The Art That Moves People initiative, a joint project between Aldine ISD and Houston METRO, has been highlighted in the May/June 2024 edition of Texas School Business magazine. This program aims to engage students in designing bus shelter artworks that represent their school pride and encourage future artistic pursuits. Through this contest, students are encouraged to consider how their artwork can positively impact their community by creating a public display that connects their work to their school campus. Winning designs are showcased in local METRO bus shelters, becoming a permanent feature of the community and instilling pride in the school while inspiring future artists and exciting the community.
The competition is judged based on a rubric that emphasizes the importance of showcasing the school’s culture, values, and strengths to the community. Students participating in the contest design bus shelter artwork with an emphasis on engaging a diverse audience on a daily basis. The initiative is a collaborative effort between METRO and AISD to bring public art to the community, highlighting the rich diversity of Aldine ISD students and encouraging them to create art that reflects their cultural backgrounds and personal experiences.
Kaileigh Newman, Director of Visual Arts at Aldine ISD, emphasizes the significance of this contest in validating students’ artistic abilities, building an arts community, and providing a platform for students to express their cultural identity. The program promotes inclusivity and diversity by allowing students to contribute to their community and share their unique stories through art installations. To read more about this innovative initiative and see examples of student designs, visit Texas School Business (Pages 24-24).