New Museum Los Gatos has received the 2023 Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Museum Education for its high school art competition.
Founded in 2012, the annual ArtNow competition is a juried high school art contest open to students across the Bay Area. Each year students are asked to submit works based on a theme and have the chance to win scholarships and awards totaling $16,000.
The Superintendent’s Award, which was also begun in 2012, is sponsored by the California Association of Museums and the California Department of Education and recognizes California museums for programs that serve K-12 students and educators. ArtNow is among 66 programs to have received the award.
NUMU’s competition presents awards for works in painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, photography, digital art and video/animation. One work is named Best in Show, and museum visitors cast their votes for the people’s choice award.
ArtNow 2023’s theme was “Unarmed Truth,” and more than 800 students from 37 high schools submitted their artwork – the most submissions ever received.
“ArtNow offers students the real-life experience of what an artist goes through to get their work exhibited in a museum,” Los Altos High School teacher Christine An said in a statement. “The experience fosters self-confidence, critical thinking skills and creative expression, as well as teaching students the intrinsic value of art.
“By participating in the program, students were able to bring their voices and artworks outside the confines of classrooms.”
Source: www.mercurynews.com