High School Area Show Awards
Young Artists Activities
Join us once again as we celebrate art made by the youth of our community! This year, these two shows will be held jointly. Enjoyed by visitors of all ages, these shows have been a KIA tradition for over 40 years. We look forward to seeing our galleries filled with art from creative young talent.
Young Artists of Kalamazoo County features works by K-8 students and honors the dedication of public school art teachers. The High School Area Show welcomes submissions from all high school students residing in Allegan, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. The 2022 juror is Le Tran. Tran was awarded the honor of the 2021 National Secondary Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association, 2021 Michigan Art Education Association Art Educator of the Year, and the 2021 Michigan Art Education Association Secondary Art Educator of the Year.
Participation makes artists eligible to win scholarships for summer programs and college scholarships. This year, exactly $700,000 in student support was awarded. Starting with the 2022 High School Area Show, there will be a new scholarship in memory of local art educator Doris Miller. Miller inspired art students as a Kalamazoo Public School art teacher and as a KPS Art Administrator for over 40 years.