The GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration

The Gerald M. Brookhart (GMB) Arts in Education Spring Celebration provides a non-competitive forum for students PreK-12th grade to showcase bands, choruses, choirs, performances, dance, jazz, and the visual arts in downtown Peoria, Illinois. It heightens the community's awareness that the arts are an important component of our young people's development.

The Spring Celebration is a harbinger of spring in Central Illinois. The Governor of Illinois, the Mayor of Peoria, and the Chairperson of the Peoria County Board proclaim the months of April and May: "GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration Months." This unique project has become a testimonial to the shared commitment to the arts.

Students from 136 schools in seven counties across Central Illinois (Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Fulton, Marshall, Henry, and McLean) participate each year by performing, exhibiting, and demonstrating their talents in the Fine Arts and Applied Arts in downtown Peoria before audiences numbering in the thousands. It features numerous performances including band, orchestra, choir, drama, dance, and speech. In addition to the performances, there are art exhibits and demonstrations that feature painting, drawing, collage, ceramics, metal works, fiber arts, weaving, photography, woodworking, drafting, horticulture, agriculture, home economics, food, and clothing.