Ed Lawrence

Public Information Officer

502-564-9746

Ed.Lawrence@ky.gov

Schools from across the Commonwealth will enter into the School-Community-Arts-Parents-Partnership grant program, a three-year program to foster the development of ongoing partnerships between Kentucky schools, communities, arts organizations and parents. The first year grants of $3,000, matched by $1,500 from the community-school partnership team, will promote arts integration into the curriculum and the community as well as arts programming in the schools. In addition to financial support, the Kentucky Arts Council will provide technical assistance and oversight in developing programs that will benefit all the partners and ensure program continuation after the Arts Council funding is completed.

Team members will have their initial planning, professional development and technical assistance sessions at the Kentucky Leadership Center near Jabez, July 14-16, 2005.

Danville High School is partnering with the Danville Schools, West T. Hill Community Theatre, Citizens Concerned for Human Relations, Danville High School PTO and Beacon Youth Services.

Pineville Elementary School is partnering with Pineville Independent School District, 21^st Century Community Learning Center, Downtown Pineville, Inc., Flocoe Restaurant and Pineville Elementary PTA.

Trigg County Elementary School in Cadiz is partnering with Eudora’s Book Shop, Cadiz Renaissance on Main, Janice Mason Art Museum and Melissa Higgins (parent and parent drama director).

Clark Elementary in Paducah is partnering with artist and arts consultant Constance Alexander, Market House Theatre, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce and parents Karen Harris Story (Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership fellow) and Ashley Shadoan (School Based Decision Making Council member).

Mayfield Elementary in Richmond is partnering with artist Pat Banks, Community Trust Bank, Richmond Area Arts Council and parent Bill Bowling who is a residential assistant for Community Alternatives.

Upon successful completion of the performance expectations, which emphasize building strong partnerships to enhance education in and through the arts, these schools will be eligible for a second year grant of up to $5,000. For more information about the School-Community-Arts-Parents-Partnership program and other arts education opportunities through the Kentucky Arts Council, contact John S. Benjamin, Arts in Education Program Director at (502) 564-2676 or John.Benjamin@ky.gov.

 - ### -

The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet.  Working in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Council invests in programs that develop vibrant communities, provide lifelong education in the arts and support arts participation.  Every $1 in grant funds awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council helps grantees secure $15 in earned income and matching funds from individuals, philanthropic sources and other levels of government.