International Children’s Art and Writing Exchange
Every year, schools and travelers all over the world engage in children’s art and writing exchanges with the guidance and direction of Paintbrush Diplomacy. All of the artworks produced are connected by an annual theme, allowing the children to share particular aspects about their lives and to share what they wish to see for the future.
2012 Theme: How Water Connects Us
Our theme for 2012 is “How Water Connects Us,” which encourages our artists not only to show each other what their favorite water animals or water activities are but also to engage in pictorial dialogues concerning the importance of water to everyone’s environment and all organic life.
How Can I Participate in the Art Exchange?
- If you are a university who is interested in implementing PBD’s art exchange as a part of your study abroad program, please visit the University Diplomat Program under the Programs tab above for more information.
- If you are a traveler and wish to facilitate an art exchange in a country other than the U.S., please visit the Traveling Diplomat under the Programs tab above for more information.
- If you are a teacher or a school and would like to facilitate an Exchange with your classrooms, please contact us. Tell us your name, what city and country you are writing from, and how many students you would like to enroll in the Exchange.
- 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 artwork from our worldwide exchange.
- 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 gifts of art could go anywhere in the world.
Quick Facts About Participating
- Anyone can participate in the International Art Exchange – children, youths, students, non- students, or teachers. However, the majority of our participants are between the ages 8-18.
- It is FREE to join the exchange in 2012! But we welcome any and all donations. If you’d like to donate, please visit our Donate page under the ‘Participate’ tab.
- The 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).
- 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.
Exchange History
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:
Argentina – Austria – Bhutan – Brazil – Bulgaria
Chile – China – Columbia – Costa Rica – Czech Republic
Denmark – Ecuador – El Salvador – Estonia – Finland
France – Germany – Guatemala – Haiti – Hong Kong
Hungary – Iceland – India – Ireland – Israel
Italy – Jamaica – Japan – Mexico – Nepal
Panama – Peru – Philippines – Poland – Russia
Scotland – South Korea – Spain – Sri Lanka – Sudan
Sweden – Tanzania – Thailand – Tunisia – U.S.A.
Ukraine – Wales – Zimbabwe
Past Exchange Themes:
• 2012: Trees Speak Around the World
• 2010: Outside my Window
• 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
