THE YEA! MISSION

It is the mission of the Young Evanston Artists Foundation (YEA!) to provide the children of Evanston with a unique forum and experience for the exhibition and performance of their art. The YEA! goal is to nurture, enable and inspire the children we serve so that as they prepare themselves for the challenges of the future, they will do so with self-confidence, a creative spirit, and a caring heart. And in the hope of their doing so, we believe their influence will contribute to the well-being of their communities and their world.

Each year 40+ public, private and parochial schools, pre-school through high school, participate in the YEA! Festival. Held outdoors at Raymond Park, nearly 6,000 children are involved and over 4,000 people attend. Approximately 1,000 children participate in the visual arts and enjoy having the experience of seeing their art displayed in an art fair atmosphere. The performing arts involve as many as 400 children, singing, playing instruments, dancing and performing.