The Kentucky Touring Grant (KYT) is a 1:1 matching grant of up to $5,000 that helps make quality public performances available to the people of the commonwealth. Granted fund may be used to book performers from the Kentucky Arts Council’s Performing Artists Directory. 

Performances supported by this grant must: 

• Feature artists from the Kentucky Arts Council’s Performing Artists Directory 

• Last a minimum of 60 minutes 

• Be open and marketed to the general public (organizations with residential populations are exempt from this requirement) 

• Include a clearly identified target audience  

• Present the Performing Artists Directory artist as the primary performer 

• In addition: 

• Performances at schools must be presented after school hours and target a community audience. (Schools seeking funding for student assembly programs should apply to the Teaching Arts Together Grant Program.)  

• Performances supported by this grant may not be used to proselytize or for political or fundraising purposes.  

• Grant-funded events must be accessible to audience members and performers with disabilities. For the purpose of these guidelines, accessibility relates to the both the performance and the facility. In addition to physical access (accessible doors, parking, box office, restrooms, seating, etc.), communications and programmatic accessibility are also necessary. The National Endowment for the Arts has resources to assist organizations increase accessibility. 

• Kentucky Touring Grant funding may be used for a single performance by one artist or for multiple performances with up to five Performing Artists Directory performers as part of a festival, performance series, or season. 

• Funded performances may include artist outreach activities such as a master class for local performers, a workshop for community members, a 45-minute mini-performance for a community partner like a community center or nursing home, a Q&A with the performer, director, or choreographer, etc. The PAD artist must be involved in planning and conducting agreed upon outreach activities.   

• All eligible applications must include a signed intent to perform agreement, letter of agreement, or contract for each Performing Artists Directory performer selected. The submitted intent to perform agreement, contract, or letter of agreement must include: performer name; fee; performance venue, location, date, and time; load-in/load-out times; outreach activity description; outreach location, date and time; and other essential information.  

If necessary, contracted engagements may be made contingent upon confirmation of KYT funding. 

Eligible nonprofit organizations with annual budgets under $1,000,000 may apply (including arts organizations; public libraries; schools; cooperative extension offices; social service agencies; community-based organizations; college, university or public school-based nonprofit presenting arts organizations with discrete budgets; nonprofit institutions with residential populations such as assisted living and nursing homes, hospitals, youth and adult jails and detention centers, group and supportive living facilities, homeless and domestic violence shelters, etc.; and Kentucky state and city parks). 

The Kentucky Arts Council encourages applications from eligible organizations including: 

• Organizations serving marginalized and vulnerable populations, such as those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by ethnicity, economics, geography or disability 

• Organizations from rural and urban communities 

• Organizations that may be applying for Kentucky Arts Council support for the first time 

In addition: 

• Applicants must have existing IRS tax-exempt status at the time of application and must retain that status throughout the grant period. Government agencies and programs must provide proof of government status. 

• Applicant organizations must be legally chartered in Kentucky, have their headquarters in Kentucky, and hold their primary activities in Kentucky.  

Eligible applications will be reviewed using the following criteria: 

Performance Planning (45 points) 

• Goals and desired outcomes for requested performance(s) are clearly stated 

• Selected performer(s) meets the organization’s stated goals and outcomes 

• Intent to perform, letter of agreement, or contract for each performance is complete and signed by both parties 

Marketing/promotion (15 points) 

• Marketing/promotion plans are appropriate  

Evaluation (15 points)  

• Applicant’s evaluation plan ensures impact  

Accessibility (15 points) 

• Multiple accessibility options for artists and audiences are identified 

Budget (10 points) 

• Grant request indicates appropriate matching funds 

The Kentucky Touring Grant is a matching grant. Applicants may request up to $5,000 for artist fees, marketing and promotion. Funding may be used only for performers who have juried into the Performing Artist Directory. Grantees must match at least 25% of the Kentucky Arts Council requested funding with cash from other grants, donations, ticket sales, sponsorships, etc. No more than 25% of the match may be secured with in-kind goods and services.  

