Newsroom - Kentucky Arts Council

Finding Funding: Grant Search Basics

The Kentucky Arts Council will host a free Creative Industry Summit Series webinar, “Finding Funding: Grant Search Basics,” on Wednesday, May 6, at 11 a.m. Eastern. This session will offer practical strategies for discovering and organizing grant opportunities using free, publicly available tools and databases. Participants will learn how to locate open calls, interpret eligibility guidelines, … Continued

Nominations now open for2026 Governor’s Awards in the Arts

The Kentucky Arts Council is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Awards in the Arts, the commonwealth’s highest honor, recognizing outstanding achievement and contributions in the arts. Nominations must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Eastern on May 31, 2026. Administered annually by the Kentucky Arts Council, the Governor’s Awards in the Arts celebrate the individuals and organizations whose … Continued

April Arts E-News

Dear Friends of the Arts, Spring is arriving in Kentucky, and with it comes that familiar sense of renewal – ideas taking shape, creativity emerging, and communities gathering to share in something meaningful. That spirit was on full display at this year’s Kentucky Crafted Market. While the Market looks different each year, what remained constant and unmistakable was the extraordinary … Continued

Writers’ Day at Kentucky History Center in Frankfort on April 24

The Kentucky Arts Council will present Kentucky Writers’ Day, an annual celebration of the literary arts in Kentucky, on Friday, April 24, at 11 a.m. Eastern. The event will take place in the Brown-Forman Room at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, 100 W. Broadway St. in Frankfort. Kentucky Poet Laureate Kathleen Driskell, … Continued

Artists and the Edge Roundtable: The Opportunities and Pitfalls of AI

The Kentucky Arts Council will present “Artists and the Edge” a roundtable exploring the opportunities and pitfalls of AI on April 14 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Presenter Joshua Brown will discuss questions about the emerging technology, including what AI means for artists, and whether AI can/should be used to create art. Brown will introduce examples … Continued

Kentucky Writers’ Day 2026

Friday, April 24 Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History 100 W. Broadway St. Frankfort, KY 11 a.m., Kentucky Writers’ Day Ceremony, Brown-Forman Kentucky Room Readings by Kathleen Driskell, Kentucky Poet Laureate 2025 and 2026, former Poets Laureate Richard Taylor, Joe Survant, Sena Jeter Naslund, Maureen Morehead, George Ella Lyon, and Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate Esme Morris. Noon Public Reception, Brown-Forman Kentucky Room Enjoy light refreshments … Continued

Kentucky Voices

The Kentucky Arts Council will host Kentucky Voices, on Wednesday, April 15, 2 p.m. Eastern. Award-winning poet, essayist, teacher and Kentucky Poet Laureate Kathleen Driskell will speak with poets Dave Harrity, Leatha Kendrick, and Shauna Morgan. All four poets will share their work. Kathleen Driskell has authored six poetry collections, most recently Goat-Footed Gods (Carnegie Mellon University Press, 2025). Other collections include Blue Etiquette: Poems, a finalist for … Continued

The Kentucky Arts Council Board to Meet March 20

The board meeting will be held in person at the Mayo-Underwood Building FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 18, 2026) — The Kentucky Arts Council first- quarter board meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Eastern, March 20, at the Mayo-Underwood Building, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Ky. The meeting will be simulcast via Zoom. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or … Continued

Kentucky Arts Council Now Accepting Submissions for 2026 Governor’s Derby Exhibit

The Kentucky Arts Council is now accepting submissions for the 2026 Governor’s Derby Exhibit, returning this May in celebration of the Commonwealth’s rich artistic talent and Derby tradition. This year’s theme is “Long Shot.” Inspired by the spirit of the Kentucky Derby, the exhibit invites Kentucky artists to explore risk, resilience, and the dreamers who … Continued

Application Open for New Arts Education Grant Program

The Kentucky Arts Council is now accepting applications for the new Creative Chapters Library Program Grant. The Creative Chapters Library Program (CCLP) 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, which may … Continued

Reading Between the Lines: Common Contract Traps for Individuals in the Creative Sector

The Kentucky Arts Council will offer a free webinar Wednesday, April 1, 2 p.m. Eastern. Join attorney Yuha Jung to discuss common contract traps for individuals in the creative sector. Contracts are a routine part of creative work, but they often contain terms that can quietly shift risk, limit rights, or create long-term obligations that individuals may not fully … Continued

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Awards $77,500 Grant to the Kentucky Arts Council

Kentucky is one of 28 states to receive funding through the Creative Aging, Creative Futures program FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 16, 2026) – Team Kentucky has secured $77,500 through the Creative Aging, Creative Futures program, a national initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. As one of 28 states to … Continued

March ARTS E-NEWS

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 … Continued

Kentucky Crafted Market Returns to Lexington March 6-8

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2026) The Kentucky Crafted Market will return to Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, March 6-8. This year, more than 120 of the commonwealth’s finest artists and craftspeople will participate in Kentucky’s premier showcase of arts and crafts. “Every year, the Kentucky Crafted Market brings people together to celebrate … Continued

2026 Governor’s Derby Exhibit: Long Shot

The Kentucky Arts Council announces the return of the Governor’s Derby Exhibit this May and is pleased to reveal this year’s theme in advance of the official call to artists. Inspired by the spirit of the Kentucky Derby, the 2026 exhibit invites artists to explore the idea of the “Long Shot.” Artworks should explore the ideas … Continued

Kentucky Arts Council Issues Warning About Vendor Application Scams

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 19, 2026) – The Kentucky Arts Council is warning the public and artists about fraudulent social media posts and messages falsely claiming to accept vendor applications for the Kentucky Crafted Market. The Kentucky Crafted Market does not accept vendor applications through social media comments, direct messages, third-party websites or unsolicited emails. Participation … Continued

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

Literary artists: $7,500 and $1,000 grant applications now open

Applications are now open for the Individual Artist Fellowship and the Emerging Artist Award in literary arts (fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, play/screenwriting). Applicants may apply for either a fellowship or an emerging artist award. The deadline to apply is March 15 for both programs. Individual Artist Fellowship The Individual Artist Fellowship is a highly competitive $7,500 award for working professional Kentucky artists who have demonstrated … 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

Free Webinar: Copyright for Creatives

On Thursday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. Eastern, the Kentucky Arts Council will provide a free Creative Industry Summit Series workshop, “Overview of Copyright for Creatives.” This event will provide an introduction to copyright law with a particular emphasis on how copyright impacts artists across disciplines. This webinar will help answer questions about the legal rights … Continued

2026 Poetry Out Loud State Championship Scheduled for Feb. 12

Students compete as part of national arts education event at Farish Theater in Fayette County FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 3, 2026) – The Kentucky Arts Council will host the 2026 Kentucky Poetry Out Loud State Championship on Feb. 12, 2026. This year’s event will begin at 10:30 a.m. EST at the Farish Theater at the Lexington … Continued

Ready To Respond: Weather Preparedness and Response Communication

On Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. Eastern, the Kentucky Arts Council will host a free webinar, Ready to Respond: Weather Preparedness and Response Communication, as part of this year’s Creative Industry Summit Series. Led by Leah Hamilton, UK assistant professor and administrator for the Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network (KHERN), in partnership with Jane Marie Wix, warning coordination meteorologist with the National … Continued

Collecting Creativity: Pairing Carl the Collector with Ability-Inclusive Art Activities

The Kentucky Arts Council will offer a free Creative Industry Summit Series on Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. Eastern. Presented in partnership with Kentucky Education Television and Arts for All, this session features “Carl the Collector,” a PBS KIDS series that celebrates the many ways children think, learn, communicate, and express themselves—while building confidence and … Continued

Now Accepting Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant Applications

