The Johnston County Arts Council Board of Directors today announced the resignation of Jessica Meadows as its executive director. Jessica informed the board that she will leave her position on October 6 to pursue new challenges as a Community Content Liaison with NBC 17.

Jessica Meadows was employed by the Johnston County Arts Council as Executive Director in January 2005. Following her departure, she will continue to work with the organization as a volunteer.

“It is not an easy decision to leave this position, as the arts are my passion and I was sincerely honored to serve as the executive director of the Johnston County Arts Council. However, I think the Arts Council is capable of new and unique opportunities and the next director can take the organization to the next step,” states Jessica Meadows.

Arts Council President Susan Lassiter said, “The board of directors accepted Jessica’s resignation with regret and thanked her for her excellent work and creativity in the management of the office, her good rapport with the Johnston County community, and her guidance to each board member. We will certainly miss her. She will especially be missed by all those who have worked with her in the Artists-in-the-Schools program, a successful program in its tenth year that brings professional artists from around the world to perform in every
Johnston County school.”

A search for a new executive director will begin immediately. Until a new director is hired, the board will oversee the daily operations of the office. The office is located at 231 E. Second St. in Clayton.

The North Carolina Arts Council recently announced the awarding of grant funding to three Johnston County organizations. Johnston Community College was awarded $5,000 for the development of an International Artists performance series, the West Johnston Band Parents Association was awarded $6,000 for two artist residencies that will result in the composition of new high school band or chorus music, and the Johnston County Arts Council was awarded $51,731 for various arts programs, administrative support, and subgrants in Johnston County.

The Johnston County Arts Council receives funding each year from the North Carolina Arts Council through the Grassroots Arts Program, which allows the Johnston County Arts Council to disperse funds to local organizations. The North Carolina Grassroots Arts Program is the only program in the United States that insures every North Carolina resident has access to the arts. The amount awarded in 2008-09 is an increase of $8,163 from 2007-08.

The North Carolina Arts Council will invest $7,427,425 in grants for arts programs and projects across North Carolina during 2008-2009. (more…)

The Johnston County Arts Council recently received several donations for the 2008-09 Artists-in-the-Schools program year. KS Bank, BB&T, Four Oaks Bank, and Wachovia have all donated $1,000 each for the Artists-in-the-Schools’ tenth year. KS Bank, BB&T and Four Oaks Bank have all donated funds since the inception of the Artists-in-the-Schools program in 1999, and Wachovia joins in support for the first time this year.

Through financial support, these banks are demonstrating their commitment to making the arts accessible to every student. Jeff Lewis of Wachovia stated that “Wachovia appreciates the efforts of the Johnston County Arts Council and is proud to be able to contribute toward the future development of our young people.” Jason Hardy of KS Bank echoed these sentiments by stating that “KS Bank is proud to continue its support of the Arts in Johnston County.  We recognize that by making an investment in the Johnston County Arts Council, we are supporting the development of children throughout the county.”

Available for all students grades K–12 at each of Johnston County’s 38 public schools, the Artists-in-the-Schools program focuses on using the arts as a tool for learning and cultural enrichment. Supported by a strong community partnership between JCAC and the Johnston County Schools (JCS), over $1,000,000 has been raised since the program’s start in 1999. Through public, private, corporate, and individual support, the Artists-in-the-Schools is able to utilize the arts to reinforce and expand basic curriculum through exposure to performances, hands-on workshops, and residencies with professional artists. 

From Americans for the Arts:

Ten Simple Ways Parents Can Get More Art in Their Kids’ Lives

1. Enjoy the arts together. Sing, play music, read a book, dance, or draw with your child at home.
2. Encourage your child to participate in the arts and celebrate their participation in or out of school.
3. Explore your community’s library (Public Library of Johnston County) and read “the classics” together—from Mother Goose to Walt Whitman.
4. Read your local newspaper (Smithfield Herald, Clayton News-Star, Four Oaks-Benson News In Review, Princeton News Leader, Kenly News, Selma News) to find out about attending local arts events like museum exhibits, local plays, festivals, or outdoor concerts.
5. Tell your child’s teacher, principal, and school leadership that the arts are vital to your child’s success and an important part of a quality education. Find out if your school has sufficient resources for arts education, including qualified teachers and materials. If not, offer to help.   
6. Find out more about Johnston County Arts Council’s Artists-in-the-Schools program and support its efforts. Volunteer to donate time, supplies, or help with their advocacy efforts and connect these services to your child’s school.
7. Attend a school board or PTA meeting and voice your support for the arts to show them you care and make sure the arts are adequately funded as part of the core curriculum in the school budget.
8. Explore your child’s dream to sing, to dance, to draw, to act—and encourage them to become the best they can be through the arts.
9. Be an arts supporter!  Contact your elected officials—lawmakers and school board members—to ask them for more arts education funding from the local, state, and federal levels. Visit the Americans for the Arts Online Resource Center.
10. Sign up to become an activist on the Americans for the Arts website, just a click away! Through our e-activist list, you will get news updates and alerts about arts education. Visit our E-Advocacy Center.

