U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced that the House of Representatives recently approved federal funding for arts education at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg. Through Rogers’ efforts, the FY 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill includes $200,000 for the Center to expand its current arts education curriculum.

“Arts education is a terrific opportunity for all in our communities to pursue,” stated Rogers. “The Mountain Arts Center opens the door to so many unique opportunities for our region. From music to art to putting on a play, our community is emboldened through the arts. Creativity is fostered through arts education and goes a long way toward helping our students learn new things and embracing positive activities right here at home.”

The funding is directed at the Mountain Arts Center which is a non-profit cultural arts complex based in Prestonsburg. In addition to enabling the Center to expand its curriculum, it will also further expand learning opportunities in eastern Kentucky. The Center hosts a wide variety of arts education classes for all ages in music, art, and theater.

The Mountain Arts Center was founded in 1996 and has earned the reputation as one of the best family entertainment venues north of Nashville. The Center has hosted conventions, meetings, receptions, dinners, as well as interactive video conferencing to its many users. Moreover, the Center’s diverse educational programming has been attended by over 200,000 school children throughout the region.

This legislation favorably passed out of the House of Representatives on July 24, 2009 and awaits Senate consideration this summer. Rogers works to obtain federal funding for projects across southern and eastern Kentucky in his role as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.