The Art That Moves People initiative, a collaboration between Aldine ISD and Houston METRO, has been highlighted in the May/June 2024 edition of Texas School Business. This project engages students in creating bus shelter artworks that showcase their school pride and inspire future artistic endeavors. By prompting students to think about how their artwork can impact their community, the contest creates a public product that links their work to the campus. Winning designs are displayed on local METRO bus shelters, becoming a permanent fixture that fosters pride and supports young artistic talents, inspiring and exciting the community.
The competition involves students designing bus shelter artwork that will be installed on their local METRO bus shelter with a focus on engaging a diverse audience. The initiative is judged based on a rubric that aims to portray the school culture, highlighting core values and strengths to the community. The Art That Moves People Art Design Contest is a joint effort by METRO and AISD to bring public art to stakeholders and celebrate the rich diversity of the Aldine community. By encouraging students to create art that reflects their cultural backgrounds and personal experiences, the initiative promotes a sense of belonging and unity.
Kaileigh Newman, Aldine ISD director of visual arts, emphasized how the contest validates students’ artistic abilities, builds an arts community, and provides a platform for students to express their cultural identities. By empowering students and fostering inclusivity and diversity, the contest allows students to contribute to the community’s mosaic of stories. To read more about this unique initiative or view examples of student designs, click HERE for an article written by Newman and Bradley S. Kaplan in Texas School Business.
