Dear Key Communicators,

The DC Collaborative has started off the year with arts and humanities experiences for more than 5,000 students!  We are thrilled that we are able to make an impact on the education of your students by providing access to the districts arts and humanities resources.  We have some more wonderful experiences for your students and colleagues in this newsletter.

This edition of the Key Communicator Newsletter contains: 

• The National Cherry Blossom Festival announced the Youth Art Contest Guidelines last week
• An opportunity to share your school's AFES experiences in our Arts for Every Student Story bank
• New Spring 2015 AFES Experience Surveys
• Join us for our Winter Members' Meeting on February 12!
• Professional Development Workshops available for you and your colleagues

The DC Collaborative Team

2015 Youth Art Contest and Community Art Show

Presented with the DC Collaborative

View the Guidelines, Entry Form and Resource Guide

View the Online Entry Form

Contest Deadline- March 4

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The National Cherry Blossom Festival welcomes spring and commemorates the 1912 gift of over 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and the continued close relationship between the two countries. More than one hundred years later, cherry trees beautify many neighborhoods in the greater Washington, DC region and the blooming of the cherry blossoms has become a symbol of springtime across the country.

2015 YOUTH ART CONTEST THEME

In 2015 we invite you to celebrate our natural world. Cherry blossoms are one of the first signs of spring. The cherry trees come in many varieties with different types of bark and flowers. Discover the art and style of naturalists and find other ideas through the Resource Guide.

ELIGIBILITY

Students in DC Public and Charter Schools, Grades K-12

Grade groupings for judging are as follows: K-2; 3-5; 6-8; and 9-12

DEADLINE

Entries must be turned in to the locations listed on the guidelines form by 6 p.m. on March 4th.   Please complete the online entry form and email Catalina Stawski at youthart@downtowndc.org prior to dropping off your artwork.

COMMUNITY ART SHOW

Submissions* will be showcased in a Community Art Show at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery from Friday, March 20 - Friday, April 17, 2015.

OPENING RECEPTION

Gallery hours will be extended exclusively for all DC public and public charter schools on Friday, March 20 for an Opening Reception from 4:00-8:00 p.m.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

National Cherry Blossom Festival- youthart@downtondc.org or 240.381.3025

DC Collaborative- info@dccollaorative.org or 202.587.1627

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is proud to present the 2015 Youth Art Contest and Community Art Show with the DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative. Special thanks to our supporters Pepco Edison Place Gallery, El Zol 107.9, and WPGC 95.

All entries due Wednesday, March 4, 2015

View the Guidelines, Entry Form and Resource Guide

Arts for Every Student Story Bank

Please help us document your school's AFES experiences!

• Take a group picture at every trip (make sure that you are distributing the Media Consent and Release form) and email to info@dccollaborative.org or connect wit us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
• Collect student quotes, photographs and artwork about the AFES trip.
• Write a letter of support that we can use for funding requests for the AFES Program.
• Provide feedback in the Spring 2015 AFES Experience Survey after each trip.