County funding supports high school artists exhibition and education program
SAN JOSE – New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) will be conducting greater outreach to students attending lower income Title I schools to encourage participation in ArtNow, an annual juried Santa Clara County high school art exhibition and educational program, thanks to a grant from Santa Clara County.
The grant, which was proposed by County Supervisor Joe Simitian, will enable NUMU to translate communications and exhibit materials into Spanish and Vietnamese, enhance the Teen Council internship program, and develop an ArtNow Teacher Roundtable program to connect teachers and encourage resource sharing throughout the county.
“Student artists in our County are doing extraordinary things,” said Simitian. “Their art gives voice to thoughts, feelings, and values. NUMU’s expanded competition helps develop young artists, foster a greater appreciation for the arts and develop marketable skills for the workplace. Really, it’s a winner all around.”
Since 2012, the ArtNow exhibition and supporting programs offer opportunities for high school student artists, from Palo Alto to Gilroy, to gain real-world experience in participating in a juried museum exhibition. Each year, a new theme is chosen for the exhibition and students are asked to submit works based on that theme. Scholarships and awards are given to select participating students. Accepted student artists have the opportunity to win awards in eight artistic categories, as well as an overall Best in Show award and a People’s Choice award.
“Thanks to the County's generosity, we’ve expanded access to Title I schools by addressing barriers to participation, including translating key materials to make the process more inclusive. This support has also strengthened connections among art educators that will culminate in a Teachers Roundtable this spring,” said Kimberly Synder, Executive Director of NUMU. “ArtNow thrives because it empowers emerging artists, affirming the value of their voices and work. With the County’s support, we’ve made the exhibition more accessible, fostering meaningful relationships between teachers and students and ensuring more students can experience the transformative power of sharing their creativity with the community.”
The ArtNow 2025 theme is Dreamscapes and was created in partnership with the ArtNow Teen Council. NUMU invites high school students across the County to submit a work of art responding to how art can reflect one’s dreams, and how one’s dreams reflect hopes, fears, values, environment, and aspirations.
Submissions of artwork in the following categories will be accepted until Sunday, February 2, 2025: (1) drawing; (2) digital art; (3) mixed media; (4) painting; (5) photography; (6) printmaking; (7) sculpture; and, (8) video/animation. ArtNow 2025 will open to the public on Friday, April 4, 2025 at New Museum Los Gatos, located at 106 E. Main Street in Los Gatos.
Learn more about the ArtNow 2025 submission requirements and timeline at www.numulosgatos.org/artnow.