For example: 

Kentucky Touring Request  $5,000 

Matching Cash  $3,000 

Matching In-Kind $2,000 

Total Matching $5,000 

Total Budget  $10,000 

NOTE: Applicant’s total budget may exceed the request + matching, though the applicant is responsible for raising any additional funding required and must reflect that amount in the application budget. Do not include any performances, activities, or other events outside of those with the Performing Artists Directory performer(s). 

Kentucky Touring Grant funds may not be used for: 

• Expenses other than approved performer fees and performance marketing and promotion 

• Performers not juried into the Performing Artists Directory 

• Fee support for performing artists who are also the applicant organization (e.g., a producing theater organization cannot use grant funding to present a performance by its own company members, an orchestra cannot use grant funding to present performances by orchestra members, etc.) 

• Performances taking place outside of Kentucky 

• Performances that are commercial in nature or in which the arts are not a primary focus (e.g., sidewalk sales, food festivals, fireworks displays, etc.) 

• Performances used to proselytize or for political or fundraising purposes 

• Performances in which the Directory artist is not the primary focus  

• Performances that are not open to the public (institutions serving resident populations are exempt from this restriction) 

• Performances taking place outside of the grant period (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) 

Applicants with past due final reports for any Kentucky Arts Council grant are ineligible. 

Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN or EIN)  

All nonprofit applicants must provide their Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued determination of nonprofit status. The applicant’s FEIN number must be noted on the letter. Government agencies must provide appropriate documentation of nonprofit status including their FEIN number.  

Unique Entity ID (UEI) Number 

The Kentucky Touring program uses funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, which requires that each applicant register for a free UEI number. To learn more and to register for a free UEI number, access the Sam.gov registration portal. It can take up to 10 days to receive a UEI number. Applicants that do not currently have a UEI should apply for one as soon as possible to receive the number before the application deadline.  

Kentucky Vendor Number 

All applicants must be registered in the Kentucky Finance Department’s Kentucky Vendor Registration System at the time of application. To register for a free Kentucky Vendor Number, access the Kentucky Vendor Self-Service Registration portal. 

Applications for this program are made through the Kentucky Arts Council GO Smart online grants management system. Late applications will not be accepted. Ineligible and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.  

Submission of the application indicates that you have read and understand all guidelines and application instructions but does not guarantee eligibility or that all guideline requirements have been met. The Kentucky Arts Council strongly advises applicants to review all guidelines and instructions included in this document. 

Applicants new to the GO Smart application system must create a profile, including a username and password, for use whenever the account is accessed. The Kentucky Arts Council does not maintain username and password information. If you forget or lose your username or password, open the application, click on Login and use the prompt to reset your login information. Do not create multiple profiles. 

The GO Smart profile page requires the applicant organization’s congressional district number and state legislative district numbers.  

PROFILE PAGE 

Select Organization as Profile Type. 

Enter your first and last name as required, as well as your phone number and email address. Then create your username and password. Make a note of these as the Kentucky Arts Council does not maintain application login information and you will need it each time you login. 

APPLICANT INFORMATION 

Enter your organization’s legal name (as noted on your IRS determination letter), address, FEIN number, and other required information.  

Click the CAPTCHA box next to “I am not a robot” and then submit. 

You may now access the application by selecting the “Current Programs and Applications” tab. Find “Kentucky Touring 2027” and click “START.” 

NOTE: Always click the “Save Work” button at the bottom of the page before moving from one page of the application to another or leaving the application. Forgetting to click the “Save Work” button will result in the loss of information. 

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION 

Organization legal name
Include the Organization’s legal name as it appears on the IRS determination of nonprofit status letter and all legal documents such as tax and insurance forms. 

Authorizing Organization Contact
Include information for the person responsible for running the organization—typically the executive director, president or CEO. In smaller organizations with few or no staff, this may be the board chair. This person will receive the award letter and the grant agreement form through DocuSign. 

Grant Application Contact
Include information for the person who wrote and can answer applications about the grant, if different from the Authorizing Organization Contact. 

NEA QUESTIONS 

The National Endowment for the Arts requires that the Kentucky Arts Council collect this information for reporting purposes. Other than the amount requested, all information is estimated for your upcoming season. While required, this page is not scored by the review panel.   

