West Virginia has an incredibly rich and unique arts tradition. From the earliest settlers to Brad Paisley today, West Virginia has cultivated participation in arts and produced some stunning opportunities for our state.

In these troubled economic times it might be easy to focus on the hardships and the struggles being endured across our great Nation and around the world. But we must remember that there is much to celebrate here at home. That is why I wanted to take a moment here, as summer approaching rapidly and the opportunity to spend more time outside increases, to remind you of the opportunities in southern West Virginia to see the investments we are making right here at home in arts and culture.

I am honored to announce the Greenbrier Valley Theater (GVT) in Lewisburg has been selected to participate in the National Endowment of the Arts’ Shakespeare for a New Generation program. GVT will also receive $25,000 in funding from the NEA to support a performance of Macbeth and the educational activities it will bring to the area. It will be one of only 37 professional theater companies nationwide to bring professional Shakespeare performances and educational programs to high school and middle school students during the 2009-2010 school year.

In addition to this fantastic funding, the NEA has also begun awarding grants funded through the Arts and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARRA). These funds total $19.8 million to be invested across the country for state and jurisdictional arts agencies and regional arts organizations. Through this funding, the West Virginia Division of Culture and History will receive $296,000 to help preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector in our local communities.

The West Virginia Humanities Council has also just approved funding for the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame to partner with West Virginia’s showcase, Tamarack, in Beckley. There will be a permanent exhibit of memorabilia and recorded works of Mountain State Musicians from the last 50 years, in addition to funding a concert series and a variety of education programs. 

I am honored each year to be invited to the many excellent art programs put together throughout southern West Virginia. Our hills are home a number of historic reenactments, including the Matewan Massacre that chronicles the 1920 coal-camp tragedy. We hold on to our history through these performances, reminding ourselves of the tried and true stock from which we spring.

And if you live anywhere near Milton, I am sure you grew up hearing the story of Blenko Glass. A family run company since 1893, we want to help make certain they continue to produce beautiful glass pieces for the World market. 

And we cannot forget the contributions to the history of music that West Virginians have made. As Hazel Dickens, a living legend and talented daughter of Mercer County, famously wrote and sings, “the green rolling hills of West Virginia are the nearest thing to heaven that I know.” Her lyrics are close to our hearts and remind us of the importance of honoring our musical heritage for all to enjoy.

By investing in arts education and preservation, we can introduce the world to the tradition of West Virginia’s front porch hospitality. Learning and listening to our music, experiencing our performances, both traditional and historic, and seeing the visual arts produced in southern West Virginia, is a great way to experience some of America’s most compelling history.

I urge you all to support arts opportunities in your communities. Give more than a glance to community news. You may find a performance or exhibit to take your family to and enjoy. I know I will.

 

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) represents West Virginia’s 3rd District.