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Impact Report: Lifelong education in the arts is encouraged

Arts Program in Schools

The 2025-2026 school year is winding down, and 1,951 students and 144 teachers from 16 counties took 23 high-quality arts field trips, totaling 2,166 arts miles through the Arts Miles Program grant. Field trip subsidies are just one of the ways the Kentucky Arts Council fulfills its commitment to lifelong learning. Check out our other education programs, like the Teaching Art Together grant and the Creative Chapters Library Program.

Deadline: June 30, 2026

Kentucky Peer Advisory Network (KPAN)

The Kentucky Peer Advisory Network consists of arts professionals on the Kentucky Peer Advisory directory available to provide six-hour consultancies to assist eligible organizations and individual artists with board development, grant writing, marketing and promotions, strategic planning, festival planning and other activities.

Deadline: Aug. 3, 2026

Kentucky Poet Laureate Nomination

The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2027-2028 Kentucky Poet Laureate. The poet laureate represents the rich literary traditions of Kentucky. While the title includes the word “poet,” the position is interpreted broadly to include writers whose accomplishments span any literary form. Nominations may be submitted by individuals or organizations within or outside Kentucky. Nominees will be considered based on having a published body of written work informed by living in Kentucky, critical acclaim demonstrating a high degree of creativity, and the ability to promote and champion the literary arts throughout the commonwealth.

Long Shot

Governor's Derby Exhibit

Part of the Governor’s Derby Celebration activities, “Long Shot” will be on display at Paul Sawyier Public Library through July 5 and features work from 41 artists representing communities across the commonwealth. From painting, mixed media and conceptual work, the exhibit reflects the energy, history, and cultural significance of the Kentucky Derby while highlighting the creativity of artists statewide. Participating artists hail from 24 counties, demonstrating the depth and diversity of Kentucky’s artistic community.

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.

Arts Program in Schools
Kentucky Peer Advisory Network (KPAN)
Kentucky Poet Laureate Nomination
Governor's Derby Exhibit
Creative industry Summit Series

Open Programs & Grants

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Application Deadline:

Kentucky Peer Advisory Network (KPAN)

The Kentucky Peer Advisory Network consists of arts professionals on the Kentucky Peer Advisory directory available to provide six-hour consultancies to assist eligible organizations and individual artists with board development, grant writing, marketing and promotions, strategic planning, festival planning and other activities. Consultancies may be scheduled for one day or over a period of time. Consultancy fees are paid by the Kentucky Arts Council. 

Application Deadline:

Kentucky Poet Laureate Nomination

The Kentucky General Assembly established the Kentucky Poet Laureate position in 1991. The Governor appoints the poet laureate for a two-year term. The word poet in the position's title is interpreted in its broadest sense to include people whose accomplishments are in any recognized literary form, including poetry, fiction, biography, creative nonfiction, playwriting, etc.

Application Deadline:

Teaching Art Together Grant

The Kentucky Arts Council strongly encourages you to read and understand the Teaching Art Together Grant guidelines and instructions before accessing the application. Like all programs of the Kentucky Arts Council, the Teaching Art Together Grant is guided by the arts council’s core values. Successful applications will embody these core values, and all applicants are strongly encouraged to read and reflect upon them before applying.

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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May 2, 2026

Governor’s Derby Exhibit: Long Shot

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