The Performing Artists Directory is an adjudicated roster of professional Kentucky performing artists who have an established performance history. It is a marketing program that offers roster artists professional development and a variety of opportunities to promote their performance work, including a detailed entry in the online directory. In addition, the directory is used by in- state and out-of-state presenters and others as a resource for identifying artists for performance bookings and projects.

The Kentucky Arts Council does not provide artist management.

Purpose

The purpose of the Performing Artists Directory is to promote, showcase and provide professional development opportunities to a diverse selection of Kentucky’s finest contemporary and traditional performing artists.

Goals

• Provide experienced, professional performing artists with opportunities to connect with performing arts venues.
• Provide market, promotion and other business training to professional performing artists.
• Support the artistic growth of outstanding professional performing artists.

• Full-time and part-time professional tour-ready artists, companies and groups in dance, music, theater and storytelling may apply.
• Music applicants must primarily perform original music, songs in the public domain or a combination of the two.
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Student-based performance groups must perform regularly off-campus for professional fees.
• Applicants must have been full-time Kentucky residents for at least six months prior to the application deadline and remain full-time residents for the program participation period.
• Performing groups must include a majority (more than 50 percent) of Kentucky residents as members.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence or have permission from the Department of Homeland Security to work permanently in the U.S.

Residency Requirements

Applicants must be United States Citizens, lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence or have permission from the Department of Homeland Security to work permanently in the U.S. Applicants must have been legal Kentucky residents for a period of at least six months immediately prior to the application deadline (i.e., legal residency must have begun no later than March 30, 2025, for applications due Sept. 30, 2025).

For proof of residency, applicants must submit a copy of two of the following documents by the application deadline to the address at the end of these guidelines:

• • Kentucky driver’s license or State of Kentucky identification card that includes the date issued and the expiration date. (Note: The arts council will not accept both a Kentucky driver’s license and a Commonwealth of Kentucky identification card as the required two proofs of residency.)
  • Kentucky voter registration verification from the State Board of Elections’ Voter Information Center website
  • 2023 or 2024 Kentucky State Income Tax Form 740 (full-year resident)
  • A copy of a Kentucky utility bill (electric, gas or water) from July or Aug. 2025 that includes the applicant’s name and current address

1. Artistic Excellence (60 percent)
2. Performance Experience (20 percent)
3. Marketing Capacity (20 percent)

Performers whose repertoire consists primarily of covers of copyrighted music that is not their own are not eligible to apply.

Vocalists performing with prerecorded music are not eligible to apply. (Hip-hop performers are not limited by this restriction.)

Requirements

• Performers accepted into the Performing Artists Directory must re-apply after three years.
  • After successfully jurying into the program twice consecutively (e.g., FY27 and FY30), performers will be required to reapply only if they fail to respond to requests for updated information, change performance genre, change performer status (e.g., switch from a solo act to a group or vice versa).
  • Artists who leave or who are dropped from the directory for any reason must repeat the application process.
  • If you are uncertain as to whether you need to reapply to the directory, contact the program director.
• Performers accepted into the Directory will receive a Program Agreement Form (PAF) detailing benefits and responsibilities as an adjudicated participant of the Performing Artists Directory. PAFs must be signed and returned to the arts council by Dec. 12, 2025. Failure to return a signed PAF may result in removal from the program.
• Performers accepted into the Directory are required to attend a virtual program orientation on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, 1-3 p.m. Eastern and at least two free virtual training webinars (to be scheduled). Returning directory artists are also welcome to attend orientation and/or training events.
• Performers new to the Directory must complete a SurveyMonkey after orientation.
• Directory performers must notify their legislators about their selection for the Performing Artists Directory and to let them know the importance of public funding for the arts. A sample letter is available online. Personalize the letter and mail it to your state senator and representative within 30 days of signing your Program Agreement Form. Copies of the letters should be mailed to the Kentucky Arts Council.
  NOTE: The Kentucky Arts Council receives funds from the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). We need your help in keeping members of the Kentucky General Assembly informed of arts funding for their districts so that state funding for the Kentucky Arts Council will continue and perhaps grow in the future.
• Directory performers must acknowledge the Kentucky Arts Council in all published materials and announcements (print and electronic) including websites, social media, advertising promotions, news releases, printed programs, catalogs, flyers, posters, literature and other publicity using the arts council logo and program credit line as appropriate.
• Directory performers must comply with all program guidelines and conduct business in a professional manner throughout their time in the Directory or risk being removed from the program.

