ECCOTA hosting funding creativity showcase in Kane

RIDGWAY- Elk County Council on the Arts (ECCOTA) will be hosting a funding creativity showcase at the PA Wilds Media Lab in Kane, located in space above The Laughing Owl Press on Thursday. The PA Wilds Lab is located on 61 North Fraley Street in the town.

Cameron Howard, who serves as an arts and learning coordinator at ECCOTA, previewed what to expect in this inaugural event.

“Funding creativity is a chance for local artists to gather and learn about opportunities the Elk County Council of the Arts has to offer,” Howard said. “This is also a chance to network with some of the artists who work at ECCOTA.

Artists from Elk,

McKean, Potter, Cameron, and Forest counties are encouraged to attend. The collaboration between ECCOTA and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) made this showcase possible.

ECCOTA currently administers two partnerships with the program with the PCA: The Pennsylvania Arts partnership, which makes grant opportunities available for local artists to apply. They also have the Arts in Education partnership, which forms residencies between rostered teaching artists and schools or community entities in a class setting, according to Howard.

Because of this, representatives from different area schools, community centers, senior centers, and living facilities are also welcome to attend this event if they are interested in hosting a residency within their organization.

In this Arts and Education partnership, students of all ages learn the craft of teaching the artist.

Howard wants this showcase and similar events to continue going forward, and knows the importance of offering these opportunities.

“Supporting artists and giving them a platform is the first thing we strive to accomplish every day at ECCOTA,” Howard said. Hosting an event like funding creativity is achieving that goal.”

The showcase will take place from 5-8 p.m. This is free to the public and Table 105 in Kane will be providing refreshments.