Eight schools across the Commonwealth will receive a Teaching Art Together grant from the Kentucky Arts Council to conduct artist residencies with students during this school year.
The Teaching Art Together grant allows Kentucky teachers to collaborate with practicing, professional artists from the arts council’s Teaching Artists Directory. Artists design and implement one- to four-week residencies at schools that are awarded the grants.
Retired teacher and school librarian Diana Mills, who was the grant writer for Barbourville City School, said the grant program plays an important role in broadening the educational horizons of Knox County students.
“We live in southeast Kentucky and we don’t necessarily embrace our own culture,” Mills said. “I like the opportunity Teaching Art Together gives us to emphasize our own culture here while studying others.”
Mills added that studying the arts can level the academic playing field for students.
“When you bring the arts into the classroom and give a child a chance, it lets them be a star for that day,” Mills said. “The arts provide invaluable creative and educational opportunities.”
Schools receiving Teaching Art Together grants, including county, amount and visiting artist(s) include:
Barbourville City School, Knox, $2,400, basket weaver Dianne Simpson, writer Judy Sizemore and blacksmith Bob Montgomery
Clay County Middle School, Clay, $1,200, basket weaver Dianne Simpson and writer Judy Sizemore
Flat Lick Elementary School, Knox, $1,200, basket weaver Dianne Simpson and writer Judy Sizemore
McKee Elementary School, Jackson, $1,200, basket weaver Dianne Simpson and writer Judy Sizemore
Owsley County High School, Owsley, $1,200, musician Mitch Barrett, graphic artist Alfredo Escobar
Owsley County Elementary School, Owsley, $1,800, musician Mitch Barrett, storyteller Octavia Sexton and multimedia artist Carrie Neumayer
Sand Gap Elementary School, Jackson, $600, musician Susan Mullins
Tyner Elementary School, Jackson, $1,200, musician Carla Gover and writer Judy Sizemore
The deadline for the next round of Teaching Art Together grants is Oct. 14.
More information about the Teaching Art Together grant can be found on the arts council website or by contacting Jean St. John, arts council arts education director, at jean.stjohn@ky.gov or 502-564-3757 ext. 486.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, fosters environments 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. The arts council is celebrating 50 years of service in 2016.
(story provided by Kentucky Arts Council)
