For every week in Youth Art Month 2025, we are spotlighting an organization each day that uplifts and connect Wisconsin's youths to the arts. Here are our six shining stars this week:
Day Sixteen
Arts Board Grantee
Bembé Drum and Dance is a community-based, cultural arts organization that inspires intergenerational connection, community, and cultural identity exploration through Afro-Latino musical culture.
Established in 2015 by a school parent seeking more arts education that centered the African cultural lineage of Latinos, Bembé was created with local educators and artists to bring Afro-Latino musical traditions to youth, families and the greater community where it can serve as part of daily life. Since its inception, Bembé has developed multiple year-round school-based programs, a public academy, culturally competent music-as-therapy, study abroad opportunities, artist residences for cultural masters, and free public events for an inclusive, multi-ethnic and intergenerational community.
What have they been up to lately, and how are they using their WAB grant?
From Nazareth, Administrative and Grants Manager:
“Over the past year, Bembé Drum and Dance has provided year-round, intergenerational workshops for youth and adults, led by expert cultural educators specializing in the Afro-Latino Diasporic musical traditions. Students have gained valuable instruction in cultural history, music, and dance while showcasing their talents in key performances such as Bembé’s Carnaval Celebration and Journey the Atlantic/Viajando el Atlántico. They have also participated in major community events like the Summer Bombazo at the Harbor District, Zócalo, and the South Milwaukee Heritage Parade, bringing Afro-Latino traditions to broader audiences.
This year, Bembé expanded its programming by introducing Son Jarocho workshops, incorporating the traditional Mexican blend of African and Indigenous percussion into its curriculum. Additionally, Bembé’s internship program has provided young leaders with hands-on training in workplace professionalism, communication, classroom management, event planning, and cultural programming—preparing them to mentor and inspire younger students.
With the opening of Bembé Casa Cultural on Layton Blvd, across from the Mitchell Park Domes, Bembé has expanded its reach, offering more workshops, summer camps, and communal space for the community. Committed to fostering expression, healing, and celebration, Bembé continues to integrate Afro-Latino musical traditions into daily life for youth, families, and the wider community.”
Day Seventeen
Arts Board Grantee
The Center for the Visual Arts (CVA) is one of the leading cultural institutions in Central Wisconsin, with four professional gallery spaces featuring eighteen exhibits annually, a reputable school of art, and a juried gallery shop. The CVA was founded and incorporated in 1982 by a group of community members and artists who wanted to promote creativity, and enhance the education and appreciation of the visual arts in Wausau.
What have they been up to lately, and how are they using their WAB grant?
From Tiffany, Executive Director:
"Over 40 years ago, beginning in artists’ homes, the CVA was created to help supplement recent cuts to arts programming in public schools. While our mission has grown tremendously since 1982, education continues to be one of the cornerstones of our existence. Through our school of art, we are able to bring engaging and accessible workshops, classes, and summer camps to patrons of all ages! Our Youth programming shines all year round with everything from free toddler programming to youth ceramics, youth painting, drawing and more! Thanks to generous donors, the CVA is able to award needs-based scholarships ensuring our young artists can explore their artistic identity regardless of their financial abilities."
Day Eighteen
Arts Board Grantee
World Fest, which has been serving small Midwestern communities since 2003, will come to a close following this spring’s tours. Throughout the last 22 years, World Fest programming has reached more than 750,000 people, including 550,000 youth through more than 300 public performances and 3,000+ educational events.
The purpose of World Fest is to connect Midwestern communities to international musicians to foster an understanding of and appreciation for global uniqueness and differences. Marinette/Menominee was selected as one of 9 Midwestern communities to host the Arts Midwest program, World Fest.
Reflecting on 3 years of World Fest:
From George, the Wisconsin Arts Board Executive Director:
“This week, Marinette, Wisconsin hosted A Moving Sound, an award winning ensemble from Taiwan. A Moving Sound is the last of six artist groups from around the world that Marinette has hosted over the last three years through Arts Midwest World Fest.
In the beginning, there was some hesitation when the Arts Board – one of the nine state arts agencies in the Arts Midwest region - approached Marinette to ask if they’d like to participate in World Fest. This was understandable as there was no existing performing arts touring infrastructure at the time. Kim Brooks, who ultimately became Marinette’s community project leader, knew instinctively that this program would have great value for her community and its young people. Kim assembled a team of volunteers and sponsors who has made this project a success over the past 3 years.
I was able to attend two events during this residency. On Tuesday, March 18, I attended a community gathering which was held at the beautifully restored Christian Science Reading Room in Marinette. A Moving Sound performed, sponsors and volunteers were acknowledged, and delicious local vegetables, cheeses, and meats were enjoyed by all. Those gathered appreciated the performance and all the project has done for the area over the past three years.
