K 157: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2025, as Youth Art Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 157 BY: M. of A. Durso MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2025, 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 2025, as Youth Art Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Youth Art Month; 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 2025, 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.