Arts and CreativityPlan of Work

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Whitley County CES

Title:
Arts and Creativity
MAP:
Community Arts Engagement
Agents Involved:
Moses (Community Arts), Jones (4-H),
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Quality Arts Engagement & Experiences
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Advancing the Creative Economy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Artistic & Essential Skill Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Communications & Expressive Arts
Situation:

The Whitley County Extension Fine Arts Council has identified enhancing artisan skills, community poverty rates, citizen engagement, and a qualified workforce as pressing concerns for Whitley County Extension to address. According to Americans for the Arts, “The arts are integral to the lives of our citizens. The arts are essential to the health and vitality of our communities and our nation.” In the rapidly changing (and challenging) times in which we live, the arts can address county poverty, resident vitality, and a vibrant local economy.


Data from The College Board shows that students who take four years of arts and music classes while in high school score 98 points better on their SATs than students who took only one-half year or less. It is clear that the arts, music, creative writing, drawing, and dance, provide skills that contribute to increased quality of life. Not only does participation in arts programming and artisan entrepreneurship create a skilled and educated workforce for local community businesses to have quality employees, but it also contributes to resilient families and communities, vibrant culture, and significant economic impact to local residents. Without Fine Arts Extension the Whitley county citizens would have to drive 1 hour for a comparable art experience. There are very little opportunities in the arts in Whitley county and Extension Fine Arts fills this gap at a free or affordable cost.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Whitley County residents will recognize Extension Fine Arts as a valuable provider of educational, economic, and social opportunities and skills within the arts and develop an increased appreciation for the arts.

Whitley County will have a strong, healthy community arts coalition that meets 3-4 times a year and supports artists through preparing bi-annual arts exhibits and developing the annual Appalachian winter market.

Whitley County will grow artistically in conjunction with our economic growth, making Whitley County an increasingly vibrant place to live.

Intermediate Outcomes:

They will share their interests and skills with others in their homes or within their support group.

Local Artist will artistic skills such as dancing, sculpture, drawing, music, theater, creative writing to residents of Whitley County. 

To increase recognition of the arts and the importance of the arts within Williamsburg, Corbin, and all rural communities within the county.

Whitley County will identify opportunities for creative placemaking and community design.

Initial Outcomes:

Residents gain new skills in the arts.

Residents will recognize that art is an intergral part of life.

Create a sense of connection to community through the arts.

More citizens aspire to volunteer in in fine arts programing and events.

More students believe they can carve an artistic, yet financially solvent career.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: 

Indicator: Continue growth of established events and local participation

Method: Focus Groups/Surveys

Timeline: current


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Growth in Participation

Method: Focus Groups/Email lists/Social Media numbers/Conversations/Newspaper Articles/Radio

Timeline: 2023-2024


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Knowledge of organization and resources, use of art skill in everyday lives 

Method: Surveys

Timeline: 2024-2025

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Community Wreath Making

Content or Curriculum: Natural Resource Publication, 4-H curriculum, AG curriculum, Hort Curriculum

Inputs: Community Arts Agent, Hort Agent, Volunteers

Date: December 2024


Audience: General Public/Families

Project or Activity: Dance Classes: Line Dancing, Belly Dancing, Choreography 

Content or Curriculum: Artist Curriculum, KET Dance toolkit

Inputs: Community Arts Agent, Volunteers, Artists

Date: spring 2024- 2025


Audience: General Public/Families

Project or Activity: Artistic Skill Development: Visual Arts-Textile, Sculpture, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Design, etc.

Content or Curriculum: UK publication, KET, curriculum, Artists

Inputs: Community Arts Agent, UK faculty, Volunteers, Artists

Date: 2024-2025 monthly


Audience: Corbin School of Innovation

Project or Activity: Artistic Skill Development: watercolor painting

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Pathways

Inputs: 4-H Agent

Date: March 2024


Audience: General Public/Families

Project or Activity: Pottery Program (Wheel Throwing and Hand building)

Content or Curriculum: UK publication, KET, curriculum, PD trainings

Inputs: Community Arts Agent, UK faculty, Volunteers, Artists

Date: Spring, summer, fall 2024-2025


Audience: Whitley County Residents

Project or Activity: Community Arts Education Classes

Content or Curriculum: Music, Art, 4-H youth activities etc.

Inputs: Community Art Agent, Agents, Assistants, Community Leaders, Local Artist, Community Arts Assistant

Date: Monthly 2024-2025, ongoing


Audience: General Public, Youth and Families, Farmers

Project or Activity: Extension Arts Corner at the Whitley County Farmers Markets

Content or Curriculum: Art activities, Artist Demonstrations, Educational materials

Inputs: Artists, Volunteers, Community Arts Agent, Community Arts Assistant

Date: Summers-Tuesdays and Saturdays, Weekly, April-August 2024-2025


Audience: General Public/Artists

Project or Activity: Community Arts Groups- Basket Group

Content or Curriculum: Community Arts, University, Volunteer 

Inputs: Artists, Volunteers, Community Arts Agent, community input, Community Arts Assistant

Date: Monthly 2024-2025 


Audience: General Public/Artists

Project or Activity: Open Studio- Pottery

Content or Curriculum: Community Arts, University, Volunteer 

Inputs: Artists, Volunteers, Community Arts Agent, community input, Community Arts Assistant

Date: May, June, July, August 2024, summer 2025


Audience: General Public/Artists

Project or Activity: Community Arts Groups-Enameling and Wood Carving

Content or Curriculum: Community Arts, University, Volunteer 

Inputs: Artists, Volunteers, Community Arts Agent, community input, Community Arts Assistant

Date: Monthly 2024-2025 


Audience: General Public/Artists

Project or Activity: Art History Classes

Content or Curriculum: Community Arts, University, Teachers for teachers

Inputs: Community Arts Assistant

Date: Spring, Summer, Fall, 2020-2025


Audience: General Public/Artists

Project or Activity: Artist Exhibitions 

Content or Curriculum: Local Artists, University of Kentucky School of Visual Arts

Inputs: Community Members, Artists, Community Arts Agent, Community Arts Assistant, Local and Regional artists, local food vendors, and musicians 

Date: 2024-2025


Audience: General Public/Artists

Project or Activity: Online video art classes

Content or Curriculum: Local Artist, University of Kentucky Fine Arts Department, CEDIK

Inputs: Community Members, Artists, Community Arts Agent, Community Arts Assistant, You Tube, Facebook

Date: Monthly 2024-2025


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Acrylics Painting 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Pathways

Inputs: 4-H, Community Arts Agent, Community Arts Assistant

Date: Summer


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Watercolor Painting 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Pathways

Inputs: 4-H, Community Arts Agent, Community Arts Assistant

Date: Summer


 Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Photography

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H, Cloverbuds, Teen Club

Date: Summer


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Self-Portraits 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Pathways

Inputs: 4-H, Community Arts Agent, Community Arts Assistant

Date: Summer Camp


Audience: Whitley County Residents 

Project or Activity:  Heritage Skills Classes - Sewing, Quilting & Fiberwork 

Content or Curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: FCS Agent, qualified community teachers

Date:  Continuous 

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