Morehead State University
Eastern Kentucky Arts Project (EKAP)
Institution
Morehead State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Joy Gritton; John Hennen
Abstract
This poster introduces the Eastern Kentucky Arts Project (EKAP), which draws on the participatory research of 17 Morehead State University students. Each student has worked to identify and document artists and arts related programs, facilities, and websites originating in and/or serving the Appalachian counties of eastern Kentucky. These include public school instruction and projects, courses and exhibition programs offered at regional institutions of higher learning, private and non-profit arts and craft education programs (including extension service programs), cultural heritage and arts centers and museums, cultural heritage tourism initiatives, galleries and other exhibition and sales venues, historic architecture, murals, public art, and special grant-funded projects. EKAP has circulated surveys to artists and other community members and is beginning an oral history component. A website has been constructed to provide access to these resources and serve as a clearinghouse for information on the region's arts. This project is being conducted with two outcomes in mind: (1) Providing an essential resource for students of Appalachian art as well as regional artists, educators, and community members (2) Identifying arts related needs in the region and thus potential venues for student service learning projects. As the P.A.C.T. program in Harlan County has demonstrated, the arts can be used to help a region recover its history, address serious challenges such as substance abuse, bring people of diverse races, ethnicities, and class together, and foster a sense of cooperation within community. EKAP hopes to play a vital role in this work.
Eastern Kentucky Arts Project (EKAP)
This poster introduces the Eastern Kentucky Arts Project (EKAP), which draws on the participatory research of 17 Morehead State University students. Each student has worked to identify and document artists and arts related programs, facilities, and websites originating in and/or serving the Appalachian counties of eastern Kentucky. These include public school instruction and projects, courses and exhibition programs offered at regional institutions of higher learning, private and non-profit arts and craft education programs (including extension service programs), cultural heritage and arts centers and museums, cultural heritage tourism initiatives, galleries and other exhibition and sales venues, historic architecture, murals, public art, and special grant-funded projects. EKAP has circulated surveys to artists and other community members and is beginning an oral history component. A website has been constructed to provide access to these resources and serve as a clearinghouse for information on the region's arts. This project is being conducted with two outcomes in mind: (1) Providing an essential resource for students of Appalachian art as well as regional artists, educators, and community members (2) Identifying arts related needs in the region and thus potential venues for student service learning projects. As the P.A.C.T. program in Harlan County has demonstrated, the arts can be used to help a region recover its history, address serious challenges such as substance abuse, bring people of diverse races, ethnicities, and class together, and foster a sense of cooperation within community. EKAP hopes to play a vital role in this work.