Extension
It Starts With Us
Arts and Creativity
Community Arts Engagement
Moses (Community Arts), Jones (4-H),
Quality Arts Engagement & Experiences
Advancing the Creative Economy
Artistic & Essential Skill Development
Communications & Expressive Arts
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
