School Screenings

Engaging and Inspiring Youth With the Film

The documentary Minnie Evans: Draw or Die can be used as a powerful learning tool across disciplines. The documentary — its title comes from a mysterious voice Evans heard asking, "Why don't you draw or die?" — coincides with a national resurgence of interest in Evans' work, with multiple touring museum exhibitions.

Each educational use license includes:

❋ Lesson Plans: developed with the Cameron Art Museum: 

The lesson plans encourage close looking, critical thinking, and personal reflection while connecting Evans’s work to broader themes such as perseverance, identity, cultural history, and the role of imagination in social and emotional life. Whether used in art, history or science classrooms, this guide aims to help students engage thoughtfully with the film and recognize the transformative power of creativity in their own lives and communities.
Lesson plan themes include: 
• Early Minnie Evans Design Art 
• Collaborative Grid Drawing 
• Gathering an Oral History
• Observing Nature Like Minnie Evans
CONTACT US ABOUT EDUCATIONAL PURCHASE

❋ Digital Download of the Film

The film balances entertainment with education, weaving history and insight in a way that feels modern, accessible, and meaningful for young audiences.

❋ Toolkit

Materials to help you promote your school event include a downloadable movie poster, press release template, stills from the film and more.

❋ Speakers

In some locations, Director Linda Royal, Co-Producer Dr. Elizabeth Penton, or Evans’ family members in the film, may be able to attend and speak at your school.

The film’s vibrant visuals, engaging storytelling, and familiar settings helped students align with Evans, making her legacy feel personal and relevant.

In our pilot screenings with 5th grade viewers, an overwhelming 90% of students surveyed deemed it important for their peers to see the film, recognizing its educational and inspirational value.

The documentary is a powerful tool for inspiring creativity and accentuating the importance of underrepresented voices in art.

Evans’ story, resilience, spiritual vision, and use of everyday materials deeply resonated with students, proving that artistic success is possible regardless of background or resources.

  • "I think it was special because she saw things differently."

    5th grader

  • "I learned that she did not have much to work with but she made it work and her art is beautiful."

    5th grader

  • "*I Liked how it included Minnie Evans’ real voice."

    5th grader

The Minnie Evans: Draw or Die Youth Impact Program is an initiative to provide the film, lesson plans and screening toolkit to select schools that lack funding and at-risk youth programs in or near Wilmington, NC and New York City at no cost. Our goal is to raise $100,000 in 2026 for the program.

Thanks to Women Moving Millions Matching Art Catalyst Grant, we are already half way to our goal! We are immensely grateful to the film's Executive Producer, Andrea Arria-Devoe for her matching grant to make this possible.

Tax-deductible donations to the youth impact program can be made through non-profit Southern Documentary Fund. We thank you for your support!

Youth Impact Program

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