Dillon Godolphin

Education Director

Let’s Get Started!

Please email me with your registration/reservation inquiry. Include:

  • Name/Organization
  • Event interest and details
  • Preferred contact information

dgodolphin@artsofsky.org

270-904-5018

Arts Engagement

Arts of Southern Kentucky is here to spark growth and learning for the arts through hands-on experience and instruction. Get creative, find your voice, or rediscover a passion as you engage in our artistic community. As we grow our outreach through schools and events, we hope you will join us in supporting our vision.

2024 - 2025 Educational Programs

Floyd Collins: His 100-year Legacy

Since 1925, Floyd Collins’ story has had an impact on Kentucky history. Arts of Southern Kentucky commemorates the event’s centennial through Floyd Collins, the Musical and educational experiences for your school groups. These opportunities will help you engage your students in a deeper exploration of subjects like history, media, social studies, and art, culminating in a meaningful connection with Floyd’s 100-year legacy.

Curricula

Economics and Geography
Media
Music
Performance
History

Floyd Collins’ life in rural Kentucky, provides insight into the cultural identity of Appalachia. Students can explore how the physical landscape, historical events, and economic activities have shaped the cultural traditions, values, and decisions of the people living in the region. They can analyze the portrayal of Appalachian culture in the musical, examining themes such as economic incentives, family ties, community solidarity, and resilience.

The media frenzy surrounding Floyd Collins’ entrapment in the cave provides a rich case study for analyzing the evolution of journalism and its societal impact. Students can dissect newspaper articles, radio broadcasts, and newsreel footage from the 1920s, examining the techniques used to sensationalize the story and the ethical considerations involved in reporting on a human tragedy. They can explore how media coverage influenced public opinion, government response, and the eventual outcome of the rescue efforts, shedding light on the power dynamics between media, government, and the public.

Featuring bluegrass, folk, and Americana influences, Floyd Collins, the Musical offers a gateway to understanding the cultural heritage of Appalachia. Students can explore the origins of these musical traditions, tracing their roots to Scottish, Irish, and African American folk music. They can analyze how music is used in the musical to convey emotion, drive the narrative, and evoke a sense of time and place. By studying the lyrics, instrumentation, and vocal styles of the songs, students gain insight into the social and historical context of the story, uncovering themes of resilience, community, and the human spirit.

When observing the preparation of a theatrical production students gain opportunities to engage with the art of performance. They can analyze character development, examining the motivations, conflicts, and relationships that drive the protagonists and antagonists of the story. They can study the techniques of stagecraft, including set design, lighting, sound, and costume, and how these elements contribute to the overall atmosphere and mood of the production. Through acting exercises, scene studies, and improvisation, students can explore different interpretations of the material, honing their skills as performers and deepening their appreciation for the craft of storytelling.

The story of Floyd Collins is set against the backdrop of 1920s America, a time of social and economic upheaval characterized by Prohibition, the Great Migration, and the Roaring Twenties. Students can examine the rural poverty that plagued Appalachia in the aftermath of World War I, exploring the challenges faced by working-class families like the Collins’s. They can analyze the entrepreneurial spirit of individuals like Floyd Collins, who sought to capitalize on the region’s natural resources through tourism and exploration. They can also investigate the role of government agencies, private companies, and grassroots organizations in responding to crises like the cave collapse, shedding light on issues of public safety, labor rights, and community resilience. Through primary source analysis, oral histories, and archival research, students gain a nuanced understanding of the historical forces that shaped the lives of people like Floyd Collins and the communities they inhabited.

Documentary

Available September – December

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Additional funding provided by: Mammoth Cave National Park Association

Reserve your copy of the Floyd Collins documentary to be sent to your classroom to start the student’s exploration of this local history.

Free of charge, while supplies last.

Preferred audiences: 5th – 12th grade

Behind the Curtain:
Floyd Collins Edition

Reservations available January – March 6, 2025 (Limited)

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Explore SKyPAC’s Children’s Gallery, Goodwin Gallery, and concert hall in an unprecedented way! Students will delve into the world of Floyd Collins through a captivating temporary exhibit featuring historic evidence and artifacts. Embark on a behind-the-scenes tour at SKyPAC to uncover how history comes alive on stage. This immersive experience paves the way for students to grasp the significance of Floyd’s enduring narrative and its relevance today.

Preferred audiences: 5th – 12th grade

Price per group (max 50 students): $400. Larger group sizes will incur further expenses.

School Day Event

Date: March 3, 2025 at 9:30am

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Thank you to our sponsor:

Embark on a special school day matinee at SKyPAC where students will delve into the captivating story of Floyd Collins alongside cave experts and artists. Through collaboration with esteemed partners like the National Cave Museum, Mammoth Cave National Park, and the Ramsey Theatre Company, students will explore the profound impact of this narrative and its significance as a musical production. Guided by Mammoth Cave National Park Rangers, students will engage in a visual arts project which involves their own comprehension of the arts and culminates a deeper connection to Floyd’s life and legacy.

Preferred audiences: 5th – 12th grade

Tickets: $7 per person, for every 10 students you will receive one (1) free adult ticket.

Behind the Curtain

An insight into the craft, creativity, and careers that make the magic possible. When you step out of the light and into the shoes of our artists you will gain a knowledge of what it takes to produce the experiences we offer. Whether it is on stage or in the gallery, we want to open our doors to educating the community about the work and vision we share.

By partnering with our experts, we can create a variety of tour experiences that meet your educational needs and inspire young artists to study and grow.

Please reach out to our Education Director, Dillon Godolphin, to enhance and develop your tour.

Thank you to our sponsor:

Houchens Insurance Group

Be a part of our history . . .

Email our Education Director to start looking towards the future.

dgodolphin@artsofsky.org