Resources available for artists, craftspeople and arts organizations
A major disaster declaration was made (DY-4860-KY) following the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides of Feb. 14, and the counties eligible for some public and individual assistance are growing. The Kentucky Arts Council is dedicated to helping the arts and cultural sector connect with the unique resources they need to recover. The … Continued
Read MoreExperience Kentucky’s Rich Traditions at the Kentucky Crafted Market!
Join us for the Kentucky Crafted Market on March 8 and 9 at the Kentucky Horse Park Alltech Arena, where some of Kentucky’s finest artists will showcase their work. While you explore incredible handcrafted goods, be sure to visit the Folklife Zone — a unique space where tradition bearers will demonstrate the artistry woven into … Continued
Read MoreJoin the Fun! Hands-On Activities at the Kentucky Crafted Market
Experience Free, Fun, and Family-Friendly Activities! Join us at the Kentucky Crafted Market on March 8 & 9 at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena for an exciting day featuring prestigious Kentucky Crafted artists and a hands-on activity area filled with creativity, learning, and fun for all ages. Explore engaging activities from these fantastic organizations: … Continued
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Now Accepting Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant Applications
Do you know a tradition-bearer who is ready to teach someone in their cultural group? They might be a good candidate for the Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant. This program provides up to $4,000 to a Kentucky mentor folk or traditional artist to teach skills, practices and culture to a less experienced artist from the … Continued
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Kentucky Writers’ Day Planning Guide
What is Kentucky Writers’ Day? The Kentucky General Assembly established Kentucky Writers’ Day in 1990 to honor Kentucky’s strong literary tradition and to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Kentucky native Robert Penn Warren, the first poet laureate of the United States and winner of three Pulitzer Prizes. The Kentucky Arts Council celebrates Kentucky Writers’ … Continued
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Free Webinar! Arts Education and Accessibility
Join us March 27, 2025, 5 p.m. Eastern Join us for a free webinar, “Arts Education & Accessibility,” on March 27, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. This session will explore strategies for designing an arts curriculum that is accessible to all students. Participants will learn how to apply principles of universal design, incorporate adaptive tools, … Continued
Read MoreRegister now for Wholesale Buyers’ Day
Feb 18, 2025 There is still time to register for the 2025 Kentucky Crafted Market Wholesale Buyers’ Day! Join the finest retailers and galleries from across the nation to explore the prestigious Kentucky Crafted brand. The Market will be open exclusively to wholesale buyers from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 7, at … Continued
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Free Webinar! The Business of Art, The Art of Business
Join us Feb. 19, 2025, 2 p.m. Eastern Unlock the full potential of your creative enterprise with this dynamic and interactive workshop with artist Mark Lenn Johnson. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your artistic career, this session will empower you with the tools, tips and strategies needed to thrive in the … Continued
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Free Webinar! Growing an Inclusive Arts Workforce
The Kentucky Arts Council’s Creative Industry Summit Series continues on March 5. In this free webinar, Employment Specialist Dan Trabue shares ideas and tips to help arts employers to grow a more inclusive workforce. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 5 from 11 a.m. to noon. Dan Trabue has a degree in Special … Continued
Read MoreKentucky Crafted Market returns to Kentucky Horse Park in March
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 7, 2025) – The Kentucky Crafted Market will return March 7-9 to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena in Lexington. This New Kentucky Home experience showcases the commonwealth’s vibrant artistic community, featuring Kentucky’s top visual and craft artists. “The Kentucky Crafted Market not only highlights our talented artists but also supports local … Continued
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Visit the Market Stage!
The Market Stage at the Kentucky Crafted Market is home to live music by some of the commonwealth’s most exciting performers. Selected in recognition of their artistic excellence, all of the stage performers are part of the Kentucky Arts Council’s Performing Artists Directory. All members of the directory have been chosen by a panel of … Continued
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Volunteers Needed for The Kentucky Crafted Market 2025
The Kentucky Crafted Market is returning to the Horse Park’s Alltech Arena in 2025, with live music, demonstrations and hands-on activities rounding out this opportunity to buy from Kentucky’s finest artists and craftspeople. It takes many hands to produce a large-scale, successful event of this kind. Volunteers are needed from Thursday, March 6, through Sunday, … Continued
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Free Webinar! The Homer Ledford Award
Feb. 19, 2025, 11 a.m. ET The Kentucky Folklife Program, based at Western Kentucky University, began presenting the Homer Ledford Award in 2007. Named after the influential stringed instrument maker who lived in Winchester, this award is given every other year to a Kentucky luthier who demonstrates outstanding craftsmanship and is celebrated by the communities of musicians they serve. In … Continued
Read MoreAmerica250KY: Exploring 250 Years Through the Arts
With support from the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky General Assembly, the Kentucky Arts Council is offering grant funds up to $10,000 arts and cultural organizations, communities, or other nonprofit entities and up to $5,000 for individual artists. As the United States prepares to celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of … Continued
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Buyers can now register for the Kentucky Crafted Market
The Kentucky Crafted Market is back, and wholesale buyers are invited to attend the 2025 show.
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Call for Artists! Celebrating the Black Experience
The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage is accepting applications from artists for their upcoming visual art exhibition, "Celebrating the Black Experience." Applications are open now through Jan. 24, 2025.
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Free Webinar! Creating Inclusive Arts Programming with the Universal Design for Learning 3.0
Learn dynamic techniques to reach all learners in your classroom using the updated Universal Design for Learning (UDL). In this one-hour professional development session, Catie Bates Robertson of Arts for All Kentucky will introduce you to the UDL and recent 3.0 modifications. You will be provided with a general understanding of this method and how to use UDL in arts-based instruction. Jan. 23, 2025, 5 p.m. Eastern
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Free Webinar! Wholesaling for Artists and Craftspeople
Learn the basics of becoming "wholesale ready" in this informative session. Whether you're working directly with buyers or networking through your website and social media, Melissa Oesch will share strategies for turning your passion into a thriving wholesale business. Participants will gain practical tips on handling product inquiries, fulfilling orders, negotiating lead times, and meeting delivery expectations. Jan. 15, 2025, Noon, Eastern time.
Read More2024 National Award: Tyler Childers
Childers’ deep-rooted connection to his home state significantly influences his songwriting, often exploring themes related to coal mining—an homage to his father's profession—and shedding light on the experiences of communities in eastern Kentucky.
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2024 Media Award: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
Coverage and promotion of the local arts community has long been a priority of the Messenger-Inquirer, and they continue to maintain a reporter dedicated to the coverage of the arts.
Read More2024 Government Award: Carl M. Brashear Radcliff Veterans Center
The Carl M. Brashear Radcliff Veterans Center is dedicated to serving Kentucky’s veterans by fostering independence, preserving dignity, and providing compassionate care. Located in Radcliff, Kentucky, this state veterans home features 120 beds and operates under the Community Living Center (CLC) model, offering all private suites with private baths. The facility is designed with a … Continued
Read More2024 Folk Heritage Award: Cheryl Pan
Cheryl Pan is a distinguished dance artist renowned for her extensive professional training in Chinese classical and folk dances. After years of rigorous training in China, she has dedicated her career to teaching various Chinese ethnic dances, many of which are rarely seen in the United States. Pan has taught hundreds of children and adults … Continued
Read More2024 Education Award: The Louisville Academy of Music
The Louisville Academy of Music has made a lasting impact on the musical landscape of the city, teaching music to thousands of students over its 70 years. Founded in 1954 by Robert French, the Louisville Academy of Music began in an apartment on Bardstown Road, offering vocal and instrumental lessons. The Academy later moved to … Continued
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