After launching last fall, Jessamine County’s Arts+ started an initiative to offer extracurricular programs providing students opportunities to work on their artistic skills outside the classroom in the areas of music, art, dance and theatre.

“We offer workshops, classes, private lessons and community theatre as part of the Arts+ package,” District Arts Coordinator Amy Harrod said. “We are excited that this is open not only to Jessamine County students and families, but community residents and homeschool families as well.”

Registration is open now and will run through Jan. 21, with classes beginning Feb. 4.

Registration packets were sent home with students before winter break, and can be obtained by visiting the Jessamine County Arts+ website.

Classes range from $25 to $200 and are available for all age ranges, including adults.

Art classes include general, ceramics, animals around the world, dream weavers, animals galore, print-making techniques, pottery, clay and calligraphy.

Music classes include children’s choir, community choir, orchestra, guitar fundamentals, community drum circle and private lessons for all ages.

Dance classes include pre-ballet and square dancing.

Theatre classes include audition prep, musical theatre, getting into character, theatre private acting lessons, stage make-up and community theatre for all ages.

“With the closing of the Creative Art League, we have moved the community theatre program to Arts+,” Harrod said. “Anyone can be a part of Arts+ Community theatre. We just closed our first production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and are looking forward to doing an early June show as well. We are still working on providing more dance opportunities, but we currently have a pre-ballet class for the little ones and a square dance workshop for all ages.”

The purpose of the program, Harrod said, is to enrich the programs already offered at the school level in Jessamine County.

The program also offers residents art enrichment in the community without having to drive to other towns or counties in the state in order to find programs.

Being able to work with community partners outside of the school district also aids in developing the new arts program in the county, Harrod said.

“Currently, all of our instructors are Jessamine County teachers,” Harrod said. “We are always looking for people to teach a class or have a private lesson studio if they have something they specialize in and would like to teach it through this new program.”

Providing arts programs in Jessamine County allows residents to be a part of something they love, Harrod said.

“We all have something we like to do — whether that’s act, sing, draw, or move,” Harrod said. “(Through the program) they (get the opportunity) to meet new people who love the same things that they do.”

The importance of the program is to show the significance of the arts in residents’ lives, Harrod said.

Jessamine County Schools has helped support the programs, which Harrod said is becoming rarer across the state.

“The district sees the value the arts provide in the discipline and focus of academics, and it gives students an outlet to express themselves,” Harrod said. “This program is to provide just that little something extra for students while including the homeschool community and the Jessamine County community (while) expanding the wonderful things this area of Central Kentucky already has.”

For more information visit http://jessaminecountyarts.wixsite.com/info/arts or email amy.harrod@jessamine.kyschools.us