FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA), the nation’s largest arts in education network, will mark this year's National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week (YA Week) March 29 – April 11, 2026, to raise awareness and support for arts in education. First championed by Conductor Leonard Bernstein in 1971, YA has grown into an annual, two-week celebration of arts in education nationwide.
YA affiliates across the country mark YA Week each spring with a variety of programs, events, and other outreach, with the goal of spotlighting for congressional stakeholders and the community the powerful impact of the arts on the education and development of our next generation of learners.
This year's YA Week builds on the momentum of YA's 2026 National Arts in Education Conference in Washington, D.C., where affiliate advocacy will meet with their members of Congress to share impact data, case studies, and stories demonstrating why the arts are essential in classrooms and communities across their local districts.
"The stories we tell during our National Conference and YA Week spotlight how the YA network is leading innovative and impactful arts experiences throughout the United States," said David A. Dik, National Executive Director of Young Audiences Arts for Learning. "Engaging in these conversations on Capitol Hill is critical to helping policymakers understand where and how the arts make a difference, from federal priorities to classrooms in their own districts."
For resources and ways to get involved in YA Week 2026, visit YA.org/YAweek.
Each YA affiliate (listed below) will release information about their local YA week celebrations in the upcoming weeks.
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YOUNG AUDIENCES OF ABILENE YOUNG AUDIENCES OF HOUSTON YOUNG AUDIENCES OF LOUISIANA YOUNG AUDIENCES OF LUBBOCK ARTS FOR LEARNING MASSACHUSETTS YOUNG AUDIENCES NEW JERSEY & EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUNG AUDIENCES NEW YORK YOUNG AUDIENCES OF NORTHEAST TEXAS YOUNG AUDIENCES OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA YOUNG AUDIENCES OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS KANSAS CITY YOUNG AUDIENCES ARTS FOR LEARNING CONNECTICUT ARTS FOR LEARNING INDIANA ARTS FOR LEARNING MARYLAND |
ARTS FOR LEARNING MIAMI ARTS FOR LEARNING NORTHWEST ARTS FOR LEARNING SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ARTS FOR LEARNING VIRGINIA ARTS FOR LEARNING WESTERN NY ARTS PARTNERS ARKANSAS LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS ARTS & LEARNING CONSERVATORY ARTS EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE ARTSNOW CHICAGO ARTS PARTNERSHIPS IN EDUCATION CENTER FOR ARTS-INSPIRED LEARNING SPRINGBOARD TO LEARNING THINK360 ARTS FOR LEARNING
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Organizations and arts in education advocates can join the YA Week celebration by showing support on social media, using the hashtag #YAweek.
Facebook: Young Audiences – National
Instagram: @Young_Audiences
Twitter: @YoungAudiences_
About Young Audiences Arts for Learning
Founded in 1952, Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) is the nation's largest arts in education network, serving 27 states and impacting approximately 5 million young people and their families each year. YA champion a future where every child’s creativity is valued, nurtured, and empowered to flourish, with the belief that arts are not a luxury but an essential foundation for learning, expression, and opportunity. Learn more about our mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts at https://youngaudiences.org.
Contact:
Lauren Altschuler, Communications Manager
lauren@ya.org
