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Deadline March 15, 2026

Literary Arts: Individual Artists Fellowship and Emerging Artists Award

The Individual Artist Fellowships and Emerging Artist Awards are competitive programs for working, professional Kentucky artists who have achieved a high level of excellence and creativity in their work. Fellowships are designed for established artists, and Emerging Artist Awards are for those in the early years of their career (typically within the first 10 years of their professional artistic life). These programs are currently open for applications in the literary arts subdisciplines of fiction, creative nonfiction, play/screenwriting, and poetry.

2025 Governor's Awards in the Arts

Join us at the Berry Hill Mansion for the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, where six outstanding individuals and organizations will be honored for their contributions to the arts in Kentucky.

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.

2024 Kentucky Arts Council Annual Report

"Together, we are building a Kentucky where art, business and community intersect — and where every investment returns a lasting impact." – Christopher Cathers, executive director

Literary Arts: Individual Artists Fellowship and Emerging Artists Award
2025 Governor's Awards in the Arts
Creative industry Summit Series
2024 Kentucky Arts Council Annual Report

Open Programs & Grants

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Application Deadline:

Kentucky Arts Partnership Grant

The Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) grant program provides support for Kentucky-based arts and cultural organizations, with an average annual revenue of $100,000 or more, whose primary mission is to provide Kentuckians with year-round arts programming.

Applicants with average annual revenue of less than $100,000 must apply for Kentucky Arts Rising (KAR) https://artscouncil.ky.gov/program/kentucky-arts-rising/ which is designed for smaller organizations.

Application Deadline:

Kentucky Arts Rising

The Kentucky Arts Rising (KAR) grant program provides support for Kentucky-based arts and cultural organizations, with an average annual revenue of less than $100,000, whose primary mission is to provide Kentuckians with year-round arts programming.

Applicants with average annual revenue of $100,000 or more must apply for Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) https://artscouncil.ky.gov/program/kentucky-arts-partnership-grant/, which is designed for larger organizations.

Application Deadline:

Arts Miles Program Grant

This grant program enables Kentucky teachers and schools to provide their students with high quality arts experiences by funding transportation to programs provided by organizations in the Arts Miles Directory. Schools may apply for a grant based on the roundtrip mileage from their building to the facility and driver’s pay for up to two buses per field trip. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis between October and March as funding permits.

Note: The Arts Miles Grant is a reimbursement program. Approved awards will not be paid until the field trip has been completed and the final report has been submitted.

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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January 22, 2026

Kentucky Arts Day 2026

January 28, 2026

Carrying Traditions Forward: Foodways, Foraging, and Folk Healing in Kentucky

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