Tucson’s vibrant arts scene thrives on the creative energy of its youth, and nowhere is this more evident than at the University of Arizona Museum of Art’s annual “Our Stories” exhibition.

For high school artists across Tucson and Pima County, this exhibition represents much more than a showcase of their talents. It is an opportunity to have their voices heard, their creativity recognized, and their future paths illuminated. 

The 2025 “Our Stories” exhibition, running from Feb. 15 to May 17, offers a platform for young artists to share their personal narratives while competing for the prestigious Outstanding Emerging High School Artist Award, which includes a $1,000 tuition award to the University of Arizona’s School of Art.

This year’s exhibition features 52 student artists and brings renewed focus on the importance of art in schools. In the face of ongoing budget cuts to art programs, exhibitions like this serve as a reminder of the critical role art education plays in fostering creativity and emotional expression. For five exceptional artists, the exhibition offers not only the honor of having their work displayed but also the opportunity to further their artistic journey at the School of Art in the next two years.

High school art teachers like Lisa Hastreiter-Lamb of Pueblo Magnet High School and Michael Speir of Sabino High School have seen firsthand the impact that events like “Our Stories” have on their students.

“It’s really important to have exhibits and opportunities like this because so many students don’t know what opportunities exist in the arts,” shes said, adding that there are intellectual benefits of art for students. “It offers a lot in terms of intellectual stimulus and becoming aware of opportunities in fine arts and exhibitions.”

Speir believes that art offers students more than just a creative outlet, it’s an opportunity for personal and academic growth.

“When they complete a successful piece in class, it’s something they can reflect on,” Speir said. “It’s something that’s quality and obviously shows achievement. But when you see a work of art in a museum that’s hanging in view of Mark Rothko, it really shines a bright light on that success.” 

Speir also sees art as a foundation for broader academic success.

“In education, we want them to be successful at anything they do. So when that piece hangs in the museum, that’s obviously indicative of success. And my attitude is always that success leads to success. If they have a great achievement in my class, that might open their minds to thinking that they could have great achievements in all of their classes,” he said.

Beyond the classroom, art exhibitions offer students the validation of seeing their work valued by the community.

“I think it definitely draws awareness to the fact that these art programs exist. When the public goes in and sees the quality of the work that students are doing throughout the city, it helps illustrate that there is something that matters that maybe they hadn’t considered before,” Speir added.

Allie Hughston, a visual arts teacher at Sahuaro High School, said exposure to professional settings can motivate students.

“I believe it gives them an increase in motivation and allows them to strive to put more into their artwork. If they know it will be shown in a professional setting, they will put more effort into their work,” she said. 

However, she also acknowledged the challenges facing art programs, such as limited funding, which can impact the materials and experiences available to students.

“More support and advocacy are always needed. We need steady funding to offer students a wide variety of materials and experiences they may otherwise not have access to,” she said.

Speir also emphasized the importance of art in shaping the cultural climate of schools.

“One of the things I try to do at this school is incorporate lots of public artworks,” he said. “Some of my motivation is to elevate the cultural climate of the school. Having good art in the public sphere lends a positive influence on the cultural health of the place.”

Both Speir and Hughston acknowledge that limited financial resources pose a significant challenge to art education.

“It does affect the overall quality,” Speir said. “If we had more money, we would be able to buy better materials, better tools, and make art that was bigger, better, and more compelling. But we live in the world that we live in, and so we just deal with it.”

High school art programs such as those at Tucson High Magnet School and Pueblo Magnet High School receive little to no revenue for their art programs, according to the Tucson Unified School District’s transparency reports. From July to December 2024, the Pueblo Magnet High School art program received no funding, while other programs like yearbook and student council maintained fund balances of over $15,000 and $37,000, respectively. Similarly, the Tucson High Magnet School art program had no notable revenue, while the football program maintained a balance of over $15,000 during the same period.

Willa Ahlschwede, the assistant curator of education and public programs at the University of Arizona Museum of Art, also highlighted the growing importance of the “Our Stories” exhibition, which has expanded significantly since its inception in 2018.

“We focused on high schoolers since we knew we could connect with the amazing high school art teachers around town and offer an opportunity to share their work beyond the classroom,” she said.

This year’s exhibition, featuring 52 artists, marks the largest participation yet.

“I really appreciate seeing the range of different interests and creative ways to use materials,” Ahlschwede said. “We get a glimpse into what young people are thinking, experiencing, and what they believe is important to talk about.”

In addition to celebrating the artistic achievements of students, the exhibition offers them a platform to engage with broader social issues. Ahlschwede said many of this year’s submissions reflect themes explored by contemporary artist Hank Willis Thomas, whose work addresses representation, inequality and love as a force for change. Students were encouraged to incorporate these themes into their work, resulting in pieces that touch on subjects like immigration and LGBTQ rights.

As the exhibition continues to grow, Ahlschwede said it’s important to provide more opportunities for local students to showcase their work.

“There are still schools, teachers, and students that I would love to connect with,” she said. “Any chance to showcase youth art is an opportunity to get people excited about art and its impact on students.”

The 2025 “Our Stories” exhibition serves as more than just a showcase, it’s a celebration of creativity, a reminder of the value of art in education and a beacon of hope for young artists. Through their work, these students give us a glimpse into their worlds and the future they’re helping to shape.

For more information on the 2025 “Our Stories” exhibition, visit https://artmuseum.arizona.edu/learn/k-12/our-stories-high-school-art. 

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.