
Held every March, Youth Art Month is a month-long celebration of student artists, in which WMA partners with elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Wiregrass region to display student artwork in the museum. The exhibition is open to PK-12th grade students from public, private, and home schools in the region, and emphasizes the value of art and art education for all children and encourages the public to support quality school art programs.
ENTRY GUIDELINES
Number of Entries
Enter only ONE (1) artwork per student. Please limit to FIVE (5) submissions per art project.
Artwork Drop-off / Pick-up
Only a teacher or parent/guardian may drop-off or pick-up artwork which must be delivered during drop-off dates/times. If you are submitting for multiple students, please fill out the attached Student Artwork Sheet.
Quality of Work
Artwork should be well constructed, sturdy, and not contain glitter or food materials. Artwork must be fully completed and dry before being submitted to WMA.
Honesty Statement
Students and teachers or parent/guardian must complete the Honesty Statement on the entry form and attach to back of work with masking tape. Do not use clear tape, staples or glue.
Sizes / Media
Limit artwork to 2D (standard sizes) and 3D works (no larger than 20” x 20”). All mediums accepted.
Disqualification
Artwork that does not adhere to the guidelines or work that is plagiarized will not be considered.
Additional Consideration
All Grade 9-12 submissions to YAM will automatically be considered for the Second Congressional Art Competition provided the submission meets the 26” x 26” size requirement as outlined in the Second Congressional entry guidelines.
Usage Rights
By entering YAM, WMA reserves the right to reproduce images from selected art works for promotional purposes. Credit will be attributed.
SELECTION OF WORK
Jurors
All works for display in the Youth Art Month Exhibition will be selected by two (2) art professionals not associated with WMA or area arts programs.
Elementary / Middle School
Elementary and Middle (K- 8) jurors will select pieces that offer the best representation of grade level and imagination.
High School
High School (9 – 12) jurors will select works that offer the best representation of grade level, craftsmanship, innovation, and technical skill.
IMPORTANT DATES
- January 5th through January 29th: Drop-off artwork deadline
- February 11th: Notification of selected works
- February 12th – February 26th: Artworks not selected picked up
- Tuesday, March 1st: Opening Reception, TBA
- Thursday, March 31st: YAM Exhibition closes at 5PM
- April 6th – April 16: Final pick-up of selected artwork
*Drop-off/pick-up artwork during WMA business hours:
Wednesday through Friday 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Saturday 10:00AM – 3:00PM
**WMA is not responsible for artwork that is not claimed by the final pick-up date.
THE 2ND CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION: ARTISTIC DISCOVERY CONTEST
In conjunction with Youth Art Month, WMA will once again host the 2nd Congressional Art Competition, open to all 9th-12th graders in the 2nd Congressional District. The winning piece from Alabama-District 2 will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside artwork from other contest winners nationwide. The 2nd Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional district. All winning pieces from each Congressional district will also be considered for selection as the National Congressional Art Competition winner.
AWARDS
High School (9 – 12) students’ works are eligible for the following awards:
- Wiregrass Museum of Art Award, exhibited at WMA
- Youth Art Month Award, exhibited at a YAM sponsor’s location
- Houston County Award, exhibited in the County Commission building
- City of Dothan Award, exhibited in the Mayor’s office
- 2nd Congressional Art Competition Award, exhibited at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Elementary (K-5) and Middle (6-8) grade students’ works are eligible for the following award:
- Wiregrass Museum of Art Award, exhibited at WMA (2)
All awarded artwork will be displayed at the designated location for one (1) year, from March 2022 through March 2023. Works will be returned in April 2023. All art award winners will receive a $50 check and will receive recognition during a Dothan City Commission meeting held in early March 2022.
For further information, email Educator Brook McGinnis
or call (334) 794-3871 ext. 25.
Youth Art Month is sponsored by…



