Objective: To provide children around the world a unique opportunity for introspection and expression of their creativity and imagination through art, and to provide their teachers and parents a common platform to inspire children to visualize and shape their future.
Overview: The International Child Art Foundation (ICAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing and supporting the innate creativity of every child in the world. ICAF’s ChildArt & Creativity Program has a three-year program cycle. It commences with a global art creation program, followed by an international children’s festival in Washington, DC, and culminates with exhibitions and national festivals worldwide. Over one million children in 86 countries participated in ICAF’s previous program (1997-2000). National child artists, their parents and teachers from 50 countries participated in ICAF’s international festival in Washington, DC in 1999. Since 1998, ICAF has organized over 40 exhibitions around the world. Children’s festivals inspired by the ICAF model have taken place in 12 countries to date.
Entry Requirements: The program is designed for children ages 8 to 12 since they face a profound “Creativity Risk,” which can only be averted if their creativity is carefully nurtured and encouraged. Children are invited to create paintings and drawings in any medium, approximately 18” x 24” (45cm x 60cm), on the theme, Me in the New Millennium. Children may participate in the program directly as ICAF Members. Please apply for ICAF Membership online at www.icaf.org, call (202) 530-1000 or write to ICAF at the address below.
Entry of Schools, Museums, Libraries, Art Centers and After-School Programs: Teachers are requested to ignite their students’ imaginations by having them create original paintings and drawings on the theme, Me in the New Millennium. These children should be inspired to address questions such as: “How do I see myself?” “How do I want the world to see me?” “What do I want to change?” “How should I be in the new millennium?” The artworks created under the program will shed light on issues of identity and projection, leading to a dialogue among the students themselves, and their teachers and parents. Exhibition of the artworks is strongly encouraged. Schools and organizations must select one School Artwork Entry and send it to ICAF before October 30, 2001 (involvement of students in the selection process is recommended). Please apply for ICAF Membership online at www.icaf.org, call (202) 530-1000 or write to ICAF at the address below.
Program Details: For complete program information and participation rules and regulations, please visit www.icaf.org or send an email to Program@icaf.org.
ChildArt & Creativity Festival: ICAF organizes the largest international children’s festival every three years on The National Mall in Washington, DC. The ChildArt & Creativity Festival 2002 will take place from June 29 to July 4, 2002. The festival starts with a welcoming celebration for the participants. Child artists, their parents and teachers from 30-40 U.S. states and 70-80 countries are expected to attend the festival. The following day ICAF’s International Children’s Creativity Summit will take place. The remaining four days of festivities will include “Imagination Day,” “Teachers and Grandparents Day,” “Mother Earth Day” and “Global Peace Day.” The festival setup will be comprised of “Exhibition on the Mall,” “Creativity Studio,” “World Stage for Children,” and “Multicultural Exposition.” It is anticipated that the festival will attract over 125,000 attendees.
Contact: ChildArt & Creativity Program and Festival details can be downloaded from ICAF’s website, www.icaf.org. If you need further information, please call (202) 530-1000, send an email to Program@icaf.org or write to Tim Bigelow, Director of ChildArt & Creativity Program.
1350 Connecticut Avenue, NW • Washington, DC 20036-1702 • USA
