International Children's Art and Writing Exchange

Every year we encourage cross-cultural communication by facilitating an art exchange for classrooms around the globe. Participating students are able to share their experiences and cultural knowledge with students in other countries through the creative arts and the written word.

How can I participate in the International Art Exchange?

1. Contact us by mail or email. Tell us your name, what city and country you are writing from, and how many students you would like to enroll in the Exchange.
2. We will then send you a Diplomatic Pouch which details all of the necessary information to get you started. The Pouch contains an instruction guide, an explanation of the theme and twelve paintings from our worldwide exchange.
3. After receiving the Diplomatic Pouch, we ask that you return some art to us within two months. Each painting encourages the students to share part of themselves with others around the world. When the art is mailed to paintbrush diplomacy their gift of art could go anywhere in the world.

Quick Facts about the International Art Exchange

• Anyone can participate in the International Art Exchange--children, youth, students, non-students, teachers. However, the majority of our participants are between the ages 5-18.
• You can enroll in the International Children's Art Exchange any time of the year;
• Each Art Exchange follows a certain theme, which serves to guide the cross-cultural conversation among participants;
• The Diplomatic Pouch (containing 12 pieces of international art and the Teacher's Guide) arrives first;
• Send art to Paintbrush Diplomacy no more than 2 months after receiving Diplomatic Pouch;
• You can submit as many paintings as you would like. However, we encourage as many individuals as possible to participate and paint a picture and/or write a letter.

2008-2009 Theme: The Music in My Life

Music is an integral part of the human experience. All over the world, music inspires and enlivens people of all ages. It is something that is special to each individual in a different way. This is why we think it will make a fantastic art project. Students can learn more about what music means to them by taking the time to turn in to art.

Through music we celebrate, love, mourn and often express our deepest desires and fears. Like all art, it truly is a universal language. Exploring the role of music in our lives provides an opportunity to think about what music means to us, and provides a glimpse into what music is like outside of our own country or culture. Like any exercise in cross-cultural awareness, there will be both many similarities and differences to explore.

The theme is meant to inspire not confine. Let your imagination run wild when it comes to creating. These themes help focus the program, and provide a sense of world unity and commonality among students. There are many great ideas for projects in our Teacher’s Guide. Please feel free to use any of these or come up with your own.  We look forward to seeing your creative ideas!

Past Exchange themes:

• 1995-1996: Children’s History of the United Nations and Global Family
• 1996-1997: Inventions, Inventors and Imagination
• 1997-1998: Global Diner: Foods of the World
• 1998-1999: Wonders of your World
• 1999-2000: World Beat: Music and dance around the world
• 2000-2001: United World
• 2003-2004: Freshwater and what it means to you and your environment
• 2004-2005: Sharing with Others
• 2005-2006: In My Shoes
  

Paintbrush Diplomacy draws from a global palette of more than 40 countries to exchange art among the world’s children. A partial list of participating nations includes: