March 3, 2026
Dear Friends of the Arts,
The Kentucky Crafted Market returns to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena March 6-8. On March 6, wholesale buyers will gather for an exclusive opportunity to connect directly with talented Kentucky Crafted artists, small business owners whose creativity fuels local economies across the commonwealth. The Market opens to the public March 7-8, when thousands are expected to attend and celebrate the extraordinary breadth of Kentucky artistry.
There is still time for wholesale buyers to register. We encourage retailers and industry professionals to secure their credentials and be part of this unique opportunity to build meaningful business relationships while supporting Kentucky-made products.
From fine art and handcrafted jewelry to woodwork, textiles, pottery and more, the Market reflects the creativity thriving in every corner of our state. Buyers invest in small businesses. Families experience live music and hands-on activities. Artists share the stories behind their work; stories rooted in tradition, innovation, and place.
The impact of that creativity reaches far beyond one weekend. In fiscal year 2025 alone, participating arts organizations across Kentucky provided approximately 3.4 million unique arts experiences and collectively leveraged more than $73 million in additional funding, a powerful reminder that the arts are not only culturally enriching, but economically vital.
The Kentucky Crafted Market embodies that impact. It is more than an event. It is a celebration of connection, entrepreneurship, and the shared experiences that strengthen communities.
Meanwhile, at the beginning of 2026, arts council staff have contemplated and prepared for vibrant signs of spring. The earth appears still. Fields lie quiet. Trees stand bare against gray skies. Yet beneath the surface, life is already at work with roots stretching in darkness, bulbs gathering strength, seeds preparing to rise.
As we move toward longer days and gathering light, may we carry forward the quiet strength of this season. Support local artists. Make space for your own creative practice. Approach one another with kindness. Trust that even when growth is not yet visible, something meaningful is unfolding.
Stay safe. Stay prepared. And as always, be gentle with yourselves and each other.
With gratitude,
Chris Cathers
Executive Director
Kentucky Arts Council
Applications are now being accepted!
The Individual Artist Fellowship is a highly competitive $7,500 award given to working, professional Kentucky artists who have achieved a high level of excellence and creativity in their work. Fellowships are based on the quality of the work samples submitted by the artist. The FY2027 Fellowship is open to literary artists of fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting/screenwriting, and poetry. Deadline: March 15
The Emerging Artist Award is a competitive $1,000 award given to Kentucky artists in the early stages of their careers (typically within the first 10 years of professional artistic work). Applicants must demonstrate a high level of excellence, creativity, and artistic achievement in their work and a commitment to their creative practice. The FY2027 Emerging Artist Award program is open for applications in the following literary and arts subdisciplines: fiction, creative nonfiction, play/screenwriting, and poetry. Deadline: March 15.
The Kentucky Touring Grant is a 1:1 matching grant of up to $5,000 that helps make quality public performances available to the people of the commonwealth. The grant provides presenters with funding to present and promote performances of dance, music, theatre, and storytelling using critically reviewed performers accepted into the Performing Artists Directory. Deadline: March 31
The Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant provides $4,000 for a Kentucky mentor traditional artist to teach skills, practices and culture to a less experienced artist from the same community during the course of a year. Deadline: March 31
The Creative Chapters Library Program grant supports hands-on, sequential lifelong learning opportunities in Kentucky public libraries by funding residencies with artists from the Kentucky Arts Council Teaching Artists Directory. Librarians and artists work in partnership to design and implement the residencies. Deadline: April 30