The Tri-State Ticket



This article shared from UKNow, University of Kentucky News.

Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts Begins This Week at UK, Doubles in Size

By Christian Adelberg June 10, 2022

The Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) kicks off its 35th anniversary class this summer with a class doubled in size from previous years thanks to supplemental funding from the Kentucky Department of Education. Growing from 256 students to more than 500, the tuition-free program will take place over two consecutive three-week sessions (session 1: June 12-July 2; session 2: July 10-July 30) with students divided into each. Both sessions will take place at the University of Kentucky this summer.

“Education continues to be the key to ensuring the future of Kentucky remains bright. Investing this supplemental funding into GSA is a positive step toward ensuring that education and cultural opportunities reach students in every community throughout the Commonwealth,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. “I encourage more students to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to develop diverse, lifelong friendships and explore your artistic talents through education and the arts.”

“This is a transformational moment for GSA, but also for the entire state,” said UK alumnus Nick Covault, executive director of GSA, and 2002 GSA alumnus (vocal music). “This increased investment not only means more of Kentucky’s creative youth will be empowered, validated and affirmed as artists, it also means the Commonwealth will benefit even more from the powerful skillset of our next generation of creative leaders: artist-citizens who bring innovation, connection, joy and healing to various sectors of our communities.” 

GSA was approved for $2,850,000 from the American Recovery Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Summer Enrichment funds (Office of Teaching and Learning) to be awarded over a three-year period. Federal ESSER funding was provided to state education agencies as part of the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act). The $2,850,000 ESSER grant covers 43% of the expanded GSA program, with an additional 32% ($2,121,746) financed by private sources, and the remaining from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Kentucky Performing Arts and program administrators are working to secure additional funding, including fundraising, to allow for the program to accommodate 500 students after the three-year grant term ends.

“We are proud to partner on this effort to expand GSA to encompass additional students,” Commissioner of Education Jason E. Glass said. “This program is a powerful and life-changing learning experience for Kentucky youth. I am excited that a greater number of our creative and artistic students will benefit from the GSA experience.”

GSA brings student artists from all regions of the state together on a Kentucky college campus for an immersive program of daily seminars, creative projects, master classes and lectures. Instruction is offered in nine disciplines: architecture and design, creative writing, dance, drama, film and photography, instrumental music, musical theater, visual art, and vocal music. Students, educators and administrators have often noted the peer support learning element of the program, with attendees connecting with like-minded peers and often leaving with new lifelong friends. Visiting guest artists include Martha Redbone, the Affriliachian Poets, Flamenco Louisville, Mutual Dance Theatre, Harry Pickens and a variety of other artists from various fields/mediums. They will entertain as well as interact with students.

Alumni of the program are eligible for scholarships at nearly 30 colleges and universities. 93% of the GSA 2021 class said they felt more prepared to attend college because of their GSA experience, while 75% said they felt GSA helped make college a more accessible option for them.

To learn more about the program, including ways you can support GSA’s mission, visit https://kentuckygsa.org or the Kentucky Performing Arts website.

About GSA

GSA is a public/private partnership established in 1987 by the Kentucky Center (now Kentucky Performing Arts), the Commonwealth of Kentucky and numerous private supporters. Today, the vital funding required to make GSA a reality is provided by the state through the leadership of the governor’s office and the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, as well as the Kentucky Performing Arts Foundation, Toyota Motor Manufacturing and more than 300 corporations, parents, educators, alumni and friends of GSA. 

About the University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts

The University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts offers Kentucky’s broadest collection of visual and performing arts academic programs with four academic units. The college also is home to the Singletary Center for the Arts and the UK Art Museum. The College of Fine Arts declares that the arts are essential to the life of the individual and the community and expresses commitment to the arts through dedication to teaching, scholarly research, artistic experimentation, performance, outreach and exhibition. 

About Kentucky Performing Arts

Bringing world class performances to Kentucky, connecting artists with the community, and providing arts education opportunities, Kentucky Performing Arts lives its statewide mission of building lifelong relationships with the arts. As an integral member of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet, Kentucky Performing Arts, along with the other agencies, seeks to preserve and promote the history, heritage and arts of the Commonwealth.

