Art is for Everyone

By Illinois Student Artists

Throughout the pages of the Illinois School Board Journal, you will find enchanting examples of the visual arts from public school students in Illinois. We are grateful for the assistance of the Illinois Art Educators Association and encourage you to visit its website to discover more award-winning student art, or experience it in person at the Joint Annual Conference.

You can also see all of the art we had space for in the Journal’s digital edition flipbook.

The arts play a vital role in a well-rounded education, providing students of all ages with opportunities to learn, create, collaborate, and grow. From elementary school through high school, participation in theater, band, choir, orchestra, dance, culinary arts, digital and media arts, and, as you see here, the visual arts helps students develop confidence, creativity, discipline, and communication skills. These experiences encourage students to think critically, solve problems, and express themselves in meaningful and sometimes unexpected ways.

The arts help students build perseverance and resilience, as well as confidence and satisfaction. Indeed, art helps students find themselves.

Each year, we celebrate student artists at the Joint Annual Conference. When we can, we share student art in the Journal’s pages. Whether in person or in print, we are happy you are joining us in recognizing the lasting impact of fine arts education and continuing to support and celebrate opportunities for every student to participate, create, and thrive. 

Art: Sophia Lugova, acrylic on canvas. Teacher Michael Freitag, Jane Addams Elementary School, Palatine CUSD 15. Image courtesy of IAEA.