Arts in Education
Ashe County Arts Council believes the arts are grounded in education and as part of our mission we offer year-round programming in the arts for Ashe County’s youth. Programming includes our Junior Appalachian Musician Program held four days a week during the school year with a summer camp, an annual weeklong Missoula Children’s Theatre Residency, performances and programs in our K-12 schools, the annual SpringFest Arts and Crafts Fair, annual youth art exhibition in our gallery and more!
The Arts in Education programs are sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council and local schools with funding support from a North Carolina Arts Council Folklife Grant for the JAM Program, and a North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program Grant. The North Carolina Arts Council is a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
SPRINGFEST 2024
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Ashe Early Learning Center Gymnasium
Ashe County Arts Council’s Hands-on Arts & Crafts Fair for Kids!
This Ashe County Arts Council tradition has entertained, inspired and enriched many children in Ashe County for over 30 years and will continue Saturday, April 13, at the Early Learning Center (old West Jefferson School Gym) from 10 am – 2 pm. This event is free and open to the public.
Spring Fest will feature more than a dozen hands-on art activities for children of all ages, including a clay station, face painting and more. Enjoy the Professor Whizzpop Magic Show, Balloon Animals, and more!
JUNIOR APPALACHIAN MUSICIANS (JAM)
One of the many things to enjoy in Ashe County is the traditional old time music. Passing this musical tradition to the next generation is the purpose of the Ashe County sponsored Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program started in Ashe County in 2001.
The JAM program is available at the Ashe Civic Center. We have a fall and spring semester program. The JAM program offers music to 3rd-8th grade students who want to learn to play banjo, guitar or fiddle.
This program is funded, in part, by a Folklife Initiatives Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, a Wayne Henderson Festival Grant, and is sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council.
If you would like to be added to the email for JAM information please email programs@ashecountyarts.org
Arts in Education
The Arts in Education programs are sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council and local schools with funding support from a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, a North Carolina Arts Council Folklife Grant for the JAM Program, a Grassroots Arts Program Grant. The North Carolina Arts Council is a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
During the 2023-2024 school year students will experience programming such as:
• Performances by Traditional Japanese Artist Kuniko Yamamoto
• “The Powers of Poetry” Residency with Phillip Shabazz
• Didgerdoo Down Under: Australian Music and history, geography and education, character building and motivation, Entertainment!
• Bubble Science with Jeff Boyer
• cARTwheels Residency with Dancing Drum
• Missoula Children’s Theatre Residency
Missoula Children’s Theatre Residency
This is a week-long residency that engages local children in the theatre experience. MCT productions are complete with costumes, scenery, and props. There is a $35 fee per cast member to help fund the cost of this learning experience.
Auditions: Monday, October 16, from 3:30 – 5:30 pm at Ashe Civic Center in the auditorium. Those auditioning should arrive by 3:15 pm and plan to stay the full two hours.
Rehearsals: Tuesday – Friday, 3:30 to 8 pm
Performances: Saturday, October 21 at 3:00 and 7:30
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are available for purchase at the door and seating is general admission.