SAN FRANCISCO—The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are proud to announce that their signature children’s event, the de Youngsters Art Party, has been awarded the prestigious Innovation in Education Award by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM.) Now in its ninth iteration, the event is the primary source of funding for family programs at the de Young and Legion of Honor museums.

Due to shelter-in-place restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museums reimagined the 2021 event to a digital format, opening art-making activities to all through a five-day online series of art projects. In addition, families could purchase an Art Box filled with supplies that included traditional origami paper, tattoo stickers, Moleskine notebooks, traditional paints, and more that directly correlated with the digital activities, to be delivered to participants’ homes. With the mission to bring arts education programs to thousands of Bay Area students, the Museums teamed up with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and Contra Costa, DrawBridge, and the San Francisco Unified School District Art Department to donate 1,200 additional boxes. The 2021 event raised $450,000 for the Museums, breaking previous fundraising records.

The Innovation in Education Award from the American Alliance of Museums’ (AAM) Education Professional Network (EdCom) was given to organizations for demonstrating innovation and impact in response to supporting audiences during the pandemic.

In 2022, the event will morph into a free family day, offering extensive art-making activations to all. Following the format of an open house, art activities (for grades K–8) will be offered on a Saturday this Spring, in partnership with local artists and community partners. Activities will include art programs to develop curiosity and empowerment, free admission to all exhibitions on view at the de Young, a student art exhibition, on-site art activities led by the Museums’ teaching artists, special collaborations with local Bay Area makers, live music, and more.

About the de Youngsters Art Party
The de Youngsters Art Party underwrites family programs at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

About the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, comprising the de Young in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, are the largest public arts institution in San Francisco.

The de Young originated from the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition in Golden Gate Park and was established as the Memorial Museum in 1895. It was later renamed in honor of Michael H. de Young, who spearheaded its creation. The present copper-clad landmark building, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, opened in October 2005. It holds the institution’s significant collections of American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts from the 17th to the 21st centuries; arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas; costume and textile arts; and international modern and contemporary art.

Media Contact
Press Office, press@famsf.org \ 415.750.3603

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