The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration

The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration

Arts in Education Spring Celebration logo

The Gerald M. Brookhart (GMB) Arts in Education Spring Celebration provides a non-competitive forum for students PreK-12th grade to showcase bands, choruses, choirs, performances, dance, jazz, and the visual arts at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza, which has a lovely park-like setting, in downtown Peoria, Illinois. It heightens the community's awareness that the arts are an important component of our young people's development.

Students from 136 schools in seven counties across Central Illinois (Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Fulton, Marshall, Henry, and McLean) participate each year by performing, exhibiting, and demonstrating their talents in the Fine Arts and Applied Arts. 

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Counties across central illinois
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Public and private schools
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SCHOOL CHILDREN

The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration has been showcasing students talents in the arts for over 30 years. Each year over 12,000 area school children come to the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza in downtown Peoria to exhibit their artistic talents before audiences numbering in the thousands. It features over numerous performances including band, orchestra, choir, drama, dance, and speech. In addition to the performances, there are art exhibits and demonstrations that feature painting, drawing, collage, ceramics, metal works, fiber arts, weaving, photography, woodworking, drafting, horticulture, agriculture, home economics, food, and clothing.

The Spring Celebration is a harbinger of spring in Central Illinois. The Governor of Illinois, the Mayor of Peoria, and the Chairperson of the Peoria County Board proclaim the months of April and May: "GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration Months." This unique project has become a testimonial to the shared commitment to the arts.

Spring CELEBRATION 2024 STARTS in:

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Days

Our 2024 celebration will be held from April 22, 2024, through May 15, 2024, from 11am - 1pm each weekday.  Please join us in person at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza to witness firsthand the amazing talent of youth from all over Central Illinois!  


 
Upcoming Highlights
Jazz-Appreciation-Month-250

KICK-OFF and Celebration of International Jazz Month
at PEORIA RIVERFRONT museum

April 22, 2024   11am-1pm

Performing: Chillicothe Elementary and Jr. High, Germantown Hills, and Dunlap Valley Middle School.  
Special Guest Conductor: Mary Jo Papich, Jazz Education Network founder
All bands will receive a Masters' Class with Mary Jo Papich during their performance time.

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Celebration of International Jazz Day AT COURTHOUSE PLAZA

April 30, 2024

Featuring the Richwoods High School Jazz Band and the Eureka Middle School Jazz Band, Jazz Chorus, and Honors Chorus.

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peace Plays in Peoria

May 15, 2024

This special event will showcase many local middle school and high school artists and musicians that hope to spread the message of peace during these challenging times.

Photo Gallery for 2023

The pictures shared below are just a few of the highlights from the 2023 Spring Celebration.  To see pics from each day, please follow our Facebook page!


THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Caterpillar-Logo
peoria bar association
Kidder Music
Peoria Riverfront
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