LOUISVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Governor's School for the Arts (GSA) has announced that the program will be hosted virtually this year for the safety of students and faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For over 30 years, students from around Kentucky have gathered for three weeks in the Summer for an immersive arts education. This year, the GSA program will be brought to students in their own homes.
“The Governor’s School for the Arts has a long history of connecting students with Kentucky arts and culture through this prestigious three-week summer program,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “I commend our program leaders for their commitment to making this program available virtually for our students as we continue our efforts to protect the citizens of the commonwealth from the spread of the coronavirus.”
This year, the program was scheduled to be held on the campus of the University of Kentucky. UK will remain as a close partner as GSA develops their virtual program.
“The health and safety of the early career artists selected for the Governors School is paramount in all of our decision making to change the format for this year. Shifting to remote delivery helps to protect all involved and challenges our creativity, yet as the university remains “virtual hosts” our faculty and staff look forward to seeing the results of this creative force being unleashed in these exciting new ways,” said Dean Mark Shanda of the University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts. “In addition, we are confident that our virtual welcome to campus will still introduce these important students to the exciting educational paths that we offer. We all look forward to both taking on this challenge and experiencing the resulting creative rewards.”
The GSA program will be hosted online from June 29 through July 17 through video conferencing platforms.
“While the in-person learning experience can never be replicated, this presents an exciting challenge in terms of creativity,” said Kim Baker, president and CEO of Kentucky Performing Arts. “As artists, they are tasked with being innovative and thought-provoking, and this change is reflective of how life sometimes forces us to think in new and different ways – a lesson students will learn first-hand this year and which may benefit them in the future.”
