Event News Archives - Kentucky Arts Council

Wholesale buyer registration is still open, but space is limited

There is still time for wholesale buyers to register for the Kentucky Crafted Market, and this year’s event offers even more reasons to attend. Wholesale buyers’ day will be held Friday, March 6, from 10 am to 5 p.m. at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena. In addition to a strong roster of returning Kentucky Crafted … Continued

Volunteers needed for the 2026 Kentucky Crafted Market

The Kentucky Crafted Market returns to Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park on March 6–8, 2026, celebrating the work of more than 120 of Kentucky’s finest artists and craftspeople. In addition to shopping, the Market features live music, artist demonstrations, and hands-on activities for all ages. Volunteers play a vital role in making the … Continued

Submit your activities to the Kentucky Arts Council’s event calendar

The Kentucky Arts Council invites arts, cultural and community organizations to submit upcoming public events for inclusion on the Events Calendar. To be considered, events must: All submissions are subject to approval by the Kentucky Arts Council.

Creative Industry Summit Series Survey

The Kentucky Arts Council is looking for feedback as we begin scheduling our upcoming Creative Industry Summit Series. The arts council hosts webinars and online workshops featuring notable Kentucky and national artists, best practices for arts organizations, artist professional development and more. All webinars are archived on the KAC YouTube Channel. We are asking artists and … Continued

Celebrating the Black Experience Art Exhibit Launches Kentucky Tour

The Kentucky Arts Council launched the Celebrating the Black Experience touring art exhibit this month. The fourth annual exhibit, presented by the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage (KCAAH), includes artists from all over Kentucky, and some from Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Illinois, Florida and Zimbabwe. Media includes fiber art, wood sculpture, textiles, copper, acrylic and oil paintings, drawings, and mixed media work with innovative … Continued

Celebrating the Black Experience

The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage is collaborating with the Kentucky Arts Council to bring the annual art exhibition, Celebrating the Black Experience, to locations across the commonwealth. Join curators Aukram Burton and Julia Youngblood as they present two visual artists from the exhibit, Nahla Joy of Louisville and Derek King Jr. of Lexington. This free webinar will take place Wed., June 4, 2025, 11 … Continued

Creative Industry Summit Series: New Generations of Storytellers

The Kentucky Arts Council presents a free webinar, New Generations of Storytellers, on May 14 from 11 a.m. to noon Eastern. Meet Appalachian storytellers Hasan Davis and Mitch Barrett, both of Madison County, Ky. Hasan and Mitch are mentor artists participating in the arts council’s Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program. This year, they are teaching storytelling traditions to … Continued

AI and Arts Administration: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bot

Join the Kentucky Arts Council’s Creative Industry Summit Series on May 16, 2025, at 2 p.m. Eastern. In this free webinar, arts administrator Joshua Brown will explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace and how to use AI tools to improve your practice. Brown believes AI tools can empower artists, patrons, and grantees … Continued

Governor’s Derby Exhibit is now open!

The 2025 Governor’s Derby Exhibit is now open in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. The work of 44 artists from across Kentucky, curated by the Kentucky Arts Council, will be on display through May 29. The exhibit, which carries the theme “Spring is Here,” opened April 30. Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. … Continued

Creating a Marketing Plan for Your Art Business; a Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Your Artwork Effectively

The Kentucky Arts Council will host a free webinar with Dr. Rachel Shane on May 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., focusing on marketing essentials for artists who want to sell their work, build their reputation, and connect with the right audience. This workshop offers a step-by-step framework for creating a personalized marketing plan … Continued

Nominations open for 2025 Governor’s Awards in the Arts

The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting nominations through May 31 for the 2025 Governor’s Awards in the Arts. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary and significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky. The nomination process is coordinated by the arts council, and more information about the process is available here: https://artscouncil.ky.gov/program/governors-award-in-the-arts-nominations/ … Continued

Writers’ Day Activities to take place April 24

The public is invited to attend the 2025 Writers’ Day activities in Frankfort on April 24. Kentucky Writers’ Day is an annual celebration on or around the birthday of Kentucky writer Robert Penn Warren, the first United States Poet Laureate. The Writers’ Day celebration was established in 1990, and poets laureate are inducted in odd-numbered years. This year’s … Continued

Nominations open for 2025 Governor’s Awards in the Arts

The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting nominations through May 31 for the 2025 Governor’s Awards in the Arts. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary and significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky. The nomination process is coordinated by the arts council, and more information about the process is available here. Eligibility … Continued

Accepting artwork for the Governor’s Derby Exhibit

Theme: “Spring is Here!” Exhibit runs from April 30 – May 2 The Kentucky Arts Council invites all Kentucky visual artists to submit work for consideration in the upcoming Governor’s Derby Exhibit April 30-May 29, 2025. The works selected for the exhibit will be on display in the Capitol Rotunda, and available for viewing by … Continued

Free Webinar! Taxes for Kentucky Artists & Creatives

Join us for an insightful and practical webinar on federal income tax basics tailored for creative professionals! Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull will break down key tax considerations, from common deductions for artists to how different income types impact your tax obligations. She’ll also cover essential topics like student loan interest deductions, retirement savings strategies, and … Continued

Free Webinar! From Revision to Reality: Implementing the New Visual and Performing Arts Standards

Join artist and educator Jessica Greene for a free webinar, From Revision to Reality: Implementing the New Visual and Performing Arts Standards, on April 3 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern. This session will explore updates to the Kentucky Academic Standards for Visual and Performing Arts and provide strategies for bringing them to life in … Continued

How to Get Ready for Anything! Easy Steps for Artists and Creatives

March 18, 2025, 2 p.m. Eastern Crises are unpredictable — be prepared. Join a free webinar on March 18, 2025, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, led by Mollie Quinlan-Hayes, fund development and program officer at the National Coalition For Arts’ Preparedness (NCAPER). Learn practical, cost-effective strategies to protect yourself, your work, and your materials from … Continued

Save the Date: 2025 Kentucky Writers’ Day Planning Guide

Join the Kentucky Arts Council in commemorating the literary arts with the 2025 Kentucky Writers’ Day Planning Guide, a free download available on the KAC website. The Planning Guide offer suggested activities for planning a local event to celebrate all Kentucky Writers during the month of April, which is also National Poetry Month. Kentucky Writers’ … Continued

Experience 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

Join 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

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

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

Register 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

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

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

Kentucky 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

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

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

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

Free Webinar! Confidently Teaching Creativity

Feb. 27, 2025, 10 a.m. Eastern Discover the process of creating impactful art experiences in schools. Artist Grace Henderson will share her journey of becoming a Kentucky Arts Council teaching artist, and the many things she has learned along the way. Topics will include building connections with educators, designing effective lesson plans, preparing for a residency day, and managing the operational tasks of running a small business. About the Presenter Grace Henderson lives … Continued

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.

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

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.