CVS Caremark, VSA announce 2012 Annual All Kids Can Create Exhibition
WASHINGTON — VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, and an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, along with CVS Caremark All Kids Can have announced the 102 students of all abilities that will be featured in the 2012 All Kids Can Create exhibition "What Inspires Me."
All Kids Can Create is an annual national program from which artwork submitted by students, ages 5 to 15 years, is selected to represent each state and the District of Columbia for a national art exhibition. This year, All Kids Can Create invited young people with and without disabilities to submit a piece of artwork under the theme "What Inspires Me" to encourage youth to reflect on what inspires them and express those inspirations through original art.
More than 3,000 students across the country submitted artwork for consideration. Two students from each state and the District of Columbia have been selected to participate in the exhibition. All of the artwork submitted this year is featured in an online gallery.
"CVS Caremark is proud to collaborate with VSA for the fifth year on All Kids Can Create, the only visual arts program of its kind that raises awareness in schools and in local communities about the importance of inclusion," stated Eileen Howard Boone, SVP corporate communications and community relations for CVS Caremark. "This program encourages children with and without disabilities to express themselves and fosters creativity, self-esteem and confidence through art, and showcases the positive impact arts education can have on children of all abilities."
Ten students representing the diversity of talent, creativity and abilities from across the nation will travel courtesy of VSA and CVS Caremark to Washington, D.C., for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony when the 2012 All Kids Can Create exhibition debuts at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
In addition, teachers with participating students were invited to submit essays on the importance of arts education and inclusive teaching.
"What Inspires Me" is part of VSA and CVS Caremark's All Kids Can Create campaign that encourages learning and community engagement through artistic expression. The program includes the Call for Art, artist-in-residence programs in schools and community events that expand access and learning through the arts for students with disabilities. CVS Caremark colleagues also participate in the program through volunteer activities that engage their communities and/or schools in building inclusive environments.
The 2012 All Kids Can Create exhibit will be on display at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library from Aug. 1 to 26, 2012.