Program Description
The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration is coordinated through the Regional Office of Education #48 and supported by the Friends of Peoria County ROE #48. It is held at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza.
During the spring and summer seasons, the Plaza has many lunchtime food vendors attracting thousands of midday diners. This landmark structure, located in the heart of Peoria’s business district, has a lovely park-like setting.
The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration serves as a non-competitive environment for showcasing the talents of area children that encourages participation in the arts at a formative time in their lives -- PreK through 12th grade. It also heightens the community's awareness that the arts are an important component of our young people’s development.
The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration has created public and private partnerships supporting Arts in education. This unique project has become a testimonial to our shared commitment to the arts.
The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration transforms the Courthouse Plaza with three staging areas where performances take place simultaneously. Exhibits and demonstrations are placed in prominent locations around the Plaza in addition to the stages.
The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration features over 250 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 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."
The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration was originally designed for schools in the Peoria County region. However, its advocacy for Arts in education quickly drew requests from surrounding counties for inclusion in the program. Over 12,000 students and more than 400 teachers participate each year.
The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration's growth is evidence of its success: In 1986, we showcased 1,000 students, 30 teachers, and 12 Peoria County schools in a one-week event; today, it showcases over 100 schools from seven Central Illinois counties.
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