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Deadline Feb. 15, 2026

Support for Kentucky Arts Organizations

The Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) and Kentucky Arts Rising (KAR) grants provide support for Kentucky-based arts and cultural organizations whose primary mission is to provide Kentuckians with year-round arts programming. Applicants with an average annual revenue of less than $100,000 will apply for KAR and those with an average annual revenue of more than $100,000 will apply to KAP.

Deadline March 15, 2026

Literary Arts: Individual Artists Fellowship and Emerging Artists Award

The Individual Artist Fellowships and Emerging Artist Awards are competitive programs for working, professional Kentucky artists who have achieved a high level of excellence and creativity in their work. Fellowships are designed for established artists, and Emerging Artist Awards are for those in the early years of their career (typically within the first 10 years of their professional artistic life). These programs are currently open for applications in the literary arts subdisciplines of fiction, creative nonfiction, play/screenwriting, and poetry.

2025 Governor's Awards in the Arts

Join us at the Berry Hill Mansion for the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, where six outstanding individuals and organizations will be honored for their contributions to the arts in Kentucky.

Webinars and Online Workshops

Creative industry Summit Series

The Kentucky Arts Council hosts webinars and online workshops featuring notable Kentucky artists, best practices for arts organizations, artist professional development, and more.

2024 Kentucky Arts Council Annual Report

"Together, we are building a Kentucky where art, business and community intersect — and where every investment returns a lasting impact." – Christopher Cathers, executive director

Support for Kentucky Arts Organizations
Literary Arts: Individual Artists Fellowship and Emerging Artists Award
2025 Governor's Awards in the Arts
Creative industry Summit Series
2024 Kentucky Arts Council Annual Report

Open Programs & Grants

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Application Deadline:

Kentucky Arts Partnership Grant

The Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) grant program provides support for Kentucky-based arts and cultural organizations, with an average annual revenue of $100,000 or more, whose primary mission is to provide Kentuckians with year-round arts programming.

Applicants with average annual revenue of less than $100,000 must apply for Kentucky Arts Rising (KAR) https://artscouncil.ky.gov/program/kentucky-arts-rising/ which is designed for smaller organizations.

Application Deadline:

Kentucky Arts Rising

The Kentucky Arts Rising (KAR) grant program provides support for Kentucky-based arts and cultural organizations, with an average annual revenue of less than $100,000, whose primary mission is to provide Kentuckians with year-round arts programming.

Applicants with average annual revenue of $100,000 or more must apply for Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) https://artscouncil.ky.gov/program/kentucky-arts-partnership-grant/, which is designed for larger organizations.

Application Deadline:

Emerging Artist Award: Literary Arts

The Emerging Artist Award is a competitive $1,000 award given to working, professional Kentucky artists who are in the early years of their career (typically within the first 10 years of their professional artistic life) and who have achieved a level of excellence and creativity in their work. Emerging Artist Awards are unrestricted and may be used in any way to enhance the artist's career. No matching funds are required, and no specific project has to be carried out with the funds.
The FY2027 Emerging Artist Award program is open for applications in the following Literary Arts subdisciplines fiction, creative nonfiction, play/screenwriting, and poetry.

We believe the arts should be accessible to all Kentuckians.

The Kentucky Arts Council is the state arts agency and is responsible for developing and promoting support for the arts in Kentucky. The mission of the Kentucky Arts Council is to foster environments for the people of Kentucky to value, participate in, and benefit from the arts.

Upcoming Events

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February 10, 2026

Collecting Creativity: Pairing Carl the Collector with Ability-Inclusive Art Activities

February 11, 2026

Ready To Respond: Weather Preparedness and Response Communication

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