The Rocky Mount Center for the Arts’ mission is to showcase, facilitate, and educate, to support artistic endeavors and rural creativity in the community and region, as well as enrich the community by broadening access and involvement of diverse audiences. Free to the public, visitors watch the artists at work and see how projects are developed through live demonstrations and open studio viewing. Established as a non-profit organization, we are dedicated to the prosperity, quality, and sustainability of regional art. Artists and arts organizations have opportunities to create, interpret, present, and perform artistic work. Artists will be provided with access to studio space, equipment, technical support, and professional development opportunities. Our program addresses the need for a bridge between museums and schools in teaching students of all ages self-esteem, and visual expression. It is a discovery based student-centered learning method that allows students to communicate their ideas without censure or criticism and is designed for instructors regardless of their art background. This program offers support to art partnership between schools, community, and individual artists. Participating artists will provide training to area youth. Artists engage participants of varying ages, cultures, experiences and ability levels in making art within a mutually supportive and creative learning environment. Participants can explore personal self-expression and the role of the arts in society.