Catalyst Grant Final Report
Arts on the Patio
Please provide a brief narrative explaining your project and its outcomes.
We set out to present a series of arts programs on the newly added patio at the Bridgeport branch of Sullivan Free Library.
We held painting workshops for adults and for teens. We also held various multi media craft programs for kids and families. All of the arts programming was full to capacity (and over in some cases!) and very well received. Patrons commented often throughout the summer about how much they were enjoying all of the arts programming and thanked us for scheduling it.
We had a local arts company (Splat Sumthin) bring an interactive messy art program to the patio, and it was great fun for all who attended.
We had a popular local family-centric musical act (Donna Butterfield), and she was well attended and very popular with the kids.
We had a local musical act (Merry Mischief) in the middle of the summer. They performed songs and stories in celebration of the Erie Canal’s anniversary, and the audience had a great time. {We did learn, though, that the Bridgeport location presents difficulties with large live music and vocal performances due to the small size of the community room and lack of coverage from weather outside.}
We also had a balloon artist (Drew Allen) give a demonstration and lessons.
Our biggest obstacle throughout the summer was the weather. As the patio isn’t covered, we had to move many of the programs into the library’s community room because of rain or scorching heat. The ultimate goal of drawing the community members into the library for programs was accomplished, and we gained several new library members over the course of the summer and fall because of the events.
What is the most remarkable accomplishment or finding of your project?
Several of the art programs have evolved to regular programming, and have expanded to Art in the Park (at the library table for weekly Tuesdays in the Park) and to the Chittenango branch. The programs at both branches are consistently full, and we are creating quite the art and craft library community. There is a real desire for this type of programming in the community, and we are so pleased to be able to fill it.
How did your project differ from what you originally proposed?
Our original schedule was to include an open mic. The equipment was backordered and ultimately canceled, so we had to pivot to more physical arts. The patrons were pleased with the additional programming.
Because of this, we were able to expand the programming into the fall, continuing to draw more patrons into the library to experience the arts events.
Please provide a brief summary of your evaluation activities and/or results, if available.
We measured the success of the program through:
Attendance: Each arts program throughout the summer was very well attended. In cases where registration was required, the programs were full with wait lists. I cases with no registration, they were full to capacity.
Participant and Community Feedback: The response from the participants was overwhelmingly positive and patrons were very excited with the addition of the programming and events. We added several new library regulars through the programming.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
Thank you for the opportunity to expand arts programming in our small community of Bridgeport and the greater Sullivan area.
Lori Finger
Library Director, Sullivan Free Library
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