In 2011, more than 6,000 Michigan children participated in a cross-cultural exchange through the Michigan 4-H Children’s Art Exchange with Binzhou in Shandong Province, China. The participants came from 43 schools and after-school groups in 18 counties.

To measure the impact of the exchange on the children, 31 educators (teachers, club leaders and other adult educators representing 60 percent of the participating groups) completed an evaluation. Using a rating scale of Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree and Strongly Disagree, 100 percent of the educators strongly agreed or agreed that because of participation in the Michigan 4-H Children’s Art Exchange, their children:

• Have increased knowledge of how to talk about art.
• Have increased awareness that art communicates ideas, feelings and stories.
• Gained new knowledge about China.
• Would like to know more about China and Chinese children.

A slightly smaller percent (97) of the educators strongly agreed or agreed that because of participating in the Michigan 4-H Children’s Art Exchange, their children “have increased awareness that there are similarities between themselves and Chinese children.”

Pictured above is Bonnie, aged 7, of Chippewa County, with her picture “"Sunset on Lake Superior," while the photograph to the left shows 7-year-old Logan, from Hillsdale County, holding his picture "Sports Page - American Football."

The pictures that this year’s participants sent to China will be posted on the Michigan 4-H Youth Development Web site in the fall. In the meantime, you may view the 2010 Michigan Children’s Art Exchange or the 2009 Michigan Children’s Art Exchange. (To browse through these pictures, press the right and left arrow keys to advance or go back.)