The Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Arts in the Gap (AITG) program, part of the Paul V. Hamilton School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, has been awarded a $10,000 grant through South Arts’ In These Mountains: Central Appalachian Folk Arts & Culture FY25 Project Grants to expand its summer workshop series.
The grant will support the inclusion of more traditional Appalachian artists to lead workshops in crafts, music, dance, and storytelling. It will also allow AITG to offer these workshops at discounted rates, increasing accessibility for participants of all ages.
"We are so excited to have the opportunity to expand our program offerings through the In These Mountains grant,” said Grace Mahieu, AITG coordinator. "This funding will allow us to provide workshops at discounted rates, so more people can participate without finances being a barrier. We are excited to bring more traditional Appalachian arts and craft workshops and programming for Summer 2025! We couldn't have done what we did without the support of LMU and our great community.”
The In These Mountains program promotes teaching, preserving, and sharing Central Appalachian folk arts and culture. It supports organizations in Appalachian Regional Commission counties in Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Eligible projects include festivals, exhibits, educational programs, and more.
In the summer of 2024, AITG hosted 30 workshops offering activities for children and adults. Highlights included “Appalachian Storytelling: Jacktales,” where children immersed themselves in traditional folktales; “The Pottery Wheel for Teens,” providing teenagers with hands-on pottery experience; and an “Appalachian Clogging Performance” by the J Creek Cloggers, featuring a live demonstration of traditional Appalachian clogging and its history.
Founded in 2013 to connect the community with Lincoln Memorial University, AITG is open to anyone interested in enhancing their art skills. The program offers workshops and events celebrating Appalachian culture and blending various art forms. Over 1,000 participants have engaged with more than 100 artists through AITG programs.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.
