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Celebrating, Honoring, and Valuing Rich Traditions: The History of the Ohio Appalachian Arts Program
Celebrating Honoring and Valuing Rich Traditions The History of the Ohio Appalachian Arts Program Author:Wayne Rapp Twenty-five years ago, as the Ohio Arts Council began to identify the artists and organizations in Appalachian Ohio that might benefit from inclusion in a Minority Arts Program, it found a strong base for the arts in the region, one that had managed to withstand neglect, indifference, and disappointment. But its creators were often unconnected ... more »? to each other and to the various arts organizations in the region. The idea from the beginning was that the Ohio Arts Council would be a partner with the artists and organizations to build and support a program that would help restore pride to the area. Through inclusion of works from well-know poets of the Appalachian region and interviews with the individuals involved with the building process, this story traces the evolution from early assessments of talent and needs, through the initiative stage to full program status. Along the path was an encounter with the artists and arts organizations across the Ohio River in West Virginia and the recognition of mutual interests and support that could be gained by their incorporation into the program. Numerous examples of the benefits to artists and arts organizations that have been derived from the Ohio Appalachian Arts Program are documented in the story. This is a story of pride in accomplishments in the region and hope for the program?s future.« less