ART EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Art Education & Outreach is based on the belief that all individuals should have equal access to arts and arts education, because it builds well-rounded thinkers and problem solvers. Initiatives in this program area provide early educational opportunities, summer scholarships, and create access through public events. Many of these initiatives may share resources, purposes, and values.
SAAC budgets for these individually; however, excess funds or supplies generated from one of these events (if any) may be used to support the others.
- Art in the Park (free hands-on art "festival" for children and their families)
- Art Partners (after school art education classes)
- Community Events (PumpkinPalooza and Starkville Community Day)
- Summer Scholarships (merit- and need-based awards for summer youth development programs in the arts).
SAAC budgets for these individually; however, excess funds or supplies generated from one of these events (if any) may be used to support the others.
ART IN THE PARK
DATE: MAY 13, 2023 | 9 AM - 1 PM
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This annual FREE event is open to the public and provides hands-on exposure to children (and their families) to chalk, beads, clay, paint, drums, drawing, writing, theatre, dance, and more. Expose youth to creative exploration as a core competency skill and build well-rounded thinkers.
Art in the Park is free and open to the public: all art materials used in the activities are provided at no cost to attendees. Local art and community groups (Del Rendon Foundation, MSU Figure-Drawing Club, Starkville Strings, and more) collaborate to provide a range of activities that reflects the diversity of the arts located here. |
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- In 2018, we estimate that 200 children attended with their families.
- In 2019, we quickly adapted to an indoor location, hosting more than 150 children and families.
- In 2020, as an alternative to in-person classes and events as a result of COVID-19 concerns, 400 Art Boxes were distributed as part of Art in the Park and Art Partners initiatives. More than 250 Art Boxes were distributed at J.L. King Park in Starkville, MS, on September 26 and 100 at Maben Park in Maben, MS, on October 3. In addition, 30 were given to the J.L. King Center and another 30 given to Pecan Acres (both in Starkville). Each Art Box contained various drawing, painting, reading, writing, and craft supplies.
- In 2022, we had around 150 kinds and their families come out to JL King Park
2022 SPONSORS
Art in the Park appreciates support from various businesses and charities, including (for 2022):
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Past Photos
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ART PARTNERS
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This is our after-school program that provides hands-on extracurricular art classes to foster creativity, confidence, and exploration. Serving as many as 100+ youth per semester, this program is currently located at three sites:
1) Starkville Public Library - Tuesdays at 4 pm with Bonnie 2) Council of Community Organization (COCO) - Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 pm with Joseph 3) J.L. King Center - Thursdays at 4 pm with Bonnie SAAC provides the teaching artist and supplies at no additional cost to the sites or youth in the program. If your child attends any of these after-school programs, please contact the program's administrator to enroll. This program is ready for expansion as funding is available. If you would like to help, please contact us. |
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Our Teaching Artist Fellows
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Joseph MacGown (Spring 2023 - Winter 2023)
Joseph MacGown works with improvisation in an eclectic array of colorful mediums to create whimsical strange images.
See more of Joseph's work: http://instagram.com/joseph_h_macgown |
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Bonnie Renfroe (Fall 2019 - Summer 2022)
Bonnie V. Renfroe loves kids, art, and music. She has taught drumming, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and painting all over the South. A breast cancer survivor herself, Bonnie has shared her art and drumming with cancer patients at Baptist Hospital in Jackson.She exhibits her art at Columbus Arts Council, Columbus MS; Southside Gallery, Oxford; Attic Gallery, Vicksburg; and Minerva Gallery, Starkville. Bonnie proudly displays her work at the Cotton District Arts Festival every year and was an active member of Craftsman's Guild of MS for many years.Her art is in private collections all over the US and the world; including Mali, Jamaica, Japan, Scotland, India, England, Slovenia, and Germany. Bonnie dances and is a drummer in Jembe Den, a local African drum group; as well as facilitates enriching community Drum Circles- building bridges in the community through peace and acceptance. Bonnie Renfroe enjoys playing percussion with RL Boyce and his Blues band from Como, Mississippi. |
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Art Partners appreciates support from various sources including:
SOAR Create Foundation
Walmart Community Grants Team and Facility #112
Atmos Energy
Windgate Foundation: Art Partners Fellowship grantor
SOAR Create Foundation
Walmart Community Grants Team and Facility #112
Atmos Energy
Windgate Foundation: Art Partners Fellowship grantor
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COMMUNIUTY OUTREACH
PumpkinPalooza
DATE: OCTOBER 27, 2022
2020 Poster
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PumpkinPalooza is an annual event hosted by the Starkville CVB, held downtown each October. It includes trick-or-treating with merchants, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, and live music. SAAC hosts the popular pumpkin painting booth.
SponsorsLet us know if you would like to sponsor this event!
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Starkville Community Day
Starkville Community Day is an annual event organized by various community members to provide a day and night of festivities and outreach at J.L.King Park. It includes food, live music, and outreach by various nonprofits to benefit an underserved community geared for both families and adults. SAAC hosts its mural wall during the family-oriented part of the day.
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SponsorsLet us know if you would like to sponsor this event!
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Little Free Libraries
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As an expansion of our popular 2020 Art Box drive, SAAC is working to place Little Free Libraries in Starkville neighborhoods with growing need for educational resources. We maintain these with books, school supplies, and a place for other nonprofits to share information on their resources.
Our first Little Free Library is located at Starkville Housing Authority on Alfred Perkins Dr. This Library was donated to SAAC by an Anonymous donor. Our second Little Free Library is located at Council of Community Organizations (COCO). This Library was purchased through a grant from 100 Women Who Care! |
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Starkville Area Arts Council awards summer scholarships to Oktibbeha County youth for extracurricular enrichment and youth development programs in the arts (performing arts, music, applied arts, visual arts, creative writing, etc). See link below for more details.
DEADLINE: April 10, 2023, at MIDNIGHT.
DEADLINE: April 10, 2023, at MIDNIGHT.
SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS - OPEN NOW
for Youth Development Programs!
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SAAC offers merit and need-based summer scholarships for youth ages 11-18 for youth development art programs. This initiative creates access across the summer months, inspiring creative development for longer-term impact. The past two consecutive years have shown record numbers of applications. More than $7,000 was awarded to 26 talented young people for summer 2019 programs. Current and past recipients have attended programs hosted by a number of organizations, including:
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Scholarship Recipients: MSU Summer Scholars OnStage 2019
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RULES
Applicants must be between the ages of 11 and 18 and reside in Oktibbeha County. Applicants may not be currently enrolled in or attending college. Parents & Guardians should sign this form on behalf of students who are under 18. Decisions are based primarily upon merit, although student need will also be considered. The applicant should be thoughtful and specific when answering the questions.
One recommendation letter is required. The letter should address the student’s commitment and skill level. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Students should alert their reference person that a letter is required and they should receive an email requesting the information. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that a correct email address is provided for the reference.
Any awards are paid directly to the camp or program for the benefit of the student.
APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2023 NOW!
DEADLINE TO APPLY IS APRIL 10, 2023.
One recommendation letter is required. The letter should address the student’s commitment and skill level. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Students should alert their reference person that a letter is required and they should receive an email requesting the information. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that a correct email address is provided for the reference.
Any awards are paid directly to the camp or program for the benefit of the student.
APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2023 NOW!
DEADLINE TO APPLY IS APRIL 10, 2023.
Sponsorships available!
Your sponsorship will help expand and grow this rare summer development opportunity for youth!