The next morning was a school event at the very-full gymnasium of Marinette Middle School. Kindergarteners to fourth graders were ready to learn about the people, music, and instruments of Taiwan, which is over 7300 miles away from Marinette. The kids loved the performance, which you could tell as they listened closely, cheered loudly, and participated when invited by the artists to sing along, ask questions, or make comments. If the past is any guide, another indication of how the kids enjoyed the performance will be when they go home, tell their parents about the performance, and bring their parents to the community concerts offered later in the residency.
There were many seeds planted during this and previous residencies in Marinette, and in other Wisconsin communities touched by World Fest. For those who have not/or cannot travel beyond the US, the world came to them, planting seeds of cultural understanding, love of music, joy of bringing people together, and community.
Thanks are due to A Moving Sound, community project leader Kim Brooks, community volunteers and sponsors, and Arts Midwest World Fest.
Arts Midwest supports, informs, and celebrates arts organizations and creative communities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the Native Nations that share this geography, and beyond.”
Day Nineteen
Arts Board Grantee
Arts @ Large is committed to providing equitable access to educational experiences that include the arts. Arts @ Large activates Milwaukee’s communities to build environments that support arts-rich, lifelong learning. Since 2001, Arts @ Large has grown an award-winning, nationally-recognized educational organization that builds the skills, confidence, and competence of classroom teachers, arts specialists, and artist educators to engage thousands of students annually in experiential, arts-infused learning. We believe that the integration of the arts across all content areas transforms the way that teachers teach, and students learn.
What have they been up to lately, and how are they using their WAB grant?
From Tricia, Marketing Specialist:
“Led by local professional artists, Arts @ Large Community Center youth programs, including Artist in Residence (AIR) Academy, Summer Arts Camp, High School Career Development Arts Internship, and AIR field trips, are thoughtfully connected to our broader Community Center initiatives, creating a cohesive artistic journey that nurtures creativity and fosters lifelong engagement with the arts.
In addition, we also support the integration and inclusion of art as part of MPS school days through our collaboration with the district’s Visual Arts Expansion Support program. Currently, A@L employs 9 local artist-educators as staff members who directly bring art education to the students.
Both our Community Center and in-school youth programs provide access and exposure to a wide variety of art mediums such as 3D soft sculpture, sound design, photography, fashion, dance, poetry, and more.”
Day Twenty
Arts Board Grantee
The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, known for its internationally renowned Birds in Art exhibition each fall, offers diverse and ever-changing exhibitions year-round, sculpture garden, Art Park, dynamic programs for all ages and life stages, and a commitment to always-free admission that provides barrier-free access to the visual arts.
How are they celebrating Youth Art Month?
Each March, the Museum focuses on the importance and impact of student art by highlighting it in a variety of ways, including their 48th Annual Student Art Exhibition, which is open from March 15th through April 27th, and features artwork from grades five through eight.
They are hosting an Emerging Artists Reception this Saturday, March 29th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, to celebrate the accomplishments of the students in the 48th Annual Student Art Exhibition, and encourage to their artistic pursuits for many years to come.
Day Twenty One
Every year, the Wisconsin Art Education Association organizes regional Youth Art shows and activities across Wisconsin, accumulating in a State Art Show at the end of Youth Art Month.
How are they celebrating Youth Art Month?
The 2025 WAEA State Art Show took place from March 2nd through the 28th at East Towne Mall in Madison, WI. The Closing Ceremony and Youth Art Awards took place on Friday, March 28, 2025 at East Towne Mall, Madison, WI, from 10 am through 12 noon. The day was packed with activities organized by the Wisconsin Art Education Association, with some of the activities being: Make and Take Stations, Art Gallery Viewing (600+ Youth Artworks), Scavenger Hunt, and Guest Artist Meet and Greet.
A note from Vivienne, Wisconsin Arts Board:
"The State Art Show was absolutely magnificent. It was magnificent to see the kids buzzing with excitement, pointing out their artworks to their families. It was magnificent to see parents and their children in deep discussions about the art, critiquing, admiring, talking about the different processes of oil paintings and metal engravings alike. It was magnificent to see SO many people in East Towne Mall supporting youths and art, of which both will empower and shape our state's future. It was magnificent to see so many different forms of expression, all unitied by the same passion for art. As Chris Gleason, Department of Public Instruction, put it, 'Learning about, and through, the arts is essential', and the 600+ youth artworks from across Wisconsin stands as a testament to that."
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This concludes our Youth Art Month 2025 celebrations!
Stay tuned for Jazz Month and Poetry Month celebrations on our socials (Instagram, Facebook) and our website in April...