Dance Ensembles

• ADE YAM Fest will be an outdoor event. Dance performances will take place on a laminate dance floor with dimensions of 28’ x 28’. 
• Each selected ensemble will be assigned a 60-minute time slot, which includes 20 minutes to set up, 20 minutes for the performance, and 20 minutes to tear down. A school may choose to feature more than one ensemble within their performance time slot if the total performance time does not exceed 20 minutes. Large ensembles, small ensembles, solos and duets are welcome. All genres and cultural styles are encouraged to apply. 
• Ensembles must submit titles, musical artists, and choreographers of intended performance selections on the submission form. Both student-choreographed pieces and those choreographed by teachers or guest artists are welcome.  
• Changing space will not be provided for costume changes. 
• Selected groups will submit performance recordings and images of costuming 45 days prior to the event date. Additional tech needs of selected groups will be assessed after selection. Large props will not be accommodated, but schools may choose to bring their own small props.  
• Submissions must include at least one URL (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) to a video of the ensemble recorded within the past 3 months. It is recommended that submitted recordings feature the intended YAM Fest performance selections, but this is not a requirement. Please adjust sharing settings so that the Office of Arts Education has access to view and hear the recording. We will not reproduce or share ensemble recordings.

 Music Ensembles

• ADE YAM Fest will be an outdoor event. Music performances may take place on concrete, and spaces range from approximately 40'x20' to 20'x20'. There will be a multi-level performing area for choirs.  
• Each selected ensemble will be assigned a 60-minute time slot, which includes 20 minutes to set up, 20 minutes for the performance, and 20 minutes to tear down. A school may choose to feature more than one ensemble within their performance time slot if the total performance time does not exceed 20 minutes. We are seeking a variety of ensembles such as bands, choirs, orchestras, mariachi and guitar. Large and small ensembles are welcome to apply. 
• Ensembles must provide titles and composers of intended performance selections on the submission form. Student compositions are welcome.  
• The following equipment will be provided - selectees will be responsible for bringing any additional equipment they require.  
  • Chairs and music stands for up to 55 instrumentalists 
  • PA with a single mic and auxiliary connection for recorded accompaniment 
• Submissions must include at least one URL (Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, etc.) to a recording of the ensemble recorded within the past 3 months. It is recommended that submitted recordings feature the intended YAM Fest performance selections. Please adjust sharing settings so that the Office of Arts Education has access to view and hear the recording. We will not reproduce or share ensemble recordings.   

 Theatre Ensembles

• ADE YAM Fest will be an outdoor event. Theatre performances will take place on concrete, with spaces ranging from approximately 40'x20' to 20'x20'.  
• Each selected ensemble will be assigned a 60-minute time slot, which includes 20 minutes to set up, 20 minutes for the performance, and 20 minutes to tear down. A school may choose to feature more than one ensemble within their performance time slot if the total performance time does not exceed 20 minutes. We are seeking a variety of performances, including monologues, duo scenes, group acting, solo, duet, group musical pieces and short plays. Student-written and student-directed pieces are welcome. 
• Ensembles must submit titles and playwrights of their intended performance selections on the submission form. Schools are responsible for securing any performance rights.  
• Changing space will not be provided for any costume changes. Wearing all black clothing is recommended. 
• PA with a single mic and auxiliary connection will be provided. Additional tech needs of selected groups will be assessed after selection. Schools will be responsible for bringing their own props. Theatre cubes, benches, chairs, and other necessary items must be physically transported to the space by hand. Large props will not be accommodated. 
• Submissions must include at least one URL (Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, etc.) to a video of the ensemble recorded within the past 3 months. It is recommended that submitted recordings feature the intended YAM Fest performance selections, but this is not a requirement. Please adjust sharing settings so that the Office of Arts Education has access to view and hear the recording. We will not reproduce or share ensemble recordings.   

Visual Art Pieces

• Submissions must be made by school personnel on behalf of student artists in grades 7-12.
• ADE YAM Fest will be an outdoor event at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza. Due to limited space, each teacher may submit up to 5 pieces for consideration. Not all submissions will be selected. To protect selected artwork from damage, images of visual art pieces will be displayed rather than the original pieces. Images of 2D and 3D artwork submissions are welcome. ADE cannot accept video or audio-recorded artwork at this time.  
• Submissions must include the URL (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) to at least one high-quality image of each piece that may be printed and displayed in the YAM Fest gallery if selected. Images will be displayed in 9”x12” frames. Images must be in PNG format, 300 dpi, with a minimum size of 5”x7”.  Sharing multiple images of 3D pieces is recommended to allow viewers to see all angles. Please adjust sharing settings so that the Office of Arts Education may view the images.  
• Schools are responsible for gaining parental/guardian consent to submit artwork entries. On the submission form, school staff will be asked to attest to having received their consent.  
• Artwork must be original and unaided. Any source imagery must be cited at the time of entry. Failure to properly reference source imagery may result in disqualification. 
• Artwork will be labelled with the following information provided by staff on the submission form: 
  • Student Artist First and Last Name (only first name will be displayed at YAM Fest and subsequently at ADE) 
  • Title of Piece 
  • Medium 
  • Size 
  • Artist Statement (max100 words) 
• After YAM Fest, selected artwork will be displayed in the Catherine "Rusty" Foley and Zarco Guerrero Student Art Gallery at the Arizona Department of Education's Jefferson Building, located at 1535 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006. 

 ADE YAM Fest 2025

Attendees at the Arizona Department of Education's 2025 Youth Arts Month festival gathered at the beautiful and historic Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza to enjoy original student artwork, performing ensembles from across Arizona, and an inspirational introduction by Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne. Check out a slideshow of the featured artwork and performances below. We look forward to celebrating the positive impact of arts education with you at ADE YAM Fest 2026!