The Kentucky Arts Council is now accepting applications for the Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant. This program provides $4,000 to a Kentucky mentor folk or traditional artist to teach skills, practices, and culture to a less-experienced artist in their community over the course of a year. The deadline to apply is March 31. … Continued

Gov. Beshear: Kentucky Arts Council Awards $1.2 Million in Grants to Nonprofits

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 15, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 112 nonprofit arts organizations across the commonwealth will benefit from more than $1.2 million in funding in the 2026 fiscal year through the Kentucky Arts Council’s Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) grant. “The arts are essential to Kentucky, our people and our future. Not … Continued

Kentucky Crafted Market: an invitation to wholesale buyers

Dear Wholesale Buyer, We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 Kentucky Crafted Market, the premier wholesale buying event for Kentucky-made art, craft and specialty products. This year’s wholesale buyer’s day will take place March 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Kentucky Crafted Market … Continued

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

The Kentucky Arts Council will host a free webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. Eastern, featuring two traditional artists whose work reflects foodways, foraging, and folk healing practices rooted in eastern and central Kentucky. This online narrative stage highlights Linelle Rivera Rodriguez and Yani Vozos, both participants in the Kentucky Arts Council’s Folk … Continued

Applications open for new Kentucky Arts Rising Grant

The Kentucky Arts Council is now accepting applications for the new Kentucky Arts Rising (KAR) Grant, a program created to support small, community-based arts and cultural organizations that provide year-round arts programming for Kentuckians. Kentucky Arts Rising offers $1,500 in operational support to help strengthen and sustain grassroots arts organizations with limited operating budgets. This … Continued

The Kentucky Arts Council Welcomes New Kentucky Crafted Artists

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 10, 2025) – The Kentucky Arts Council has accepted 26 new artists into its prestigious Kentucky Crafted program. The Kentucky Crafted initiative supports visual and craft artists with business training, networking, exhibitions and promotional opportunities to help grow their small businesses.  The program offers participants the chance to showcase their work at … Continued

Emerging Artist Award Recipients FY 2026

Kentucky Arts Council is happy to announce the Emerging Artist Award recipients for Fiscal Year 2026.

Individual Artist Fellowship Recipients FY 2026

Kentucky Arts Council is happy to announce the Individual Artist Fellowship recipients for Fiscal Year 2026.

The Kentucky Arts Council Board to Meet Dec. 5

The board meeting will be held in-person at the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea. FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 3, 2025) — The Kentucky Arts Council fourth quarter board meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon ET, December 5 at the Kentucky Artisan Center, 200 Artisan Way, Berea, KY 40403. The meeting will be simulcast … Continued

The Kentucky Arts Council Awards $466,000 in America250KY Grants

Funding will support 39 arts organizations and 16 artists across the commonwealth FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 1, 2025) – Building on the momentum of the New Kentucky Home initiative and the commonwealth’s commitment to commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, the Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) has awarded $466,000 to support artists, arts organizations, communities and cultural institutions in … Continued

Good Acoustics: Sound Fundamentals so You Sound Great

Professional sound expert Heath Eric will share the fundamentals of audio reinforcement to ensure that performers sound their best during live performances. The webinar will include advice on running your own sound from the stage, easy tech setups, and tips and tricks for professional sound.

Arts Access Assistance Grants: Application now open!

The Kentucky Arts Council is now accepting applications for the Arts Access Assistance (AAA) grant, a program designed to support arts and health programming. The arts council is seeking proposals that use arts-based strategies to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and communities, aligning with the goals of Our Healthy Kentucky Home. Grants of … Continued

2025 Education Award: Wilma Bethel

For more than 50 years, Wilma Johnson Bethel has shared her passion for art and creativity with generations of Kentucky students. A native of Mount Sterling, Bethel discovered her love of art at an early age, inspired by a family of makers. From early lessons in observation and imitation, she developed a lifelong belief that every person possesses the spark of creativity.

