The Kentucky Arts Council has awarded grants to five Kentucky schools to pay for transportation to and from arts-related field trips for students through the popular TranspARTation Grant.
The TranspARTation Grant is awarded quarterly by the arts council. The program is now in its third year. Grants are based on the mileage from the school building to the arts organization or performance venue and the number of buses necessary.
“The more we can put children’s eyes on the work of professional artists and performers, the more vital the arts become to those kids,” said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director. “That’s the goal of TranspARTation, to help schools make art a reality for their students.”
Schools that received grants and the arts organizations they will visit are:
•Morgan County Middle School to the Living Arts & Science Center in Lexington, $728
•Lyon County Elementary School to the Carson Center in Paducah, $280
•Calloway County Middle School to the Carson Center in Paducah, $384
•Highland--Turner Elementary School in Breathitt County to The Lexington Ballet, $1,104
•Betsy Layne High School in Floyd County to the Greater Hazard Area Arts Council, $684
The TranspARTation program is an important tool for removing barriers between children and the arts, said Larry Snipes, Lexington Children’s Theatre producing director. Lexington Children’s Theatre is one of 22 arts organizations across the state that participate as TranspARTation destinations.
“For years we looked for ways to subsidize buses for students to get to our events. We had sponsors, but as it so often happens, they come and go,” said Snipes.
“The great part about TranspARTation is it’s something teachers can count on, and they are then able to use their field trip funds in the most efficient way. For what we do, we feel it’s important for young people to experience art in the space where it was meant to be performed, and this is a great way to meet that goal,” added Snipes.
Any Kentucky public or private school that supports grades pre-K through 12 may apply for a TranspARTation Grant. The application period for the next round of TranspARTation funding will open April 15 with an application deadline of May 15 for field trips occurring from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016.
Schools receiving TranspARTation Grants must attend arts events presented by one of many preapproved TranspARTation organizations.
For more information about applying for a TranspARTation Grant, visit the TranspARTation webpage, or contact Jean St. John, arts council arts education director, at 502-564-3757, ext. 486.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, fosters environments for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. The arts council, along with the NEA, is celebrating 50 years of service in 2015, which the arts council is recognizing as the Year of the Arts in Kentucky.
(story provided by Kentucky Arts Council)
