WASHINGTON, D.C. – VSA arts and CVS Caremark All Kids Can encourage children to share their creativity through a national call for art.

This year’s theme, “State of the Art,” invites young people ages 5–15 with and without disabilities to create art that shows the role they play within their communities.

All artwork submitted before the Feb. 5, 2010, deadline will be included in an online art gallery and considered for a national touring exhibition that will debut in Washington, D.C. in June 2010.

“Kids of all abilities can participate side by side in the process of creating art. This is a truly inclusive activity that invites young artists to express their engagement with their communities, and then to share their artwork in the online gallery,” said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. “The focus of this program is on creativity and inclusivity.”

The submissions received for the “State of the Art” call will be included within this exhibition in an interactive kiosk. In addition, teachers who submit their students’ artwork are eligible to receive one of five $1,000 cash awards for use in their classroom.

This exhibition will feature artwork selected from every state and the District of Columbia. The 51 featured artists will be invited to an opening reception in Washington, D.C. and will have a chance to join in the largest celebration of the arts and disability in the world: the 2010 International VSA arts Festival.

“Each year our partnership with VSA arts gets better and better as we engage more and more young people on the value of creative expression. Now in its third year, our ‘State of the Art’ program’s promotion of inclusion in our classrooms and communities has helped thousands of children of all abilities reach their goal of creating and expressing their artistic vision,” says Eileen Howard Dunn, senior vice president of Community Relations for CVS Caremark. “We continue to be passionate advocates for this program and are thrilled to be a part of the enthusiasm and excitement the children bring to the process each year.”

This call for art is part of VSA arts’ and CVS Caremark’s yearlong campaign, All Kids Can…CREATE!, which promotes inclusive learning and community engagement through artist-in-residence programs in schools and through community volunteer activities with CVS Caremark employees.

To find out more, please visit www.vsarts.org/allkidscancreate or call 202-628-2800.