For more information, contact Anne Stephens, Agent for Fine Arts and Community Development in Greenup County. 606-836-0201 anne.stephens@uky.edu 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland, KY 41144 Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND KENTUCKY COUNTIES, COOPERATING 

Farmers Market

It is Farmers Market season! Our Certified Greenup County Farmers Market has been open since May but we are seeing our producers add more and more fresh farm harvest each week! Local produce is an important and enjoyable part of community food systems. I encourage everyone in Greenup County to be aware of our local certified Farmers Market and to make plans to attend on a regular bases!

Greenup County Farmers Market is located between the Greenup County Extension Office, 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland KY 41144 and the historic McConnell House under the tall shade trees. Hours are Thursdays 3PM – 7PM and Saturdays 8AM- 1PM. Parking is available behind the McConnell House and at the Extension Office. Market is all outdoors.

You may wonder what the difference is between a certified market and a roadside produce stand. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture states that “the demand for affordable, fresh, local and healthy foods is growing. With more than 160 successful farmers’ markets across the Commonwealth, spanning more than 110 counties and 2,700 vendors, farmers’ markets and direct-to-consumer marketing are great ways to meet that demand. It’s simple for the consumer to find the products their looking for and buying local puts a face on your food with a connection between the consumer and farmer. Every action we take in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is aimed at helping farmers, farmers’ markets and agribusinesses in Kentucky.” https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/farmers-market.html

You will find that many of our vendors at the Greenup County Farmers Market have registered “Kentucky Proud” products and All of our producers are required to follow the guidelines published by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for Farmers Markets. They also receive guidance from our Greenup County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Linda Hieneman. You can reach her anytime by calling the Extension office at 606-836-0201. Her email is linda.hieneman@uky.edu.

As the Extension Agent for Community Arts in Greenup County, I am excited to report that we have an increase in artisan vendors at our market this year! Along with fruits and vegetables, plants, flowers, jelly and jam, honey, eggs, homemade breads and sweets, gluten-free breads and sweets, you will find a variety of arts and craft items. We have handmade soap, carved gourds, crochet and hand sewn items, handmade jewelry and other decorative items, knives, bath bombs, lip balm, rolling pins, cutting boards, wood bases for charcuterie boards, hand carved wooden bowls, bird houses, special guest food trucks and games/educational opportunities for kids.

Our market is more than a quick stop for corn and beans when that season arrives – it is a family friendly destination for fun and discovering the talents of our local people. There will be live music the first Saturday of each month from 11 – 1. Thursday evenings will have special activities for kids. Plan to stay a while and take it all in!    

I believe you will find that all of our Greenup County Farmers Market vendors will show you the respect and dedication to their products and our community when you visit our certified market. We also have t-shirts, hats, and reusable shopping bags with our market logo.

When shopping at the certified Greenup County Farmers Market, you can be sure that the produce you are purchasing was grown by the farmer/vendor who is selling it to you. That is a rule of our market. The only reselling allowed MUST be posted at the booth AND only items that are not in season and available from another vendor. You do not have this assurance elsewhere. You can ask the farmers about their growing process and they would be happy to discuss with you! You can also discuss the creative process with our artisans and crafters. They have been juried and approved with the assurance that they are creating their products in their own homes or at a local studio. Many of our vendors take orders and do custom creations. Come and meet them and get connected with the BEST gift-giving connections in our area! (It is even ok to buy gifts for yourself.)

If you would like to see a list of our vendors and what they have to sell, stop in the Extension Office anytime Monday – Friday, 8AM – 4:30 and pick up a market directory. You are welcome to attend the market any time and every time it is open. You never know exactly what you’ll find at the Farmers Market. Don’t miss out! I’ll see you there.

Contact Anne Stephens, Greenup County Extension Agent for Fine Arts and Community Development at 606-836-0201, 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland, KY 41144. anne.stephens@uky.edu Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND KENTUCKY COUNTIES, COOPERATING