LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 2016, 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
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2016, as Youth Art Month in the State
of New York, in conjunction with National Youth Art Month; this year's
theme is "The Power of Art"; and
WHEREAS, Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March to empha-
size 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 Associ-
ation; and
WHEREAS, Art education contributes viable education benefits to all
elementary and secondary students including: developing students' crea-
tive 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 interre-
lating 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 prima-
ry event is the State Flag Program where each state coordinates a flag
design contest with the winning design made into a flag for display in
the Youth Art Month Museum at the National Art Education Association in
March; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the flag contest, states select and exhibit
student artwork throughout the year to be displayed in the Youth Art
Month Museum at the National Art Education Association Convention in
March; and
WHEREAS, Youth Art chairs also create digital scrapbook reports, docu-
menting 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 achieve-
ment; 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, chal-
lenging the intellect while teaching lessons about order, proportion and
genius; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2016, as Youth
Art Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and the New York State Art Teachers Association.