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.

2010 Theme: Outside My Window

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 Participating

• 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.
• Annual theme starts in January and continues until the end of the calendar year.
• Art projects do not have to follow our annual theme.
• You may begin your project at any time of the year.
• We recommend students be in 4th grade or above (8 to 16 years old).
• Schools in the USA will be charged $35.00 for one classroom or $50.00 for two classrooms; No charge for classrooms outside the USA.
• The Diplomatic Pouch arrives first with 12 to 15 pieces of art from around the world.
• After receiving the Diplomatic Pouch you have two months to complete your art project.
• There is no limit to how many paintings you can include in your art project.
• Mail your art project to Paintbrush Diplomacy, and we will send it out in our future Diplomatic Pouches to other students around the world.

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:

Past Exchange Themes:

• 2008-2009: The Music in My Life
• 2005-2006: In My Shoes
  
• 2004-2005: Sharing with Others
• 2003-2004: Freshwater and what it means to you and your environment
• 2000-2001: United World
• 1999-2000: World Beat: Music and dance around the world
• 1998-1999: Wonders of your World
• 1997-1998: Global Diner: Foods of the World
• 1996-1997: Inventions, Inventors and Imagination
• 1995-1996: Children’s History of the United Nations and Global Family