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detail of “View from the Cabin” by Lynn Dunbar  

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One of the principles that guides the work of the Kentucky Arts Council is diversity. We believe that arts programs and services should be accessible to all people and communities of the Commonwealth. The arts council recognizes that people with disabilities are artists and arts stakeholders with a quantifiable impact on Kentucky’s arts, culture and economy. Through training, consultation and example, the Kentucky Arts Council encourages and supports all of the arts and cultural organizations in Kentucky in making arts venues accessible and making arts programming inclusive. It is the law, it is good business and it is in the equal spirit of the arts.

Numbers to Consider:

  • 17 percent of Kentuckians (737, 692 people) report some level of disability.

  • In 2008, the median earnings of working-age people with disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in Kentucky were $30,600.

All Kentucky Arts Council public events are hosted in accessible spaces and feature sign language interpretation. We will make every effort to fulfill other requested accommodations.

Accessibility Advisory Group

The Kentucky Arts Council maintains an accessibility advisory group composed of knowledgeable individuals serving as a network and resource for discussing accessibility as it applies to the arts in Kentucky. Members represent the interests of different groups within the community of people with disabilities; educate and advise the arts council about the social issues related to accessibility as they apply to the arts; and serve as consultants to artists and arts organization in matters of accessibility. Membership acceptance for this group is ongoing. For more information, contact Sarah.Schmitt@ky.gov or 502-564-3757, ext. 492.

Current members:

Mary Claire O’Neal
VSA Kentucky

Bruce Burris
Latitude Artist Community

Carole Mueller
Weber Gallery/Council on Developmental Disabilities

Rachel Payne Rodgers
Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Teri Ritchie
Kentucky School for the Blind

Accessibility Site Visits and Assessments

The Kentucky Arts Council provides free accessibility site visits and consultations to Kentucky arts and cultural organizations such as museums, theaters, galleries and community arts centers. For more information contact Sarah.Schmitt@ky.gov or 502-564-3757, ext. 492.

Kentucky Resources

Regional and National Resources