Extension
It Starts With Us
Pike County Arts Advancement
Community and Economic Development
Porter, Schuler
Artistic & Essential Skill Development
Advancing the Creative Economy
Community Design/Creative Placemaking
Quality Arts Engagement & Experiences
The Pike County Extension Council identified music and arts diversification, handcrafted artisan awareness and expanding arts to the community as a need for the county. There has been a sharp decline in the arts program in our schools. We are committed to educating and empowering citizens through the arts as well as enhancing the community and economic development of our communities through arts programming.
Increase in essential skills for students and adults: critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsibility. Increased attendance in arts activities. Increase in leadership skills. Increase in tourism. Communities will gain public art installations.
Increase in knowledge of music, drama, and/or visual arts. Increased attendance in arts programming. Increase in knowledge for artists in marketing and finance.
Increased awareness of arts programming. Business support of events. Word of mouth and marketing of events increases. Family participation increases in events.
Outcome - initial: new arts programming and events
Indicator: schedule/reporting
Method: classes, venues, events
Timeline: Spring 2021 and ongoing
Outcome - intermediate: increased knowledge of arts, better quality of life
Indicator: observation, reports, event participation
Method: surveys, sign-in sheets
Timeline: Fall 2023 through Summer 2024
Outcome – long-term: Artists benefit financially. Marketing of products and skills increase. Tourism money spent increases. Interest in arts activities increases.
Indicator: Increase in sales for artists. Increase in event participation. Arts events are well attended.
Method: surveys, interviews, sign-in sheets
Timeline: Early 2025
Audience: artists and entrepreneurs
Project or Activity: financial and business classes
Content or Curriculum: Small Business Development Center, UK
Inputs: teachers, guest speakers
Date: Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
Audience: community
Project or Activity: Artisan Markets
Content or Curriculum: public spaces
Inputs: artists, small businesses
Date: Summer 2023, 2024, 2025
Audience: community
Project or Activity: Myers Towers art classes
Content or Curriculum: programs for seniors, those with disabilities and/or lower socioeconomic status
Inputs: The APP, agent and paid staff, city employees, artists
Date: Spring 2022 - Fall 2024
Audience: families
Project or Activity: Toddler activity night
Content or Curriculum: arts activities for kids and parents
Inputs: agent and paid staff led
Date: Fall 2024 and monthly
Audience: community
Project or Activity: Community Arts
Content or Curriculum: arts activities for all ages, Facebook Live art
Inputs: agent and paid staff led
Date: monthly through 2023 and 2024
Audience: community
Project or Activity: Blood Song play
Content or Curriculum: script, director-led instruction
Inputs: volunteers, paid staff, artists
Date: July and August, yearly
Audience: stringed instrument and vocal artists
Project or Activity: Appalachian Symphony
Content or Curriculum: trained volunteer led lessons/curriculum
Inputs: teachers, volunteers
Date: weekly meetings 2023 and 2024
Audience: Youth Ages 4-19
Project or Activity: Theatre and Expressive Arts
Content or Curriculum: Theatre Arts Curriculum
Inputs: Visual and performing arts, The APP, Artists Collaborative Theatre
Date: Spring 2023 and ongoing
Audience: community
Project or Activity: Farmers Market art activities
Content or Curriculum: arts activities for all ages, entertainment
Inputs: agent and paid staff led, Fine Arts volunteers
Date: Spring 2023 and monthly
Audience: community
Project or Activity: Family Art Activities/ Laurel Harvest
Content or Curriculum: arts activities for families, all ages, entertainment
Inputs: agent and paid staff led, Fine Arts volunteers
Date: Summer 2023 and bi-weekly
Audience: school children ages 5-9
Project or Activity: K-3 literacy and visual arts workshops in the classroom
Content or Curriculum: literary and visual arts activities for students
Inputs: agent and paid staff led
Date: Fall 2023 and monthly
Audience: FMD students
Project or Activity: art activities
Content or Curriculum: work with teachers to schedule classroom arts instruction
Inputs: agent and paid staff led
Date: Fall 2023 and monthly
Author: Kristy Porter
Major Program: Arts and Community Health
The problemDuring our county programming planning and visioning session with the County Extension Council, the board mentioned they’d like more educational arts programming and activities that families could participate in together. The educational program responseTo respond to this request, and to offer arts programming that families would be excited to participate in together, we began the Art Together Family Arts Series that took place after school and work at the Extension office.
Author: Kristy Porter
Major Program: Quality Arts Engagement & Experiences
The problemOur County Extension Council asked that, as a county, we offer programs targeted to young children. Studies have shown that intertwining literature with visual and expressive arts helps children improve their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.The educational program responseThe Pike County Extension Community Arts program partnered with a local elementary school to introduce Art and Literature Connection, a program aimed at increasing reading comprehension, excitement
Author: Kristy Porter
Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development
The problemPike County is the largest county in Kentucky. Pike County Extension Community Arts is always looking for ways to take arts programming into remote areas of the county because clients can't always come to the Extension office. Programming has traditionally been aimed toward young children or teens. By targeting tween, students aged 8-12, we were able to tailor our programming to meeting the needs and abilities of this sometimes overlooked age group.The educational program response
Author: Kristy Porter
Major Program: Artistic & Essential Skill Development
The problemA decade ago, through community assessment answers, the citizens of Pike County expressed an interest in learning to play instruments, but many stated that they could not afford the average fee of $20 to $30 per lesson.The educational program responseNine years ago, Appalachian Symphony was established as a musical collective providing free music lessons and performance opportunities to people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. The program is completely free and increases mus
