Youth Art Month: Foster Your Child’s Creativity

WF Staff

Every child is born with creative potential. Even Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he or she grows up.”

Young children naturally pick up a crayon for the first time to draw out their first scribbled masterpiece. They gloriously dip their tiny infant hands into a tub of paint to experience the pure joy of finger-painting. Even before they can speak, they have an innate sense of creative expression and artistic understanding.

Nurturing this initial creativity can do wonders for a child’s development. Active art participation can dramatically enhance a child’s imagination, aid in self-expression, help develop crucial problem-solving and social skills and increase academic performance.

In support of this is Youth Art Month, which is an annual observance every March to promote and recognize the value of art and art education for all children. Help foster your child’s creativity and take part in the cause by participating in one of these fun, art-filled events and activities!

Discovery Pack at The Phillips Collection

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C.

Take your family out for a day of art exploration at The Phillips Collection. Your little ones will love the museum’s Discovery Pack. It’s an interactive, all-ages set of cards that features works of art from the permanent collection. The pack guides you and your family through the museum with engaging and exciting questions and fun activities.

Saturday Art Explorers at Glen Echo Park

Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD

Enjoy a creative morning in the “Candy Corner” at Glen Echo Park for their parent and child drop-in art workshops, presented by Playgroup in the Park and the Glen Echo Park Arts Partnership. Activities change weekly, so there is always a new art form or theme to explore!

Youth Art Month Exhibit at Reston Community Center

March 2 – 30

Reston Community Center Lake Anne, Reston, VA

To celebrate National Youth Art Month, eight FCPS Reston elementary schools have created a special exhibit of artwork to be displayed in the Jo Ann Rose Gallery and 3-D Gallery at Reston Community Center Lake Anne. Browse through the exhibit to see the original works as well as other public art projects that have been created within the school communities.

Active art participation can dramatically enhance a child’s imagination and aid in self-expression.

NGAKids Art Zone

National Gallery of Art Online

You and your children can peruse through some of the greatest art masterpieces of all time while also making your own masterpieces right at home. The National Gallery of Art’s Art Zone is an interactive online program that introduces kids to art and art history. It also features a variety of art-making tools that encourage exploration and creativity — just download the app to your Macintosh or Windows-based computer.

First Studio: Story + Workshop at the Kreeger Museum

March 3 & 17, 10-11 a.m.

The Kreeger Museum, Washington, D.C.

Children ages three to five are invited to use their imaginations as they explore the paintings, sculpture and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. The studio event includes a gallery tour, a story and a hands-on art-making experience. Pre-register at kreegermuseum.org/education/first-studio.

Open Studio: “Paints, Pigments, Brushes: All about Japanese Painting”

March 31, Noon-4 p.m.

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington, D.C.

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is offering an exciting National Cherry Blossom Festival-inspired drop-in workshop for all ages. View a display of colorful pigments and brushes and make your own paintings alongside visiting Japanese artists, Ideguchi Yuki and Iwaizumi Kei.