When most schools think about fundraising, fall comes to mind first because it’s the beginning of a new school year. But for many art teachers, spring may actually be the better choice.
At Art to Remember, we’ve seen firsthand that spring fundraisers consistently perform just as well or better than fall programs. If you’ve been going back and forth on the best time to schedule your fundraiser, it might be time to commit to spring!
Students Often Create Their Strongest Artwork in Spring
Students’ skills grow throughout the year, and as an art teacher, that’s often one of the highlights of the job. You get to see kindergarten students become more confident with their drawing and brushstrokes. Elementary students graduate to new techniques, and older students have had months to refine their observation skills and explore more creative techniques.
By spring, students have had time to experiment and they understand how you run the classroom. They’re more open to producing pieces that will stand the test of time as family keepsakes. Great art naturally leads to great fundraising results because parents are able to celebrate how much their child has grown. It’s not just about purchasing a product. Their child’s craftsmanship is stronger, and everyone is genuinely proud of their progress!
Spring Gives Teachers a More Relaxed Timeline
Kicking off a new school year can feel overwhelming. You might be trying out new classroom routines or learning hundreds of new student names. Plus, there’s the never-ending task of organizing supplies and adjusting lesson plans. Adding a fundraiser into those first few months isn’t always in the picture.
Spring has a different sort of pace. Students already know the classroom expectations, so projects tend to run more smoothly. That gives teachers a little more flexibility with lessons. Even better, you can plan to receive your Art to Remember starter kit months in advance. You don’t have to wait until the weeks leading up to your program. Your starter kit will include free art paper, helpful art guidelines and lesson plans, a step-by-step program checklist, product samples and display posters. You’ll have everything you need for a successful program and the flexibility to build your fundraiser into your lesson plans whenever it works best for your classroom.
Families Are Ready to Celebrate the School Year
Spring is also an ideal time for families. They’re not dealing with back-to-school shopping costs, and schools usually won’t have competing fundraisers happening at the same time. That means parents and loved ones are in a better position to reflect on what their children have created throughout the year. The keepsakes naturally fit into all types of fun spring celebrations!
- Valentine’s Day
- Easter
- Mother’s Day
- Father’s Day
- Memories before students move up to a new grade
Parents and grandparents love personalized gifts, and with more than 60 keepsake options—many priced under $20—Art to Remember gives families access to meaningful pieces that fit almost any budget.
Hear Why a Spring Art Fundraiser Works for This School
“We have partnered with Art to Remember for the last 3 years, running both fall and spring programs. I found that families responded better to our spring fundraisers. The start of the school year is such a busy time for teachers, students, and families. While there’s merit to doing a program in the fall to promote holiday gift-giving, families have so much coming at them at that time of year and this is just one more thing to spend their money on. And in the slower weeks of winter and early spring, I have the bandwidth in the art room to really focus on Art to Remember projects, and families have the bandwidth to respond to the artwork and the program. As a result, we found that families spent more and ordered more in the spring!”
Kristin A., Art Teacher, Holy Family School
Self Portraits are a Parent Favorite
Spring is the perfect time for students to celebrate who they are through self-portrait art, creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake that captures their personality at this special age and grade. Families collect and savor this sentimental art on ornaments, canvas prints, mugs, magnets, and quilt blocks.
Three Spring Art Lessons Families Love
One of the best parts of a spring fundraiser is choosing projects that reflect the season. There are many spring-themed art projects that can be adapted to a variety of age levels – from tulips to butterflies, and rainbows to landscapes. Our free lesson plan library is full of ideas that translate beautifully into keepsakes. These are just a few perennial favorites:
1. Spring Birds
Our Spring Birds lesson plan allows students to experience monoprinting to create the textured silhouettes of two distinct birds. Students are able to explore the concept of symmetry and can personalize their artwork with flowers for spring or hearts for Valentine’s Day! The finished artwork is a hit on keepsakes like magnets and mugs.
2. Growth Mindset Planter Selfie
We love this creative self-portrait project for discussing color theory while letting students think about their personal growth. It’s an especially meaningful lesson leading into Mother’s Day. Families love the combination of creativity and positive messaging. The flowers can symbolize learning, confidence, perseverance, and anything else their child can imagine!
3. Bugs Life
A perfect seasonal choice, this lesson invites students to take a closer look at an insect’s natural habitat with a colorful bug illustration that’s filled with pattern and texture. These pieces tend to work great on keepsakes like garden flags and canvas prints.
Showcase Your Entire Art Program with a Virtual Art Show
One of the biggest advantages of a spring fundraiser isn’t just the keepsakes—it’s the opportunity to present student drawings from every grade level.
With Art to Remember’s Virtual Art Show, families can browse an online gallery featuring student artwork from across the school. It’s a wonderful way for parents to admire your art program as a whole. With parents being in the buildings less, this is a great way for them to admire the beauty coming out of the art room. You can also share the virtual gallery with your school admins, colleagues, and PTO groups.
Best of all, there’s no extra technology to manage. We handle the setup, so you don’t have to worry about building a website or scanning artwork on your own. From there, it’s easy for families to browse keepsake options and place orders online.
A Virtual Art Show is also a great companion to your in-person Art Show! With Art to Remember, you’ll have the option to print Art Show labels to affix beneath fundraising art that is on display at your Art Show. Each label includes a QR code that families can scan to view and order their child’s art!
Finish the Year Strong—and Start the Next One Even Stronger
With Art to Remember, schools can earn up to 38% back on every order, with no upfront costs or program fees. The funds you raise can help stock your classroom before students return in the fall or fund that special purchase you’ve been waiting for, like a kiln or drying racks. You can use artwork students have already completed or take advantage of our free art paper to create something new!
Our team can help you create a timeline that fits your school calendar, provide the materials you need, and support you every step of the way. Spring is more than just another fundraising season—it’s a chance to celebrate your students’ artistic growth while investing in even more creativity for the year ahead. Contact Us to get started!