The Blackford County Community Foundation partnered with Arts Place in Portland to provide a fourth summer of the Arts in the Parks program in Blackford County in 2011. The Hartford City Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club of Hartford City, and Max and Sandy Langdon also gave financial support.

Arts in the Parks provides entertaining and educations arts learning experiences for approximately 150 Blackford County children ages 7 through 14. At Blackford Junior High School, four classes were offered on building a parade float, making pottery, playing percussion instruments, and playing brass instruments. Two family nights were offered at the Montpelier Public Library, one on Chinese fan dancing and the other on card-making.

This arts program is also a regional program that has been nationally recognized by Americans for the Arts for its unique programming in small communities.

For more information, contact Arts Place at 260-726-4809 or toll-free at 866-539-9911 or the Foundation at 765-348-3411.