The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards’ national office in New York City is dedicated to growing and supporting our Affiliate Partners across the country. Our Affiliate Partners are doing great work in their communities, and we love hearing about their outreach efforts, their students, and their programs. This month, we shine the spotlight on the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) which manages the South Central Kentucky Art & Writing Regions of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Here’s what SKyPAC had to say about Awards activity in their region:
The Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) is the regional Scholastic Art & Writing Affiliate for 22 counties: Adair, Allen, Barren, Butler, Christian, Clinton, Cumberland, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hart, Logan, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Russell, Simpson, Taylor, Todd, and Warren. Each year we proudly receive more than 500 artwork entries. This year, we were thrilled to provide the writing component of the Scholastic Awards program to our region’s talented poets and creative writers. The best works are exhibited in both our Wedge Children’s Gallery and in the SKyPAC Main Gallery here at the Performing Arts Center so that the students get a real sense of exhibiting their work in a professional setting.
Our jurors include a mix of community members and artists from local artist groups to provide a balance during the adjudication process. Our jurors enjoy getting a chance to thumb through the Scholastic Awards catalogs and calendars from previous years to get a sense of what other students from across the country are learning in the classroom.
For the past couple of years, we have provided educators and students with helpful tips and inspiration as they prepare not only for the submission deadline but for the exhibition as well. The catalogs are great tools to share with each regional art educators to help them in preparing their curriculum for their students. We found that the students are expanding their sense of expression and expanding their imaginations from year-to-year. It is truly exciting to see our region’s Scholastic Awards program evolve these past few years.
Next fall, we’re looking forward to offering programs and workshops for both educators and students focused around preparing artwork for exhibition, photographing artwork for submission, and also ensuring that the submissions will continue to meet the 3 criteria: originality, technical skill, and emergence of personal vision or voice.
“I look forward to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program each year,” said Jessica Snodgrass, SKyPAC Marketing & Gallery Director and a Scholastic alumna. “I remember receiving my Gold Key pin in 8th grade when I was a participant and to now be a Scholastic Affiliate representative through SKyPAC with the opportunity to award young students who have demonstrated exceptional artistic talent is a gift.”
Snodgrass continued, “We are very passionate at SKyPAC about exposing students in south central Kentucky to this visual arts program and encouraging teachers to submit their student’s artwork each year. The Scholastic Awards are a very prestigious program and it is an honor to be able to continue providing access to our regional schools and students.”
About The Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC)
SKyPAC Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, oversees the administration of SKyPAC and the Capitol Arts Center facilities and programs. A premier entertainment center, SKyPAC is a multi-use facility located in downtown Bowling Green, KY. The facility includes an 1,800-seat state-of-the-art auditorium that serves as the home of Orchestra Kentucky; The Renshaw Education Center, which houses the Carol Wedge Studio Theater—a flexible 2,600 sq. ft. space for intimate productions and gatherings; several multi-functional rehearsal halls/classrooms; a children’s art gallery; and a main gallery. The Capitol Arts Center provides a 750-seat auditorium and two art galleries, the Houchens Gallery, and Mezzanine Gallery.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are proud to work with organizations like SKyPAC to help talented students receive recognition for their creative efforts. By partnering together, SKyPAC and the Scholastic Awards give our youth the support they need to become lasting members of their art and writing communities.