Describe the Issue or Situation.

Youth, particularly those in rural areas, often have limited access to structured, skill-building opportunities in the visual arts. While creativity is abundant, many young people lack the resources, instruction, and support needed to explore artistic techniques or prepare competitive projects for the Kentucky State Fair.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

To address the need for accessible arts education and help youth prepare competitive entries for the Kentucky State Fair, the Pike County Extension Community Arts Program partnered with 4-H Youth Development to launch a Visual Arts Club. Open to youth ages 9 to 18, the club was designed to provide structured, skill-based instruction across a variety of visual art forms.

The club met biweekly from February through April at the Pike County Extension Office, with all 15 available spots quickly filled by eager young artists. Each session focused on a different medium or technique, including:

• Watercolors
• Acrylic painting
• Crocheting
• Mixed media
• Colored pencil drawing

The curriculum was intentionally crafted to guide students through the creation of five state fair-ready projects, each aligned with a different visual arts category. Lessons emphasized both technical skill and creative expression, ensuring that participants not only learned how to use each medium but also developed the confidence to showcase their work publicly.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

The audience was youth ages 9 to 18. 15 spots were available by advanced registration and all spots were filled.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

100% of participants said that the classes increased their focus. 100% of participants said that the classes gave them opportunities for artistic expression. 100% of participants said the classes increased their knowledge, opinions, and/or skills in the arts. 90% of participants said the classes allowed them to use critical thinking skills and make deliberate choices. All participants reported an increased use of creativity.