SHOWCASING THE ARTS
Dr. Everett McCorvey, director of UK Opera Theatre.
KENTUCKY CRAFTED ARTISTS DIRECTORY
The current roster for the Kentucky Crafted Artists Directory.
PERFORMING ARTISTS DIRECTORY
The current roster for the Performing Artists Directory.
EXHIBITS
Current and past exhibits.
Al Smith Fellowship and Emerging Artist Programs
The Kentucky Arts Council's Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship Program was established in 1983 to recognize creative excellence and to assist in the professional development of individual, professional Kentucky artists. The $7,500 fellowships are given annually on a rotating basis by discipline. Applications from visual artists and media artists are accepted in odd-numbered years. In even-numbered years, applications are accepted from literary writers (fiction, nonfiction, play/screenwriting and poetry), choreographers and composers.
The Kentucky Arts Council's Emerging Artist Award is a $1,000 unrestricted award to early-career, professional Kentucky artists who demonstrate excellence and creativity in their work.
ARTS DAY IN KENTUCKY
Each year the Kentucky Arts Council hosts Arts Day in Kentucky, an annual opportunity for artists, teachers, organizations and those interested in the arts to celebrate what's happening in the arts across Kentucky and network with state and regional counterparts. The event is held in Frankfort. The event is also an opportunity to honor recipients of Governor's Awards in the Arts and Al Smith Fellowships.
DERBY CELEBRATION
On the first Saturday of May, the Governor's Derby Celebration offers a multitude of activities around Frankfort for Kentuckians celebrating one of our state's signature events. Amid the food, entertainment and children's activities, the Kentucky Arts Council makes certain that visitors to Frankfort on Derby morning have the opportunity to purchase some of Kentucky's finest traditional and contemporary craft and art.
GOVERNOR'S AWARDS IN THE ARTS
The Commonwealth's highest honor in the arts, the Governor's Awards recognize individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary and significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky.
NOMINATIONS FOR GOVERNOR'S AWARDS IN THE ARTS
Nominate for the Governor's Awards in the Arts.
KENTUCKY POET LAUREATE
Gov. Matt Bevin has appointed Lexington poet Jeff Worley as Kentucky Poet Laureate for 2019-20, the Kentucky Arts Council announced March 27. Worley was formally inducted during a ceremony on Kentucky Writers' Day, April 24, 2019, at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, 300 Coffee Tree Road in Frankfort.
KENTUCKY POET LAUREATE NOMINATION
The Governor appoints a Kentucky Poet Laureate to serve a two-year term. The poet laureate promotes the arts and leads the state in literary endeavors through readings and public presentations at meetings, seminars, conferences and events, including Kentucky Writers' Day.
KENTUCKY WRITERS' DAY
The Kentucky Arts Council presents Kentucky Writers' Day on or around April 24 each year in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. Citizens devoted to the literary arts gather to hear readings by Kentucky's current and former poets laureate. The festivities include a public reception where visitors can mingle with the authors and others who share their interests.
MAKINGS OF A MASTER
Kentucky is filled with folk traditions, old and new, from baskets and banjos to dancing and drumming. Learn about master folk artists, their apprentices and the culture they share through art, video interviews, live concerts and demonstrations. This exhibit celebrates 20 years of apprenticeships funded and documented by the Kentucky Arts Council.
PREVIOUS FEATURED ARTISTS
An index of past featured artists.
THE KENTUCKY CRAFTED MARKET
The Kentucky Crafted Market is the Kentucky Arts Council's signature event produced each year in the spring featuring the highest quality art, craft, literature, music, film and food found in the state. More than 200 Kentucky Crafted and select out-of-state artists, musicians and artisanal food producers make their finest work available to wholesale buyers and the general public during the three-day event.
TRADITIONAL ART OF KENTUCKY LUTHIERS
Made to be Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers was funded through a National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces grant and dedicated to the memory of master luthier, craftsman, instrument inventor and musician, Homer Ledford.