Youth Art Month at the Portland Museum of Art is an annual exhibition showcasing the incredible talent in Maine’s art education programs.
In collaboration with the Maine Art Education Association (MAEA), the PMA is honored to present artwork made by young artists in our communities. Youth Art Month is also an opportunity to highlight the art educators in our schools and the importance of and access to quality art programs. Art educators help to inspire and empower young artists, creating avenues for young artists to express their creativity, find their voice, and cultivate communication skills.
Youth Art Month shines a spotlight on the power of art, especially for youth. We hope that this one-month-long exhibition helps to garner support and advocacy for youth art access all year round.
Youth Art Month is supported by the Onion Foundation, Sam L. Cohen Foundation, Sibley-Saltonstall Charitable Foundation, and the Peggy L. Osher Education Endowment at the Portland Museum of Art.
NEW! 2026 Youth Art Month Dates Announced
Exhibition on View: February 25 – April 5, 2026
Location: Lower Ground Floor of the PMA and online
Artwork Submission Window: January 7 - February 8, 2026
Submission Guidelines
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY to ensure your submission is received:
To submit student work, you must be a current member of MAEA. To check your membership status, email membership chair Hope Lord before completing the online registration.
You may submit one artwork per teacher per school. Artwork created by multiple students or work with multiple teachers is not permitted.
Artwork will be inspected at drop-off and will only be accepted if proper protocol is followed (See the Registration Checklist)
Artwork must be photographed properly (see our Guidelines for Photographing Artwork) and will only be accepted to the digital exhibition if proper protocol is followed.
All artworks submitted will be automatically added to both the in-person and digital exhibition, unless the artwork fits into one of the three categories described below:
If you are interested in submitting artwork that is 3D, or multimedia (digital, video, etc), this artwork can ONLY be displayed digitally. There will be no option to display this type of work in-person.
If your artwork is larger than 18” x 24”, unmated and unframed, it will only be accepted for the digital exhibition. We cannot display artworks larger than 18” x 24” in the in-person exhibition.
If you cannot physically drop off the artwork during the drop off times, or have not made other arrangements, your student’s artwork will only be displayed digitally.
If you need to make special arrangements, email Meghan Quigley Graham.
For all other questions, please contact the MAEA Youth Art Month chair, Alex Taraschi.
Drop-Off Dates
All drop-offs take place at the PMA Loading Dock, 99 Spring Street, Portland, ME 04101.
Thursday, February 12 (2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.)
Friday, February 13, (2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.)
Saturday, February 14, (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.)
Snow Date (if needed): Wednesday, February 18, (11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.)
Pick-Up Dates
All pick-ups also take place at the PMA Loading Dock, 99 Spring Street, Portland, ME 04101.
Visitors arriving at the museum’s front door will be directed to the loading dock entrance.
Thursday, April 9, (2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.)
Friday, April 10, (2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.)
Any artwork left after April 10 will be given to Alex Taraschi at Portland High School. To arrange pick-up, email tarasa@portlandschools.org.
Youth art Month Celebration
Saturday, March 14, 2026
A celebration of young artists, the educators who inspire, and the artwork showcased in the exhibition.
3:30 p.m. – K–4th Grade
4:30 p.m. – 5th–8th Grade
5:30 p.m. – 9th–12th Grade
The museum will remain open until 7:00 p.m. (galleries close at 6:00 p.m.).
Artwork Guidelines
All artwork will be displayed in-person and digitally unless it falls into one of the exceptions below.
Artwork must follow the Registration Checklist and Guidelines for Photographing Artwork to be accepted.
Work will be reviewed at drop-off for compliance.
Digital-Only Submissions
3D or multimedia work (digital, video, etc.)
Artwork larger than 18” × 24”, unmatted and unframed
Work from teachers unable to complete an in-person drop-off or alternate arrangement
If you need to make special arrangements, contact Meghan Quigley Graham at mquigley@portlandmuseum.org.
Artist Submission and Registration Form, to be completed by Active MAEA educators before Tuesday, February 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Permission and Liability Form, to be completed by the Parent/Guardian of artists before Monday, February 24, 2026.
Contact
For general event questions: Meghan Quigley Graham – mquigley@portlandmuseum.org
For YAM participation and submission questions: Alex Taraschi, MAEA Youth Art Month Chair – tarasa@portlandschools.org
The PMA is proud to partner with MAEA (Maine Art Education Association) for Youth Art Month.
Art Educator Highlights
Say hello to a few of our art educators that help make Youth Art Month possible!
Behind every YAM artwork is an educator supporting their student’s creativity and self-expression through the arts. We visited schools across Maine to meet with some of these art educators to ask why they decided to enter the profession, why the arts is so important to be taught to K-12 students, their involvement with YAM, and more.
Featured
Youth Art Month Receptions
Saturday March 9, 2024
All artists, educators, and their families are invited to the Youth Art Month celebration in-person at the PMA on Saturday, March 9, 2024:
K–4th grade at 3:30 p.m.
5th–8th grade at 4:30 p.m.
9th–12th grade at 5:30 p.m.
More information will be emailed to caregivers and educators.
More Information
Explore the pages below to discover more ways to connect with the PMA online. Check out PMA Classroom activity guides or share your artwork in the Susie Konkel Family Gallery.
Everyone 21 and under receives free, unlimited admission to the PMA with with the Susie Konkel Pass! Plan your visit today.
Questions about Youth Art Month? Email learning@portlandmuseum.org
