Art and music is all around us.  It can be as grand as a painting in the Lourve or as subtle as a sparkling drop of dew on a blade of grass. Art encompasses so much emotion and feeling, and we look at a piece of art every once in a while and feel that special connection that we haven’t felt with anything else. Gallatin County 4-H offers an art cub for several different groups including the middle school, the upper elementary school, and homeschool children for about 60 children..  A coloring contest is also offered four times a year for all ages. We also have a music enrichment program for approximately 120 children.  

As we continue to rise to the challenge of our new “normal” of life after a global pandemic, the role of art and music has become more central to our lives.  In a time of uncertainty, people of all ages are struggling to find ways to be connected. This is a time to value the arts. High –tech communication has lost its luster after the pandemic . The arts  allows us to communicate from afar, generating positivity, appreciation and hope. Globally, we have turned to art engagement as a source of comfort and strength. https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/why-we-need-arts-in-times-of-crisis  It has been shown to benefit people of all ages. Research indicates art/music therapy can improve communication and concentration and can help reduce feelings of isolation. This type of therapy has also been shown to lead to increases in self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness.  Art encompasses so much emotion and feeling, and we look at a piece of art every once in a while and feel that special connection that we haven’t felt with anything else. Gallatin County Extension offers programs for all ages to help our community express themselves.  We have gone into the classroom of 120 children to explore cultures and customs of various countries such as Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Kenya.   We offer day camps and art clubs,  both at the school and the extension office to encompass children of all walks of life. Approximately 100 children from lower elementary to high school attend the various clubs and camps.   These clubs include several different mediums such as acrylic painting, oil pastels, pen and ink, photography, mixed media, wood working, sewing, diamond art and more.    Art is also embedded into other project clubs such as livestock and cooking as well as other school enrichment programs. Music enrichment is now offered for over 100 children as an outlet to learn music theory, an introduction to various band/orchestra instruments, choral arrangements and just an appreciation of different genres of music. At the end of each semester, there are several performances with standing room only.  We will be offering a music/theatre club after school as well. 

A $2000 grant was given to Gallatin County 4-H  so that Gallatin County children could further explore art and theatre.  The children from the lower elementary researched various fairy tales, made puppets, and sang songs throughout the year.  Then the Kentucky Shakespeare came to showcase different fairy tales and every child was able to get up in front of their class to act out a part of the fairy tale.  

 Several parents and volunteers saw the work of their children and grandchildren and asked for an outlet for adults.   I have also collaborated with the Family Resource Center to offer painting classes for the GrandLove group (grandparents raising grandchildren). Approximately 20 adults attend the painting classes and 10 grandparents attend the GrandLove classes.   According to several participates, these classes are something they can enjoy because arthritis has hindered working on other crafts. There are also painting classes at the schools to encourage collaboration among the teachers with approximately 25  teachers/staff/teen leaders attending. We encourage both 4-H members and adults to enter their art work in the county fair.