Since inception in 2016, Kids Tag Art has raised more than $260,000 for elementary art classrooms in Lee County.
Each year, the Lee County Tax Collector and The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools partner with elementary art teachers in the School District of Lee County to present the Kids Tag Art program.
This program gives fifth grade students an opportunity to create a unique design that is then made into a front-end license plate that can be purchased by family members, friends, and members of the community. All proceeds, more than $260,000 since 2016, are distributed to participating elementary school art teachers for their classrooms.
Kids Tag Art is designed to teach children how art is used in commerce, as exhibited by the 100+ specialty license plates in Florida which raise money for different causes like environmental organizations, health initiatives, sports foundations, and public schools.
The inspiration for Kids Tag Art began in 2002 when Joe Tedder, Tax Collector for Polk County, encouraged his staff to get involved in the Great American Teach-In, where community leaders were invited into classrooms across the county. It has since expanded to other counties in the state, including Lee. We are proud to have a program that brings business, students, families, and government together to increase awareness and support art in education.
Any business can support the program through tax deductible sponsorships administered by The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc. Get involved today and become a sponsor by contacting Katie Barham at [email protected].
Family, friends, and the community can buy the license plates using order forms sent home with students, or on the Lee County Tax Collector’s website.
Winning designs are chosen by a panel of artists from the community, and two students from each school are given the Award of Distinction at a special ceremony each Spring. In addition to the Award of Distinction, four other special awards are given out:
TAX COLLECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD: The Lee County Tax Collector personally selects one Award of Distinction recipient to be honored with the “Tax Collector Choice Award.” This award is presented to the student whose design is well-developed with bold, colorful art (no graphic lettering allowed), and portrays the character of the Kids Tag Art initiative. This tag will be displayed on the front bumper of the Honorable Noelle Branning’s personal vehicle and in the Tax Collector Downtown Service Center.
THE FOUNDATION FOR LEE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD: The FLCPS “Design Excellence Award” is presented to one student whose design best represents giving back to the community and what community means to the student. The winning design will be displayed at the Foundation office for 12 months.
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY’S EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD: The Superintendent of Schools will honor one student whose creative design best illustrates the power of education. The honoree will have their tag displayed at the Lee County Public Education Center for 12 months.
SUNCOAST CREDIT UNION’S SUNNY FUTURE AWARD: The Suncoast Credit Union’s Sunny Future Award will honor one student whose creative expression best illustrates an idea of what the school of the future will look like.
And finally, why should students have all the fun? Teachers can also get in on the action by designing an arts education themed plate. The winner will also receive a special honor at our Spring Ceremony.
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