ArtReach
ArtReach brings Appalachian crafts and culture to rural Central Appalachian communities, providing 4th-12th grade students the opportunity to learn about and appreciate their culture through arts and crafts educational experiences.
Crafting a New Tradition
ArtReach is one of the best expressions of Arrowmont’s institutional mission to enrich lives through arts and crafts.
Founded in 1992, ArtReach brings traditional Appalachian crafts and culture to underserved communities where funding in arts education is limited. Central Appalachian students, 4th-12th grade, receive immersive instruction from artists through in-person and virtual learning opportunities.
Originally established to serve Sevier County Schools, ArtReach has expanded to school districts and arts organizations across six Central Appalachian states. Artreach On the Road directly connects rural communities with arts and crafts artists for 1–2-week hands-on sessions in local schools and community centers. Similarly, Virtual ArtReach provides free pre-packaged supply kits for students and classes we are unable to visit in-person.
Workshops cover a wide range of media including wood, clay, sculpture, needlecraft, basketry, weaving, leather, and many others that have a significant history in Appalachia. The day-long classes not only teach students new skills, but also give them newfound confidence in their artistic abilities and a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Hands-On Learning
ArtReach’s workshop format physically connects students to the rich heritage of Appalachian arts and crafts, fostering a desire to do and learn more. The power of touch creates a reverberating impact on the community for years to come.
Since its inception, over 25,000 school age children have participated in ArtReach, and the program now serves 3,900 students annually. ArtReach graduates have gone on to become working artists, teachers, business owners, doctors, lawyers, and most importantly, contributors to our greater society.
Interested Schools
ArtReach is offered free to schools and arts organizations in participating counties. There is no charge, either to the school, participating organization, or students. If your school, arts organization, or institution is interested in partnering or helping with ArtReach on the Road we’d love to hear from you!
Contact Us
Participating Counties (2024-2025)
On the Road
North Carolina: Graham, Swain, Cherokee
Ohio: new program in 2026
Tennessee: Campbell, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Sevier
Virginia: Scott, Russel, Wythe
West Virginia: Cabell, Fayette, Wayne, Wyoming
Kentucky: Harlan, Lawerence, Perry
Virtual
ArtReach Eligble Counties
Kentucky
North Carolina
Ohio
Tennessee
Virginia
West Virginia
Knox County ArtReach
For the school year of 2024-2025 we are rolling out new grant funded in-person programs to Knox County Schools, if you are a teacher or administrator that would like to learn more about these programs and how to get your students involved, please contact the ArtReach Programs Manager, Katie Sharpe.
We love working with passionate artists and makers who live and work in the Central Appalachian region that ArtReach serves. If you would like to join our team of instructors locally or on the road, please reach out today. We accept proposals on a rolling basis.
Request a Virtual ArtReach Kit
We wish we could visit every Central Appalachian school and county each year! To help meet the growing demand in our region, we offer free virtual ArtReach content and supplies to interested teachers and schools.
Virtual ArtReach Portal
Have your ArtReach kit in-hand and ready to start learning? Select your workshop via the link below and enter the password provided to you via email.
Support ArtReach
This fall, ArtReach on the Road heads to Morriston, TN (Sept. 8-14, 2024) and Robbinsville, NC (Sept. 29 – Oct 1, 2024), reaching an additional 1,000 students. Imagine the impact doubling or tripling the number of ArtReach students could have on Central Appalachia. The demand is there, and we are ready to respond.
Be a part of expanding this vital community program by supporting ArtReach in 2024 and beyond.
