Creating Rural Partnership Opportunities (C.R.O.P.)

Funded by The New York State Department of Education, this program provides over 300 children in Delaware County with high quality after school and summer programming and addresses conditions of economic hardship, academic deficiency and isolation, all of which create a barrier to learning. The arts can and must play a vital role in this endeavor.

RAG'S part in this exciting collaboration is to provide arts and cultural programming to six Delaware County Schools - Margaretville, Roxbury, Andes, South Kortright, Jefferson and Stamford Central Schools. Each week a different artist will visit each of the schools and work with the children in the program in a one-hour activity that could include dance, music, crafts, theater, painting, drawing, ceramics, etc. Or if more time is required to complete a program, the artist may design a program that would comprise 2 one hour sessions with the same group over 2 days of any week. During the past year children in the CROP program have worked with a number of craftspeople, musicians from folk to jazz, actors and other performers.

Participating artists will be compensated $60 per session, with up to $15 materials allowance and $15 for travel per session. Activities should be designed for specific age groups, i.e. grades , K-2; 3-5. 6-8. Programs should be designed to engage and stimulate the children, bearing in mind that the schools do have music and arts programs and that the kids are accustomed to quality projects in these fields.

RAG staff can assist interested artists to design a suitable program.

For more information about the CROP initiative and how you can participate contact to Ann Epner or Jean Stone at 607-326-7908. Or email aepner@roxburyartsgroup.org., or write to The Roxbury Arts Group, P.O. Box 93, Roxbury, NY 12474.