arts Festival, youth art from around the county is hanging in the Knight, Anderson Bettiga and Youth galleries at the Morris Graves Museum of Art through March 24. There are over 300 youth artists participating from 18 schools.

Lizzy Dostal, HCOE arts learning specialist, is coordinating field trips for the students to visit the museum and see their art.

The annual Creative Education Symposium will be held at the Sequoia Conference Center on Saturday, March 9. The theme this year is “Telling Our Stories, Amplifying Marginalized Voices”. There will be multiple breakout sessions and keynote speakers for this workshop, which is being underwritten by a Department of Education ArtSEL grant and is designed for anyone working in education. There are scholarships available for college students who are in pre-service or student teaching courses.

Superintendent of Schools Michael DaviesHughes has long been an advocate for the arts for all students.

“As we embrace Youth Arts Month, I am proud of the profound impact of creativity evident throughout our Humboldt County schools,” he said. “Let us recognize the invaluable role of the arts in shaping well-rounded and innovative students, ensuring a brighter and more colorful future in our community.”