23rd Annual YOUNG AT ART Festival

5/1/2009

Presented by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the Visual and Performing Arts Office of the San Francisco Unified School District

de Young
May 15–24, 2009

Media Contact:
Cheryl McCain, 415.750.3554, cmccain@famsf.org
Robin Wander, 415.750.2604, wrander@famsf.org


San Francisco, March 2009—The Visual and Performing Arts Office of the San Francisco Unified School District proudly unveils Young at Art; a nine-day celebration of student creativity in visual, literary, media, and performing arts hosted by the de Young from May 15–24. For the past twenty-three years, this unique San Francisco event (formerly San Francisco Youth Arts Festival) has been a point of destination for families, teachers, artists, and community members in the Bay Area. The San Francisco Unified School District's groundbreaking Arts Education Master Plan, which originated from the programming of Young at Art, promotes the equity and access of the arts in education for all students K–12.

Over 9,000 children from 250 schools throughout San Francisco will actively participate in Young at Art 2009. Of these participants, 2,000 youth will be showcased through the visual art exhibition, live performances on stage, and through literary and media arts. Over 150 volunteers help organize Young at Art events and approximately 15,000 people are expected to attend the festival over the course of the nine days. All students in San Francisco’s public, private, independent, and parochial schools are eligible to participate in Young at Art and all activities are free for the public. For more information, please contact Brynne Cortez at 415.420.0994 or brynnecortez@gmail.com. Visit our website at www.youngatartsf.com.

Highlights include:
 
Visual Art Exhibition
Artwork by 2,000 students, grades K–12th from San Francisco schools are on view in the de Young’s Kimball Education Gallery.

Performances
Over forty-five groups will perform during the nine-day festival. Choral groups, orchestras, dance ensembles and jazz bands will perform in two outdoor settings: the Music Concourse Band Shell and the de Young’s Koret Auditorium.

Media Arts
A film and video screening of works by students will be featured on Tuesday, May 19, in the Koret Auditorium. This event is presented in collaboration with the San Francisco Film Society Education Department.

Literary Arts
The literary arts event on Saturday, May 24, in the de Young’s Koret Auditorium will feature young writers reading their works of poetry and prose.

Hands on Art Activities
Hands on art activities with community artists will be offered from 10 am–1 pm on May 19–22 in the Music Concourse in front of the de Young.

Visiting the de Young
The de Young, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and located in Golden Gate Park, showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles, and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa.

Address:
Golden Gate Park
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118

Hours:
Tuesday–Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 am–5:15 pm
Friday: 9:30 am–8:45 pm
Closed on Monday

Admission:
$10 adults
$7 seniors
$6 youths 13-17 and students with a college I.D.
Members and children under 12 are free
The first Tuesday of every month is free
$10 special exhibition surcharge is additional

Information:
www.deyoungmuseum.org, 415.750.3600

The de Young is accessible to wheelchair users. For information, contact the ADA Coordinator: 415.750.7645 (voice) or 415.750.3509 (TTY)