Stacey Park has more than a passing interest in the arts.

The 1997 Missouri Western State University theater graduate went on to earn a master’s degree in the arts. And with eyes wide open, she sees no lack of cultural events in the St. Joseph area.

The full-time mother is now volunteering her time to promote arts through a program premiering Saturday on Western’s television Channel 39 (St. Joseph Cablevision). “Art Beat” will air short segments during the remainder of the semester on Trails West!, Artscape (an art camp for elementary through middle-school students at Western), and a photography exhibit by Amy Holmes-George.

Ms. Park hosts the program, the premiere of which airs at 11 a.m. It will air again on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. She said that residents not involved with various arts organizations may not be aware of what’s going on.

“So far, ideas for shows haven’t been a problem because there is so much going on,” Ms. Park said.

The program fits in to Western’s five-year strategic plan, which includes a segment dedicated to building connections between the campus and community through educational, economic, cultural and social development.

Tara Stoll, video communications producer at Western, said the idea to showcase community arts events began over a year ago with actual shooting beginning this summer. The focus, she said, won’t be entirely on Western events.

“We are just trying to get out in the community and showcase what St. Joseph has for the public,” she said.

The shows will target a person on the go, Ms. Stoll said, thus the name of the show. Programs will range from five to 15 minutes in length.

“We’re trying to appeal to an audience that is busy and doesn’t have time to sit down and watch an hour-long program,” Ms. Stoll said.

Video communications specialist Kevin McQuirter works alongside Ms. Stoll and students, who get an applied learning experience through the production.

Their next project will cover the St. Joseph Symphony.

“Art Beat” can also be viewed at www.missouriwestern.edu/artbeat.

Jimmy Myers can be reached at jimmym@npgco.com.