On January 23, the Kentucky Folk Art Center at Morehead State University presented an art supply kit to Mr. John Ramey, the art teacher at Bath County High School. The museum will present similar kits to nine other high schools with certified art teachers in eastern Kentucky.
Valued at nearly $600, each kit contains dozens of items for use by art students at each high school. This program is part of KFAC’s ongoing educational outreach program, which has served more than 100,000 public school students in Kentucky over the past decade.
“Last year our friends and donors provided more than $12,000 to support our educational outreach program, 100% of which will go directly to programming in Kentucky’s public schools,” said KFAC’s Outreach Educator Susan Hawkins. “Through surveying area art teachers, we learned that the top need in almost every school is access to quality supplies. We hope that these kits can support their work and the work of their students.”
“American arts and culture have long been our nation’s most consistent and influential export,” said KFAC’s Director Matt Collinsworth. “Right now in our public schools, there are kids who have the potential to become the next great American painter, writer, or composer. But, we may lose them, if we fail to provide basic support and instruction. That’s why educational outreach is a key component of our programming, and it is needed now more than ever.”
The Kentucky Folk Art Center is a cultural, educational and economic development service of Morehead State University. It is the only art museum in eastern Kentucky. KFAC is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 606.783.2204 or go to www.kyfolkart.org.
(story provided by the Kentucky Folk Art Center)