Benefits

• Adjudication by industry professionals.
• Representation in the online Performing Artists Directory on the arts council website.
• Eligible for application to the Kentucky Peer Advisory Network (KPAN), a program that provides consultations in a variety of professional areas such as marketing, promotion, copyright and trademark law, emergency preparedness, event planning, etc.
• Performance and marketing opportunities in association with other arts council programs.
• Referrals to presenters, community groups, schools, businesses, governmental agencies and others requesting assistance identifying high-quality performing artists.

Applications for this program are made through the Kentucky Arts Council GO Smart online grant system.

When first accessing the GO Smart application system, applicants 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 a duplicate account.

• When creating a Profile, Performing Artists Directory applicants must select “Individual” even when applying for a group or company.
• Carefully review the program guidelines.
• To locate state and congressional district numbers:
  • Contact your county clerk’s office or go to the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission website for state district numbers.
  • Find your congressional district here.

You may also find district numbers with your voter registration information on the State Board of Elections’ Voter Information Center website.

Upon completion on the Profile page, you will be redirected to the main page and may now access the application by selecting the “Grant Applications & Forms” tab. Open the application by locating “Performing Artists Directory 2027” and clicking “START.” To return to your application in progress, click “EDIT.”

Applicants must upload two professional quality images of the performer. Images must be JPG or JPEG format, 72 pixels per inch and at least five inches on the long side. Color and black and white images are acceptable. Do not include promotional materials.

Work Samples

Work samples are the primary means by which panelists assess artistic excellence. Carefully consider your choice of work samples in relation to the program’s performance expectations.

Applicants to the Performing Artists Directory must submit links to two video work samples that are easily accessible without passwords or codes. Work sample links requiring a password, login or other access requirements will not be reviewed.

• At least one work sample must be a performance in front of a live audience.
• Musicians only may also include one audio work sample no longer than three minutes total.
• Each submitted link must lead directly to the corresponding work sample. Do not include a page of links as a work sample. (A link to a specific video included on a webpage of samples is acceptable.)
• Work samples must support the selected discipline or medium (e.g., dancers must submit work sample video of dance performances only; musicians must submit work samples of musical performances only, etc.).
• Work samples must have been completed within the past full three calendar years (for example, for the application deadline of Sept. 30, 2025, eligible work must have been completed between Jan. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2025).
• Work samples of applicants applying as solo performers must demonstrate solo performances. Work samples of applicants applying as a group or company must demonstrate performances by the group or company.
• Applicants may submit links to edited or full-length video samples but must include exact start and end times.
• Applicants must complete a work sample index that includes the work sample title, the year of the performance, the total length of work sample, and the stop and start times preferred.

NOTE: Panelists will review only 10 minutes total of the combined work samples. Stop and start times ensure panelists see the selections preferred by the applicant.

Applicants are required to respond to criteria concerning their performances, their touring experience, their marketing plan, and their ideas for integrating the Directory into their plan for marketing to further promote themselves as performers for hire.

In addition to narrative responses, applicants must include a link to their electronic press kit, which should include marketing information targeting potential booking organizations, and upload up to five (5) pages of marketing materials that you provide to potential bookers (flyer, poster, program copy, social media posts, etc.).

Applicants may upload up to three letters of support from previous presenters (not required).

A panel of arts professionals will review all applications according to the performance criteria. Keep in mind that panels may include out-of-state panelists who may be unfamiliar with the state’s organizations, artists, and/or communities. Prepare your application with this in mind.

Programs receiving fewer than five eligible applications will not receive a panel review and applicants will be encouraged to apply at the next deadline.

Applicants that receive a favorable recommendation enter into an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Agreements cannot be altered without prior approval from the arts council’s appropriate program manager. Program artists are required to promptly notify the arts council in writing of any changes to their contact person, address, phone number, email address, group name, performance style, etc.

Applicants new to the Kentucky Arts Council are encouraged to speak with the program director before applying to the Performing Artists Directory.

The program director is available to offer the following support:

• Answers to applicant questions
• Consultation regarding applicant eligibility
• Application review (applicant must contact the program director at least two weeks prior to the application deadline to receive an application review)

In addition, applicants are encouraged to join the program director during:

• • Zoom office hours: Tuesdays, Sept. 9, 16, and 23, 3 p.m. Eastern, Registration required
  • Zoom application workshop: Friday, Sept. 19, 4 p.m. Eastern, Registration required