GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	2 

HOUSE BILL 103
Committee Substitute Favorable 5/3/89

Short Title:  Craft and Folk Schools Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors:
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Referred to:  
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January 30, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFTS AND THE JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL IN SUPPORT OF EACH SCHOOL'S CAMPAIGN EFFORT IN RAISING FUNDS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Whereas, Penland School of Crafts has served the people of North Carolina for nearly 60 years; and
Whereas, Penland School of Crafts has benefited the people of Avery, Buncombe, Madison, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties by creating hundreds of jobs in this economically depressed area of our State; and
Whereas, Penland School of Crafts was incorporated in 1929 as a not-for-profit educational institution; and
Whereas, Penland School of Crafts, in its relationship with the Greater University of North Carolina and Western Carolina University, has provided a cost effective means for students to earn academic credits as part of its curriculum; and
Whereas, in 1985, Penland School of Crafts received the Mountain Heritage Award from Western Carolina University for outstanding contributions to the preservation and interpretation of the heritage and culture of Western North Carolina; and
Whereas, Penland School of Crafts is a major resource to the school teachers of North Carolina, serving as a means for North Carolina teachers to earn certificate renewal credit; and
Whereas, Penland School of Crafts received the Gold Medal in Education for long-time service from the American Craft Council in 1987; and
Whereas, Penland School of Crafts has been recognized by the State of North Carolina as a specially designated "Statewide Arts Resource"; and
Whereas, Penland School of Crafts is the only school of its kind in our State and Country awarded national recognition by the National Endowment for the Arts with a two hundred thousand dollar ($200,000) Challenge Grant with a condition that these funds be matched three-to-one; and
Whereas, Penland School of Crafts has embarked upon a three million thirty-six thousand dollar ($3,036,000)  campaign, the second campaign in its 60-year history, to repair and rebuild many of its 47 buildings and its basic physical plant, including its water and sewage system; and
Whereas, Penland School of Crafts has already received almost one million dollars ($1,000,000) in support from local individuals, area businesses and foundations; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Penland School of Crafts, Inc., in Mitchell County, the sum of $250,000 for the 1989-90 fiscal year to support its campaign effort in raising funds for capital improvements, provided these funds are matched by the Penland School of Crafts, Inc., on a one-to-one basis.
Sec. 2.  The John C. Campbell Folk School was established in 1925 and has now served the people of North Carolina through education and economic development programs for 64 years.  The John C. Campbell Folk School, which began with community donations of land, labor, materials, and livestock, created the area's first credit union, lending library, public health nursing service, and dairy, vegetable canning, chicken breeder and craft producers cooperatives.
The John C. Campbell Folk School began residential education courses in the 1930s, veteran training programs in the 1940s, agricultural demonstration projects in the 1950s, a cooperative education program with Western Carolina University in the 1970s.  In the 1980s the John C. Campbell Folk School has become a national resource in traditional crafts, music, dance, and folklore with annual enrollment of over 3,000 students in over 300 courses, more than any other school of its kind in the country.
The John C. Campbell Folk School is a founding member of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild which now serves professional crafts producers in nine states. The John C. Campbell Folk School represents and promotes the work of over 100 of the finest craft producers in the region through its shop and national marketing network.
The John C. Campbell Folk School is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places as an official "Historical District".  The John C. Campbell Folk School is a major point of interest to travelers and tourists and contributes over a million dollars annually to the economy of North Carolina.
The John C. Campbell Folk School is recognized for its support of the principles of the North Carolina Basic Education Program through its unique outreach program serving school-age youth and teachers across western North Carolina. The John C. Campbell Folk School serves the people of North Carolina with a year-around program of concerts, theater, dances, festivals, and youth events. The John C. Campbell Folk School serves as an important meeting center for civic, business, church, professional, and youth groups from the southwestern counties of North Carolina.
The John C. Campbell Folk School is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council as a unique resource for Visual Arts, Folk Life and Community Development. The John C. Campbell Folk School has been designated and funded as a regional center for the preservation and presentation of North Carolina folk arts by the National Endowment of the Arts.
The John C. Campbell Folk School has received formal resolutions of support from Western North Carolina Tomorrow, Western North Carolina Associated Communities, the Cherokee County Commission, and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce for its capital needs. The John C. Campbell Folk School has already received over a quarter of a million dollars in support from individuals, area businesses, the Cherokee County Commission, and North Carolina corporate offices and foundations.
Sec. 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the John C. Campbell Folk School, Incorporated, in Cherokee County, the sum of $100,000 for the 1989-90 fiscal year to support its campaign to raise a half-million dollars for a new dining hall and multipurpose facility, provided that these funds are matched by the John C. Campbell Folk School, Incorporated, on a one-to-one basis.
Sec. 4.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.