Dougherty Schools Art Festival on March 1 Opens Youth Art Month at the Albany Museum of Art
Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
Throughout Youth Art Month, children, youth, and teens can enjoy a variety of art-inspired activities at the Albany Museum of Art. The events will kick off with the Dougherty County School System’s Community Fine Arts Festival on the first day of March and conclude with the Spring Break Art Camp.
“March focuses on youth in the arts, but at the AMA of Art we have programming and events aimed at kids and teens all year round,” AMA Director of Education and Public Programming Annie Vanoteghem said. “We also have our Teen Art Board, an advisory group of teens who utilize art to reach other teens each school year. It’s a leadership training program that empowers teens to make a difference in their community and region.”
Youth Art Month opens on Saturday, March 1 with the Dougherty County School System’s Community Fine Arts Festival, a free event on the museum grounds from 10 am to 2 pm. The event will feature student art, art and music demonstrations, food trucks, and more.
“The festival celebrates the creativity of students in the DCSS and allows students to have their works and talents seen by a larger segment of the community,” Vanoteghem said. “We hope everyone will come out to see what these students can do. A lot of people don’t realize the array of talent and ability we have in our Dougherty County classrooms.”
Art by local students and students from throughout the Second Congressional District of Georgia will also be on view in the 44th annual Congressional Art Competition sponsored by the Congressional Institute. The awards announcement for the Second District, which Congressman Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, represents, is held annually at the AMA. The date of the 2025 announcement is expected to be in March.
The winning artwork in the Second Congressional District and the other participating congressional districts will hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year beginning this summer. The tunnel is the most highly traveled access point between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Capitol. Every day, members of Congress, visitors, and thousands of tourists walk through the tunnel and admire the artwork.
Also in March at the Albany Museum of Art:
- After School Art Clubs: The AMA has two after-school art clubs—one for elementary school students and one for middle and high school students—that meet during the school year. Students who attend the workshops build their portfolios as they work on their artistic skills and explore different media. The elementary school club meets 3:30-5 pm on Tuesday, March 25. It’s a “blue moon” month, however, for the middle and high school club, which meets twice: 4-5:30 pm on March 3 and 24, both Mondays. Registration can be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_
programs/art-club.
- Toddler Takeover: This monthly 30-minute program is for the AMA’s youngest visitors, children ages 18 months through pre-K. The toddlers visit a gallery, listen to a story, then engage in a take-home art project. Toddler Takeover is 10:30-11 am on Tuesday, March 4. Registration can be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_
programs/toddler-takeover/.
- Student Art Studio Saturday: This monthly program, started by the Teen Art Board in 2022, is from noon to 3 pm on Saturday, March 8, in the AMA Classroom. High school teens can enjoy music and snacks as they create art together, using materials that are provided by the museum. There is no cost to participate.
- Homeschool Day: This 90-minute program for homeschooled students is at 10 am on Thursday, March 13. Students visit one of the AMA galleries and use art as a way to explore subjects such as science, geography, history, and math. Registration can be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_
programs/homeschool-day/
- Spring Break Art Camp: Color Explosion: March 31 is the first day of the first of two weeklong spring break art camps at the museum. Each week-long adventure is perfect for young artists in K-7th grade who are eager to explore the power of color, learn about color theory, and create stunning masterpieces. Camp days are 9 am-4 pm, but half-day options of 9 am-noon are available. Registration can be found at www.albanymuseum.com/ama_
programs/spring-break-camp/.
Information about these and other programs can be found on the Events Calendar on the AMA website, www.albanymuseum.com/events/calendar/. Vanoteghem can be contacted at [email protected].
