MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- The Murfreesboro Parks and Rec Department has announced the Cultural Arts Laureate Program's 2024 Laureate, which marks the return of Kara Kemp for her second consecutive year holding this prestigious position. Looking back, Kemp grew up in a family of educators full of creative expression, which also led to her being highly active in the community. She has had an eclectic career in creative arts and promotes collaboration and connection through the art of storytelling.

One of her favorite things from last year and something she plans to continue in this year’s role is the Story Spark Program. This allows her to work with 4th graders at Northfield Elementary and teach them about delivering personal narratives, which increases their confidence and personal growth throughout the program. “A good story holds a balance of humor, life experience and usually some sort of lesson,” shares Kemp. “There is power in sharing that.”

Kemp is also the creator and producer of the Bloom Stage, a multi-genre art series, and the national award-winning storytelling event, United We Style.

The Murfreesboro Cultural Arts Laureate Program is a notable honor for local artists, providing recipients with further opportunities to educate, advocate and represent the community through their own creative initiatives.  Laureates serve for one year with an optional one-year renewal.

The Cultural Arts Laureate Program was founded with the intent to give experienced individual artists an opportunity to share their talents with their community, offer youth citizens and emerging artists role models within their own community, and to encourage and nurture the growing arts and creative culture in Murfreesboro. Each year the selected Laureates will use their creative practice to impact their community in a rewarding way. This program encourages artists to set goals within their own community and the community will be served by the arts, and lives will be enriched by the work of the Laureates.

More Details: For more information on The Cultural Arts Laureate Program, which was founded with the intent to give experienced individual artists an opportunity to share their talents with their community please reach out to Shayla Mayo at smayo@murfreesborotn.gov or Lynn Caldwell.