Disability Can’t Stop Tamaqua Artist
The work of an inspiring Tamaqua artist will be on display until September 25 at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center.
Twenty-four-year-old Jillian Franko was born with Larsen Syndrome, a disorder that affects development of the bones in her body and limits her physical mobility, but Jillian hasn’t let her disability stop her from creating beautiful works of art.
Art plays an important role in her life, but not the only role. Jillian works as an administrative assistant at the Arts Center.
[click image for video report from BRCTV-13]
Tamaqua Night Out
In a special report to the Times-News, correspondent Donald R. Serfass describes the good times enjoyed by those taking part in Train Night in Tamaqua.
“WE-Making: How Arts & Culture Unite People to Work Toward Community Well-Being”
Micah Gursky, Executive Director of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, speaking to Erika Funke of WVIA Media about the recent report by the National Endowment for the Arts & the Kresge Foundation titled, “WE-Making: How Arts & Culture Unite People to Work Toward Community Well-Being.” Tamaqua is one of three community case studies in the nation highlighting the success of arts & cultural projects to improve social cohesion.
Senator Argall highlights Tamaqua Revitalization
Click image to view this July 2021 video edition of the Argall Report.
Senator Dave Argall highlights revitalization efforts taking place in Tamaqua Borough.
Dear Tamaqua – Tamaqua in New Light
A partnership with Touchstone Theater of Bethlehem, led by Tamaqua native James P. Jordan gave us the coaching we needed to pull off our first large-scale public initiative. Spanning two years of planning and culminating in a one mile immersive walking experience in the center of town, the project gave visible evidence of the change of momentum and exchange of energy from our past to our present and future.
More than 1,400 local residents and visitors took part in the no-cost theatrical community event held in August 2015.
NEWS REPORTS
- Community Attitudes Report released from Penn State in 2016
- Community Attitudes Report released from Penn State in 2011
- Using art to honor COVID-19 victims – WNEP 16 News April 6, 2021
- Tamaqua small business eyeing comeback – WBRE/WYOU July 12, 2020
- Congressman Meuser hosts discussion on evolution of Tamaqua – Lehighton Times News July 10, 2019
- Tamaqua arts initiative draws interest from South Carolina – Lehighton Times News April 15, 2019
- Tamaqua Arts Center seeks big sponsor from Big Benefit – Lehighton Times News March 28, 2019
- Tamaqua Partnership to mark 25th anniversary (Part 3) – Lehighton Times News February 16, 2019
- Tamaqua Partnership to mark 25th anniversary (Part 2) – Lehighton Times News February 9, 2019
- Tamaqua Partnership to mark 25th anniversary (Part 1) – Lehighton Times News February 2, 2019
- Building renovation begins in Tamaqua – Lehighton Times News April 19, 2017
- A Tamaqua Legacy | Performing arts floor honors Morgan’s ‘Stitch’ – Lehighton Times News April 18, 2017
- Tamaqua park getting upgrade – Lehighton Times News March 24, 2017
- The Republican Herald of Pottsville reported on a TACP outreach: “What can a dozen people in a room talking for two hours accomplish to improve their community?” [Read more…]
- Keystone Edge, a Pennsylvania state-wide periodical, published this article in June 2016 about Tamaqua women in business and their impact upon the renaissance of the town.
- Link to news coverage of the Dear Tamaqua event as seen on August 15, 2015 in Lehighton Times News
- Link to coverage of the Dear Tamaqua event in the newsletter published on August 13, 2015 by Rural LISC
- Link to Dear Tamaqua editorial as it appeared on August 10, 2015 in Lehighton Times-News
- Tamaqua’s Healthy Communities efforts featured in the newsletter published by the LISC Institute for Comprehensive Community Development on April 2, 2015. Read more >>>
- Link to Keystone Crossroads report (March 17, 2015) about Tamaqua’s Blueprint Communities program. Keystone Crossroads comprises a consortium of four Pennsylvania public media newsrooms who are collaborating to report in depth on the root causes of our state’s urban crisis.
- Link to Lehighton Times-News article (September 5, 2012) about “finishing touch” applied to 401 East Broad Street
- Link to Hazleton Standard-Speaker article (May 19, 2012) updating the status of the 401 East Broad Street project
- Link to Hazleton Standard-Speaker article (August 22, 2011) on the Community Health Assessment Report
- Lehighton Times-News publishes coverage of the TACP.info website launch on August 18, 2011
- Times-News profiles the coverage of rejuvenation in Tamaqua by a state history magazine
- Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine reports on rejuvenation in Tamaqua, Winter 2011 issue
REPORTS of INTEREST
- Community Attitudes Report released from Penn State in 2016
- Walkable Communities Program (April 2014)
- Community Health Strategic Plan
- Community Attitudes Report released from Penn State in 2011
- Community Health Assessment 2010 Report
- Tamaqua Area 2010 Report
- Upper Story Revitalization Plan – Final Report (December 2010)
- NY Artist Home & Studio Fact-Finding Report (September 2010)
EARLIER REPORTS
- Market Study of Upper Floor Space for Downtown Tamaqua (2008)
- Tamaqua Area Community Partnership Strategic Plan (2008)
- Elm Street Plan for the South Ward (2006) or Elm Street Executive Summary (2006)
- Tamaqua Community Action Plan – Design and Development Guidelines
- Exchange Team Final Report (2005)
- International Countryside Stewardship Exchange Report (1995)
- Strategic Work Plan (1994-2004)
Tamaqua helped to “write the book” on three reports that deserve to be listed here.
- Developing Effective Citizen Engagement: A How-To Guide for Community Leaders (2008)
- Planning for the Future: A Handbook On Community Visioning, Third Edition (2006)
- Welcome Back Downtown: A Guide to Revitalizing Pennsylvania’s Small Downtowns (2002)
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From Allendale to Tamaqua
The Art of Community: Rural South Carolina
As part of The Art of Community: Rural SC initiative of the South Carolina Arts Commission, the Allendale Rural Arts Team met in 2019 with the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, a partner of national community development intermediary, Rural LISC, and shared new ideas for community building that help transcend local challenges and demonstrate the value of ‘creative placemaking.’
Their takeaway, “We can’t change everything. But we can change some things.”
Archived Video
Our YouTube channel is home to more than 50 information-rich videos produced since 2010. Get the backstory. Go to TamaquaAreaCP.