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The BlueMoon
is published bi-monthly by the Kentucky Arts Council. Please send comments,
questions and information to The Blue Moon, Kentucky Arts Council, Old
Capitol Annex, 300 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601-1980 or call 502/564-3757V/TDD
Toll Free: 1-888-833-2787
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Before he left, the Arts Council invited Chris to share his insights about his experiences by means of the following interview. Kentucky Arts Council (KAC): What have you enjoyed most about working for the Kentucky Arts Council? Chris Harp (CH): What I’ve enjoyed most about working for the Arts Council is the many Kentuckians I have met and hopefully assisted in their efforts to bring arts programs to their communities, and to develop their own local arts resources. As a public employee I feel that my main goal is to help people navigate the system and come out on the end with a benefit to them and their programs. KAC: How has the agency changed since you started? CH: Under Lou DeLuca’s and Gerri Combs’ guidance, the Arts Council has advanced to become a very strong state agency. I really feel that the direction of the agency has been a very positive one, with many improvements to access to programs. The leadership at the Arts Council, and I include all staff leadership, both program and administrative, will continue to advance the goals of the agency. Although our money is tight, we are able to provide a wide range of programs to the widest possible geographic area. The Circuit Rider program has been instrumental in increasing access to the Arts Council’s programs. KAC: What challenges have you encountered in state government during your tenure? CH: I suppose the biggest challenge I’ve encountered has been how to continuously improve communication within the agency, and to the public. Since the work of the agency involves every staff member, it is sometimes difficult to be up to date on what everyone is doing. I think we are making headway in communicating who we are to the public, but I still think we have a long way to go before the Kentucky Arts Council is a household name. The staff hopes that the START program will be a way to accomplish this. KAC: What are you most proud of in terms of what you’ve been able to accomplish? CH: I can name three things that I’m most proud of. One, I think that I have been able to develop some very understandable and clear grant guidelines that integrate the new work the Arts Council is doing in the area of cultural participation and the development of standards. Two, I am very happy with the way the Circuit Rider program has developed into a strong team of regional coordinators, who love to work with local people, and enjoy each other’s company as well. If every other program had to fall away because of budget cuts, I would hope that the Circuit Rider program would be the very last to go. I really think it is the connection to the people the Arts Council has needed. Third, I am happy that the driving tour along Route 23 is beginning to go into the design phase. This has been a long, but very rewarding project. I hope it brings long-term benefit, most particularly pride of place to the people of Eastern Kentucky. KAC: What work is left undone in the area of community arts? CH: It is still difficult to find a place in the funding stream if you’re a small arts organization. It seems that there is no middle ground for arts organizations that desire to remain small and effective. I think that changes in grant programs have to continue to be made to carve out a place for small arts organizations’ continued support. In my experience, it is the smallest organizations that are the most flexible, open to new learning and energetic. On the other hand, they have difficulty building their boards and organizational systems. I also think that the Arts Council will have to either increase its budget or tighten programs in order to evolve and respond to the needs in the state. KAC: What have you enjoyed most about the staff of the Kentucky Arts Council? CH: The Kentucky Arts Council staff is the most professional, dedicated and fun group of people I’ve had the pleasure to know. They are my friends and my co-workers, and I will miss them very much. KAC: What’s next for you? CH: I have no idea! That’s part of the adventure for me. I just knew it was time for a change. I have been working on a move for at least three years. There were things I wanted to achieve, and I’ve achieved them. I’m looking forward to a warmer climate! I hope to stay in the arts, but of course that may not be what happens. I also have a background in the social services, so I may end up there for a while. I am interested too in continuing my education, perhaps finishing a Master’s I started in art history. KAC wishes Chris Harp the best of luck in his move. He will be deeply missed.
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Articles
Chris
Harp, Kentucky Arts Council Community Arts Director for nearly eight years,
left the Arts Council staff on November 8. The Arts Council is extremely
grateful for the valuable service Chris has provided over these years.
In the interim, Circuit Rider 