I’ll start off by saying I don’t like poetry.  I feel like I shouldn’t say that as the Executive Director of the Johnston County Arts Council-I should love all things artistic.  But as Kay Byer, the North Carolina Poet Laureate said in her poetry workshop with North Johnston High School, “You feel the way you feel!  There is no ’should’ when it comes to feelings.”  So I don’t like poetry…typically…but I’ll tell you about my day with the NC Poet Laureate and how maybe, maybe, I changed my mind a bit.

Kay contacted me a week before her arrival to conduct a community poetry workshop here in Johnston County just to confirm and finalize plans.  She mentioned that as she would be in Wilson the day before, and graciously offered to do a reading or a workshop in one of the local schools, since she would otherwise just be sitting in a hotel room.  I immediately chose my Alma Mater, North Johnston High and called my old homeroom teacher and Senior English teacher, Cathy Cox.  She was more than happy to accommodate us and made all of the necessary plans.

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Although the Artists-in-the-Schools program goes till May, April is usually the last big month as schools start winding down for the year.  Because spring break was early this year, this is a busier April than usual.  These events are open to the public and I invite you to attend as these artists are world reknowed.  If you do attend, make sure you share your experience with us!

Allan Wolf will perform at South Campus Community on April 1, 2008 at 1:00pm. Allan will perform original and classic poetry that speaks to the young adult.

Bright Star Children’s Theatre will perform “Sadie’s Spectacular Saturday” at McGee’s Crossroads Elementary on April 9, 2008 at 9:15am. Good Judgment, Kindness, friendship and respect are just a handful of the character traits that show up in this theatrical production.

Bright Star Children’s Theatre will perform “Sadie’s Spectacular Saturday” at Corinth-Holders Elementary on April 9, 2008 at 2:00pm. Good Judgment, Kindness, friendship and respect are just a handful of the character traits that show up in this theatrical production.

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I posted a few weeks ago about the importance arts has in making healthier communities.  However, there is also overwhelming evidence that arts education in our schools leads to better test scores, higher self-esteem, and obviously, greater creativity and curiosity.  The Arts Council’s Artists-in-the-Schools program has worked hard for 9 years to see that all Johnston County students, K-12, have exposure to all arts disciplines and enjoy authentic experiences they may never have otherwise.  The article below from Education Week illustrates some of the benefits of arts education and the need to keep it in our schools.

Arts Education Touted as Key to U.S. Innovation Agenda 

By Andrew Trotter 

A majority of U.S. voters agree that building students’ imaginations to equip young people with the ability to innovate is as important as teaching them the academic basics, according to a poll commissioned by an advocacy coalition for education in the arts.

The Washington-based Arts Education Partnership cited the results, released today, in urging that the arts not be overlooked as policymakers emphasize the so-called STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as the keys to boosting innovation and U.S. competitiveness in the world economy.

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I LOVE getting coverage in our local papers, even better when its in the News and Observer (The Herald is owned by N&O so I found the link originally through the N&O).  I DISLIKE coverage of Arts Council events that do not mention the Johnston County Arts Council or the program being conducted.  If you read the following article, you would have no clue that the Arts Council funded this artist residency through the Artists-in-the-Schools program.  You would think, “That was nice of West Johnston High to invite that artist into the classroom.”  I have mentioned this to Katherine SEVERAL times, but she continues to leave out all mention of JCAC or AITS.  I realize it is out of my hands and the press can write and cover what they want.  However, it does hurt us in that when we go out into the community to fundraise, people don’t know what we do.

Students’ shoes tell stories by Katherine Higgins

Coats Crossroads — As part of an assignment this week, West Johnston High School students had to ponder what it would be like to walk in someone else’s shoes.

Once they’d thought about that, students decorated actual shoes with their ideas about what’s important and then put them on display in an outdoor labyrinth.

Environmental artist Bryant Holsenbeck of Durham led the project. “They’re really transforming the shoe to make it a work of art,” she said. “It’s the energy they bring to it that’s really interesting.”

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Some very cool events are coming up for the month of March through the Artists-in-the-Schools program.  Anyone can attend; just call the school to request permission and confirm the date and time of the performance. These artists truly are amazing-check ‘em out!

Bryant Holsenbeck will conduct a visual arts residency at Riverwood Middle on March 3-7, 2008. In this three day residency, Bryant will work with students to explore their environment and discover many different possibilities for making things out of simple throw-away objects

Scott Ainslie will perform at South Johnston High on March 5, 2008 at 9:00am. During his interactive concert, Scott will include a wide range of traditional Blues styles and the historical context and basic elements of the music from its beginnings with field hollers, worksongs, and spirituals.

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Below is the list of Artists-in-the-Schools events happening in the Johnston County Schools for the month of December.  Anyone interested in observing any performances should call the school to request permission and confirm the date and time of the performance.  The Artists-in-the-Schools Program is supported by the Johnston County Arts Council, Johnston County Schools and corporate, foundation and individual donors.

 Theatre IV will perform “Tales as Tall as the Sky” at McGee’s Crossroads Elementary on December 7, 2007 at 9:30am.  Three children bring characters from American tall tales to vibrant life through the magic of their imaginations by exploring the wild and adventurous stories of Pecos Bill and John Henry.

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