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Youth of Lewis County Group Receives Grants to Expand
Rural Arts Access
Published: April 04, 2026 at
10:30 a.m.
By: Press Release
from Tug Hill Artist Network
Youth of Lewis County Receives Grants to Expand Rural
Arts Access
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Lowville, NY- Youth of Lewis
County (YOLC), in partnership with the Tug Hill Artist Network (THAN),
has received dual grants as part of the Statewide Community Regrants
program. The awards support a free, intensive summer arts camp for rural
youth ages 12–17 and a community concert and youth workshop featuring the
Celtic fusion act Femme Celtique.
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Together, these
initiatives expand access to high‑quality arts experiences and
strengthen YOLC’s nationally rare, youth‑governed model of
leadership, service, and creative empowerment.
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The educational
grant funds a multidisciplinary, Renaissance‑themed summer arts
camp running July through September, which removes financial barriers and
offers hands‑on instruction in character, costume design, dance,
theatrical movement, and improvisational acting. Youth will participate
in twice‑weekly sessions led by professional teaching artists Tanya
Roy, Jim Goodenberry, Travis Widrick, and Kelley Martin. Four curriculum
modules—costume/character design, Renaissance song and dance, theatrical
combat, and improvisation—culminate in a student‑designed performance
at the Lewis County Renaissance Faire.
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“This grant
allows us to offer an equalizing, empowering space where young people can
explore identity, build confidence, and experience the joy of creative
expression,” said Wyatt Wagner, Executive Director of YOLC. “Rural youth
deserve access to the same rich artistic opportunities found in larger
communities.”
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The second
grant supports the Femme Celtique Performance
& Educational Initiative, featuring the high‑energy, female‑led
Celtic fusion duo known for blending traditional bagpipes and bodhrán
with modern rock and pop. A youth workshop will be held at 4 PM on
Sunday, September 13, followed by a free community concert at 5 PM.
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“Femme Celtique’s energy and relatability make them the
perfect artists to inspire our community,” Wagner said.
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Both projects
highlight the collaboration between YOLC and the Tug Hill Artist Network,
combining youth leadership with regional arts networks to build a vibrant
creative ecosystem for the Tug Hill region.
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Youth of Lewis
County nurtures the well‑being of youth and young adults through
peer support, mentorship, and community connection.
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This project is
made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program of
the New York State Council on the Arts, with support from the Office of
the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and
administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.
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