Youth Art Month | Midwest Museum of American Art

For 46 years, the Midwest Museum of American Art has served as the local partner for Youth Art Month (YAM) in Elkhart County. Youth Art Month is an annual event coordinated nationally by the Council for Art Education (CFAE) and is a primary program of the National Art Education Association (NAEA). It’s a nationwide initiative in March each year that offers students a meaningful opportunity to engage with the local arts community and showcase their creative talents in a museum setting. It also serves to highlight the importance of art education by supporting the growth of school art programs and encouraging new opportunities for students to express themselves creatively.

In addition to public recognition, participating students are eligible for a variety of monetary awards provided by the museum and its sponsors. This year there are over $2,000 in cash awards available to students.

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Eight Elkhart county high schools are invited to participate:
Elkhart HS, Elkhart Career Center, Concord HS, Goshen HS, Northridge HS,
Fairfield Jr.-Sr. HS, Jimtown HS, and Northwood HS.

2026 Youth Art Theme

The World Needs Art
This theme invites students to share their unique perspectives on why art matters to them and how it can impact others.

Submissions

Artwork Drop-Off
Student work must be delivered by teachers or administrators from participating high schools to the
MMAA between Feb 20 and Feb 27.
Drop-off hours are as follows:

Wednesday–Friday: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Awards

Participating students are eligible to receive monetary awards for their artwork. For 2026, there are over $2,000 in monetary awards that will be made to participating students.

Student Lists

Teachers from each participating high school must provide one combined alphabetized list of participating students and their grade levels to the MMAA by Friday, February 20.

Senior Scholarships Available

For 2026 Youth Art, the MMAA is awarding two (2), $500 scholarships to graduating seniors, nominated by their teachers, who plan to pursue art as their primary area of study at the college level or similar program. The Senior scholarship eligibility guidelines and nominating forms may be downloaded via the links below.

Senior Scholarship Nominating Form

Senior Scholarship Eligibility Guidelines

Important Dates

Exhibition Dates
March 8, 2026 through April 19, 2026

Opening Reception and
Student Award Recognition
The exhibition will open with a reception on Sunday, March 8, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Students may attend with their families (up to 2 guests per student), and teachers are warmly encouraged to join us.