2025 National Award: Teddy Abrams

Grammy Award-winning conductor, composer, and musical visionary Teddy Abrams is now entering his twelfth season as Music Director of the Louisville Orchestra. Abrams has transformed the ensemble into a national model for artistic innovation, community engagement, and creative renewal. “By bringing new works to life in collaboration with local musicians from many genres, Abrams is … Continued

2025 Artist Award: Sam McKinney

Kentucky sculptor Sam McKinney has shaped the artistic landscape of the commonwealth. A native of eastern Kentucky, McKinney’s work reflects a profound reverence for the natural world and for the Appalachian region that has inspired him throughout his life. His career stands as a testament to both artistic mastery and enduring dedication to the craft.

2025 Milner Award: Steve Wilson & Laura Lee Brown

Entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and champions of contemporary art and Kentucky culture, Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown have redefined how art can intersect with community, hospitality, and conservation. Wilson and Brown have become leading benefactors for cultural and environmental organizations across Kentucky and beyond. Their work continues to inspire new generations to imagine what’s possible when … Continued

2025 Community Arts Award: Owensboro Art Guild

Founded in the early 1960s by a group of artists and educators seeking connection and shared purpose, the Owensboro Art Guild began with a simple idea: to support one another and to present high-quality art to the public. That vision gave rise to its first juried exhibition in 1963, held in a vacant house on … Continued

2025 Folk Heritage Award: Lakshmi Sriraman

An accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, educator, and visual artist, Lakshmi Sriraman has spent her life preserving and reimagining the traditional arts of South India while enriching Kentucky’s cultural landscape. Through performance, teaching, and community engagement, she has become a bridge between ancient artistic traditions and contemporary expression, embodying the transformative power of art as both a spiritual and social force.

Applications are open for New Arts Education Grant Program

The Kentucky Arts Council is now accepting applications for the new Creative Chapters Library Program Grant. The Creative Chapters Library Program (CCLP) Grant enables public libraries to implement artist residencies in their year-round schedules. Librarians and artists work in partnership to design and implement the residencies. Proposed residencies may be focused on a specific artistic discipline or explore educational pairings such … Continued

Free Webinar! Kentucky Folklife Magazine: Stories of Community Scholars

The Kentucky Arts Council will host a free webinar on Wed., Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. Eastern/10 a.m. Central featuring stories from the newest issue of Kentucky Folklife Digital Magazine, a publication of the Kentucky Folklife Program. This Creative Industry Summit Series webinar features Yolantha Harrison-Pace of Boyle County and Brenda Bear of Lewis County, … Continued

Free Webinar! Arts Education Milestones: How the Standards Direct the Path

Join Academic Program Consultant Jessica Greene to take a closer look at the Anchor Standards and their unifying elements. Participants will reflect on their own personal milestones in music education. Process components and their purpose as actionable milestones for students will also be explored.

Free Webinar! Advocacy Strategies for Kentucky Investment in the Arts

Join Kentuckians for the Arts board chair Lori Meadows for this important webinar designed to equip nonprofit arts and creative organizations across Kentucky with the tools and strategies needed to advocate effectively.

Kentucky Arts Council Board to Meet September 19

The board meeting will be held in-person at the Woodford Theatre in Versailles. FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2025) — The Kentucky Arts Council’s third-quarter board meeting will be held on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, from 1-3 p.m. Eastern at the Woodford Theatre, 275 Beasley Drive, Versailles, Ky. The meeting will be simulcast via Zoom. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android here. The … Continued

Performing Artists Directory Applications are Now Open

The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting applications for the Performing Artists Directory (PAD), an adjudicated roster of professional Kentucky performing artists who have an established performance history. The deadline to apply is Oct. 15. It is a marketing program that offers roster artists professional development and a variety of opportunities to promote their performance work. Additionally, 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.

Applications open for second round of Kentucky Arts Council America250KY Grants

The Kentucky Arts Council is now accepting applications for the second round of America250KY Grants through August 24, 2025, for projects taking place within the grant period of Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 1, 2026. As the United States prepares to commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the commonwealth … Continued

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