Youth Art Month was founded by the Crayon, Water Color & Craft Institute, Inc., the predecessor of the Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc. (ACMI), in cooperation with the National Art Education Association, in 1961 and was initially called Children’s Art Month. Its goal was to “emphasize the value of participating in art for all children.” It was renamed Youth Art Month in 1969, to include secondary school students. In 1984, ACMI created the Council for Art Education, Inc. (CFAE) to oversee the annual observation of Youth Art Month. As of 2009, CFAE consisted of representatives of: ACMI, the National Art Education Association, “The SHIP” (a group of manufacturers of art materials), and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. The Craft & Hobby Association is also involved in Youth Art Month.
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