The Kentucky Arts Council is awarding more than $50,000 to 10 community organizations that will provide hands-on arts programming to people 65 and older in its second round of funding through the Arts Access Assistance Grant.
"Creative aging and lifelong learning in the arts" was the theme for the fiscal year 2015 grant cycle. Arts Access Assistance Grants support arts programs that serve populations whose opportunities to experience the arts may be limited by age, geographic location, ethnicity, economic status, disability, or other factors. The grants offer funding to increase the resources of organizations that may currently serve the targeted population in other capacities.
"The Arts Access Assistance Grant is in its second year and has already demonstrated increased participation in the arts in the Commonwealth," said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director. "This is one way we are able to address our mission of fostering environments where all Kentuckians can enjoy the benefits of the arts."
Organizations receiving grants are:
Boone County Public Library, $4,800, will facilitate painting classes for people age 65 and older that will culminate in an exhibit of participants' work at the main library's art gallery for public viewing.
Boyd County Public Library, $1,500, will present Golden Artistry, a series of visual art workshops for library users 65 and older. Participants will receive fundamental instruction of an artistic medium and create their own work in watercolor, acrylic, collage or photography.
Campbell County Public Library, $8,000, will present a series of free performances at its Fort Thomas branch aimed at engaging senior populations. Performers are adjudicated participants in the arts council's Performing Arts Directory and include Looking for Lilith Theatre, The Bats musical ensemble, and jazz instrumentalists Jay Flippin and Gordon Towell.
Carter County Public Library, $4,892.25, will conduct a project using the creative process to document stories from participants' pasts using visual art, creative writing and film.
Council on Developmental Disabilities, Jefferson County, $8,000, will create an art and oral history project designed to engage and empower Kentuckians with disabilities who are 65 and older. The collaborative effort will involve artists, writers, historians, digital media students, social service agencies and older adults with disabilities.
Covington Ladies Home, Kenton County, $3,771, will present "Copy the Masters," a study of famous artists wherein participants will learn about an artist's life, replicate the artist's work and create a work of their own inspired by the artist's style or subject matter.
Gateway Area Development District, Rowan County, $7,500, will partner with the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State University and local governments in the region to offer musical programming and activities at six senior centers.
Monroe County Community Education, $8,000, will create a storytelling and theater project to record family histories of senior citizens that will be performed by Monroe Youth Theatre and will build relationships between older and younger generations.
Murray-Calloway County Endowment for Health Care, $6,000, will present a series of programming around the theme "Grace & Glory: A Celebration of Life," featuring hands-on arts experiences and programming for people 65 and older, as well as their caregivers. Theater, writing workshops, photography, dance and literature are part of the series.
Woodford County Library, $1,320, will present a cooperative program with the Woodford Community Senior Citizens Center. Participants will be provided instruction in drawing, watercolor, pottery and collage to create a personal memory collage.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