PERFORMANCE PLANNING 

Enter the name of your first selected performer and agreed upon performance date. Upload the signed intent to perform, contract, or letter of agreement, and indicate additional performers by selecting “Yes” or “No.” Selecting “yes” will trigger a new section for the next performer. 

Once all performer information has been added, respond to the prompts that follow. If presenting more than one performer, include a response for each performer. 

MARKETING/PROMOTION 

Describe the organization’s experience reaching audiences for past performances and plans for reaching an audience for requested performer(s). Include plans for advertising, social media, flyers and posters, direct marketing, press releases, interviews, newsletters, etc.  

EVALUATION 

Describe how the organization will evaluate the success of each performance. 

ACCESSIBILITY 

Explain the organization’s approach to accessibility for the audience and performers. Include physical accessibility options like ramps, elevators, and accessible parking, bathrooms, water fountains, and seating; communication accessibility options like sign language interpreters, large print materials, braille signage, live captioning, assisted listening devices, and audio description; information and planning accessibility options like the use of accessibility symbols, accessible websites and registration pages, and options for patrons to request accommodations in advance and at the performance. 

BUDGET 

Complete a simple budget for each performance. Include your KAC grant request and required matching funds. Matching funds do not have to be in-hand, but you must indicate your ability to meet the required match. 

SIGNATURE 

Complete the application by attaching your e-signature and adding your printed name, title, and the date. 

SUBMIT 

Before submitting your application, review it carefully by selecting the PDF link at the bottom of the page. You can go back into any sections of the applications to make corrections. Once the application is complete, clicking the SUBMIT button.  

GO Smart will re-direct to a page saying that your application has been submitted, and you will receive an email confirming that it was received. If you do not see the GO Smart message or receive the email confirmation, contact the program director immediately. If the program director is unavailable, leave a message or send an email that documents your contact with the office about the issue. 

Grant Agreement Forms 

Applicants that receive a favorable recommendation enter into a legal agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Agreements cannot be altered without prior approval from the arts council’s executive director.  

Grant agreements must be signed and returned within 15 days to initiate payment. All grant funds must be dispersed by June 30, 2027. Funds will not available after the grant period. 

Crediting Requirement 

Grantees are required to clearly acknowledge support from the Kentucky Arts Council in their programs and related promotional material including publications and websites by including the KAC logo and acknowledgement line. All acknowledgements, including curtain speeches, must clearly indicate that funds from the Kentucky Arts Council were provided for the presentation of the specified performer(s).  

Legislative Letters 

KYT grant recipients are responsible for contacting their legislators to share information about their award and the importance of public funds to the arts as well as to the applicant organization. Copies of each letter must be sent to the Kentucky Arts Council by email or U.S. Post no later than Aug. 30, 2026.  

To locate names and contact information for your legislators visit the Legislative Research Commission’s Find Your Legislator webpage. A sample letter is available on the Kentucky Arts Council website.  

Final Reports  

Kentucky Arts Council grantees must submit a final report within 30 days of completion of the grant period and no later than July 30, 2027. The final report may be accessed through the online grant system. 

If a grantee fails to submit the required final report for any grant, the arts council will accept no future applications from the grantee organization until an acceptable final report is received. In addition, any grant money payable to the organization will be held until after the required final report is submitted. 

Information from final reports will be used to meet the Kentucky Arts Council’s reporting requirements to the National Endowment for the Arts. 

The Kentucky Arts Council program director will be available to answer questions about the program and the GO Smart application during regular office hours. Applicants who have not previously applied to the Kentucky Arts Council are strongly encouraged to contact the program director or attend an application webinar. The program director will offer the following opportunities to applicants: 

Zoom office hours: Mondays, Feb. 9 & 23 and March 9, 2-3 p.m. Eastern. 
Registration required: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/eP7smXqFQ027CoOKH1Pw7w.
  

Zoom application webinars: Monday, Feb. 26, 2-3 p.m. Eastern. 
Registration required: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/R5nk1PSqTYuviBPcTDaMbg.