P.S. Art 2012: Celebrating the Creative Spirit of New York City Kids

This year marks the tenth anniversary of P.S. Art, an annual juried exhibition of talented young artists from New York City's public schools. This selection showcases the creativity of seventy-six K through 12 students from all five boroughs and includes paintings, prints, sculptures, mixed-media works, collages, and drawings. Each piece represents a unique expression of imagination and ability.

This exhibition is also a celebration of public school achievement in the arts. These works were submitted by art teachers throughout the city and demonstrate development toward standards outlined in the Department of Education's Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Visual Arts. We received 786 entries, which a panel of arts specialists from the Department of Education and Studio in a School narrowed down to 327 semifinalists. After careful review and thoughtful discussion, a jury of distinguished members of the New York City arts community, including staff of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, chose the works on display in the tenth anniversary exhibition, P.S. Art 2012.

Young people come to art classes with their own experiences, memories, and ideas as inspiration. Dedicated art teachers support students' creativity, helping them to look closely and respond to their worlds through art making. As students take art classes from one year to the next, they increase their understanding of art, sharpen their skills, and delve more deeply into their imaginations. This exhibition celebrates their journeys and discoveries from early childhood to young adulthood.

The New York City Department of Education and The Fund for Public Schools would like to thank The Metropolitan Museum of Art for generously mounting, hosting, and helping to select works for this exhibition in the Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education. The New York City Department of Education and The Fund for Public Schools also thank Bank of America for its support and gratefully acknowledge The Studio in a School Association, Inc. for its sponsorship and substantial role in the coordination of P.S. Art 2012.