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Each spring (March/April), McCook Community College holds an annual "Paint-In" art competition for high school students where both individual and team awards and scholarships are given. During this two-week event, high school students from the college's 18 county area are invited to send their artwork to be shown on campus and judged in an individual competition. A high school team competition is held at the end of the second week where schools are invited for a day-long "Paint-In" competition and recognized for their school's artistic talent. Contest winners of the individual and team events are given art supplies, medals, and an opportunity to compete for college scholarships to attend MCC. In addition, the college supplies t-shirts, door-prizes, food, and recognition to attendees, as well as all of the supplies, marketing, judging fees, scholarships, etc., associated with this event.
The McCook Rotary Club is requesting $500 of District Funds which will be paired with our $500 contribution, to provide student entry fees for ALL students, the purchase of art supplies given as prizes to winners of the competition, and to assist with marketing the event to high schools. The McCook Rotary Club members will also be volunteering their time and skills to work the event alongside the instructor.
To participate in the "Paint-In" an entry fee of $3 per person has been requested of the schools, or individuals competing in the event. In the past few years, attendance has decreased due to the inability of high schools to support the arts above other activities. The McCook Rotary Club will be assisting with the event by paying the entry fee of all high school students attending the "Paint-In", thus alleviating a portion of the cost each school pays to bring their students (they still pay for busing, drivers, substitute teacher pay, etc.) to attend the event. In some instances the students have paid their own entry fee instead of the school; this year we will provide their individual entry fee.
The McCook Rotary Club will also be assisting with the marketing and promotion of the event. The club has received pre-approval from MCC's art instructor Rick Johnson, to market the event within our district Rotary family, extending the invite to high school students who are located outside of the 18-county college area but within the Rotary District 5630 area.
By marketing to students within the Rotary District 5630 area, and paying for student entry fees, we hope to allow new students the opportunity to compete for college scholarships and prizes while providing the students with additional opportunities to have their art displayed in public. In addition, the McCook Rotary Club will also be providing the individual winners of the competition with art supplies to further their pursuit of art.
The completion date of the project is May 1, 2017.
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