(Humboldt County) – On February 14, 2024 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. Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) has long partnered with our schools on a variety of opportunities for students to attend or participate in arts endeavors. Recently, 420 music students in 6th – 12th grade 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 incredible rehearsals and concerts, this year at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Upcoming is the Youth Arts Festival, a partnership with the Morris Graves Museum of Art. Youth art from around the county will hang in the Knight, Anderson, Bettiga, and Youth Galleries through March 24. There are over 300 youth artists participating from 18 schools. On Saturday afternoon, March 2, there will be youth performances in the Morris Graves. It is free to the public. Lizzy Dostal, HCOE Arts Learning Specialist, will also coordinate field trips for the students to visit the museum and their art. The opportunity for students to see their art hanging in the Morris Graves Museum is unparalleled and HCOE is grateful for the partnership.
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 are multiple breakout sessions and keynote speakers for this highly engaging workshop. It is underwritten by the Department of Education ArtSEL grant and is for anyone working in education. There are scholarships available for college students who are in pre-service or student teaching courses. Contact Bill Funkhouser, HCOE Arts Learning Specialist, for more information or visit www.artsel.org/3924-ces-2024 .
Superintendent of Schools, Michael Davies-Hughes 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. 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!”
Contacts
- Lizzy Dostal, Arts Learning Specialist, ldostal@hcoe.org 707-445-7074
- Bill Funkhouser, Arts Learning Specialist, bfunkhouser@hcoe.org 707-445-7072
- Stacy Young, Director of Community Outreach and Engagement outreach@hcoe.org 707-445-7024