The problem

During 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 response

To 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.

The participants/target audience

Our target audience was families with children. We started by registering 32 people, both kids and adults for the series of classes, which met once a week for six weeks. The class was so popular, we had to start a waitlist. 

Other partners (if applicable)

One partner we had on this project was the University of Kentucky Department of Health, Behavior, and Society. As part of grant work that they are doing in another Kentucky county, Laurel county, they asked to compare our attendance with attendance in FCS programming occurring there. To help fund the series, they provided us with a small grant to help purchase supplies or pay teaching artists.

Program impact or participant response.

The response to the Art Together series was overwhelmingly positive. Families loved being able to have something free and fun to do together. Many participants said they looked forward to our time together each week, as did their children. Some families, throughout the six weeks, had to drop out for various reasons, but because we kept a waitlist, we could offer the programming to other eager participants. Parents and kids were able to participate in paint pouring, paint throwing, clay art, tie-dyeing, cyanotypes, and watercolor activities. They were also provided with healthy recipes and NEP materials. At the final class of the series, most asked if we might consider having another series of classes later in the fall. We are planning that soon!