Operating Support Grant

LOI: To help pay instructors and a program coordinator to provide classes in traditional crafts and arts. The Ely Folk School aims to: Develop new programs to strengthen the curriculum through diversification to meet the interests and needs of a wider audience Metals Shop: The program coordinator has secured five donated forges plus a grant for $1,000 for supplies and equipment. A garage is being retrofitted as the blacksmith shop. Ongoing work to develop, market, and implement the new curriculum will be needed to launch the program. Ceramics: A donated kiln provides the foundation for a ceramics program. Focused attention is needed to secure donations or grants for equipment and supplies, work with local and regional potters to recruit a pool of instructors and allies and develop a curriculum of course offerings. Deepening existing offerings, such as weaving, with varied and advanced classes will help students develop their artistry. The first level of evaluation will be: Have programs for blacksmithing and ceramics been developed with sufficient equipment and supplies to offer introductory and more advanced skills' Are there increased levels of learning in other areas of the curriculum? The most obvious assessment is whether or not classes attract sufficient registrations to run, whether students are satisfied with their experiences, and if they return for more classes. Registration statistics are collected for a numeric assessment of which classes seem to be successful. The instructors determine the minimum number of students needed to make it worthwhile for them to teach, and what is “worthwhile” varies with individuals. Some require a certain income, especially if traveling a distance; others just want to share their skills, even if it’s with one or two students. The information from student and instructor evaluations is recorded and reviewed to determine their satisfaction with the classes offered, instruction, facility, staff support, and interest in taking or offering more classes. If demographics indicate an imbalance between students that live locally or come from a distance, the data about how they learned about classes can be assessed to modify marketing strategies accordingly.