Mission Statement
Arts Alive is the West Virginia Department of Education’s annual event to showcase outstanding arts education programs and student achievements in public schools. The work included in Arts Alive is selected from state arts conferences, festivals and exhibits throughout West Virginia; a competitive submission process; and/or by invitation. Arts Alive is in its fourteenth year and has expanded collaborations and interdisciplinary partnerships to include work from the following areas: Dance, Music, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, Theatre and Visual Art. Students perform and exhibit work before an audience of students, family members, educators, policy makers, leaders, advocates and philanthropists.
Arts Alive aims to support developing and established arts programs in public schools throughout West Virginia; inspire local education systems to embrace the arts as an essential part of every child’s education; and empower the broader learning community to advocate for comprehensive arts education in public schools.
Arts Alive is dedicated to arts education in West Virginia and remains committed to providing a venue where the arts are paramount, inspired teaching is honored, and the work of young artists is celebrated.

Save the Date
If you have further questions contact:
Dr. Raymond Lowther, Coordinator – The Arts
West Virginia Department of Education
ray.lowther@k12.wv.us
(O) 304-558-5325
(C) 402-525-8357
Submission Information
If you have a student(s) or large group ensemble you would like to be considered for Arts Alive 2021, please complete the application form by selecting the appropriate link below. Submission criteria and information are given on the form page.
Area | Deadline | Contact | Digital Submission |
---|---|---|---|
Poster | February 27, 2021 – 11:59 p.m. (Acceptance notification will be on or before February 23, 2021) |
Dr. Ray Lowther ray.lowther@k12.wv.us |
Application Form |
Music | April 19, 2021 – 11:59 p.m. | William Cosby wcosby@k12.wv.us |
Application Form |
Dance | May 1, 2021 – 11:59 p.m. | Dr. Ray Lowther ray.lowther@k12.wv.us |
Application Form |
Visual Art | April 16, 2021 – 11:59 p.m. | Katy Crim kcrim@k12.wv.us |
Application Form |