Crescent Hill Library

Barbara Ledford

Project Description:

The Dare to Create workshop will be an in-depth experience about the process of hand making a book with the culminating project of constructing a book with handmade paper for creative writings. The workshop will consist of a history of book making, the process of modern book publishing, and actual paper and book construction by the students. Books relating to the aforementioned topics will be used for instructive purposes during the workshop. In addition to the hands on project of book construction, we will include some creative storytelling and writing experiences that can be recorded in their handmade books.

Project Outline:

Dare to Create will be a five day workshop consisting of 2 to 2 1/2 hour sessions running from June 5-9, 2006. Approximately 15 middle school students, from the Crescent Hill, Clifton and CliftonHeights areas that are served by the United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM), will be invited to join the workshop. The UCHM Youth program and the Crescent Hill Library have worked together on some projects for approximately a year. When this opportunity arose to involve a community group in an arts workshop, UCHM was an obvious choice for their director’s enthusiasm and commitment to the students. UCHM serves primarily middle school students from low-income families, with many in multi-generation families in which grandparents are the primary caregiver. UCHM youth have responded well to prior arts programs that let them create, but also give a structured environment to channel their energies. A program such as Dare to Create will give a much needed sense of accomplishment, as well as a safe place to spend their time.

Goals and Objectives

Dare to Create will expose youth to a unique arts experience

  • 90% of the students attend all sessions
  • 25% of the students agree to put their book project on display at the workshop’s conclusion

Students will take responsibility for their performance in Dare to Create

  • Students will attend all sessions
  • Students will follow directions given for each activity with no more than 2 requests to get back on task.

Students will view Dare to Create as an opportunity to interact positively with adults and the public library

  • Two students at the conclusion of Dare to Create will ask if we will do it again.
  • 100% of the students will participate in 100% of the activities

Timeline

December

  • Confirm program participation with artist, Tara Remington
  • Request monies from Crescent Hill Friends to supplement budget
  • Confirm program participation with United Crescent Hill Ministries’ director

January

  • Attend 4 sessions on grant writing at KentuckyCenter for the Arts
  • Book workshop dates for meeting room

February

  • Contact Tara Remington for workshop planning update

March

  • Plan Summer Reading events around Dare to Create workshop

April

  • Research books need for workshop
  • Develop workshop evaluation forms

May

  • Confirm with Tara Remington.
  • Purchase any supplies not brought by Tara Remington
  • Confirm with UCHM the number of youth attending
  • Place reserves on books for workshop

June

  • Set up space each morning of workshop
  • Plan for materials to help in clean up
  • Begin program evaluation

July

  • Finish and turn in program evaluation by July 15

Budget

Costs

Supplies

Including papermaking frames and pulp$100

Research and Development fee

Tara Remington, 4 hours @ $50/hour$200

Workshop fee

Tara Remington, 12.5 hours@ $50/hour$625

Total Cost$925

Funding

Arts Reach grant$400

Friends of the Crescent Hill library donation$525

Total Funding$925

Evaluation

UCHM director, students and the artist will be asked to complete a written evaluation of the workshop. The evaluation form will include an overall rating of the program, their interest in participating in another library event and the quality of the project and instruction. Each section will be tabulated to determine the success of the workshop. Also, space will be given for a positive comments or complaints.

December 7, 2005

To Whom It May Concern:

Tara Remington, a local artist and teacher, has proposed a wonderful bookmaking workshop with our students. This proposal is one requesting grant funding. As Youth Program Coordinator, I am very excited about and in full support of this proposed workshop. I have observed Tara to be a wonderful teacher with our students. They respond well to her and look forward to being in her class.

I am committed to making this project happen and seeing it through as a part of our community Youth Program! Our students need small group instruction. They need ways they can develop skills and boost their self-esteem. They need to see that they have the power to create, and workshops such as the above proposed offer such possibility. Thank you for your consideration of this project.

Sincerely,

Rev. Anita L. Roper

Youth Program Coordinator

United Crescent Hill Ministries

502-893-0346

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