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December 2024 Board Minutes

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

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

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

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

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

America250KY: 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

Kentucky Touring Grant application now open

The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting applications for the FY2026 Kentucky Touring Grant (KYT), a matching grant supporting public performances statewide. The grant helps presenters book performers from the council’s Performing Artists Directory.

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.

Press Release: 28 New Artists Join the Kentucky Crafted Program

Team Kentucky has accepted 28 new artists into its prestigious Kentucky Crafted program.

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.

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.

June 2024 Board Minutes

2024 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.

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. 

2024 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

2024 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

2024 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

2024 Community Arts Award – Individual: Jeffrey A. Reed

Jeffrey A. Reed, music director of Orchestra Kentucky since its founding in 2000, blends classical and popular music, creating authentic experiences that celebrate the soundtracks of music’s greatest decades. His programming spans from the 17th century to the present, honoring milestones and anniversaries of composers such as Beethoven, Mahler, and Stravinsky, alongside icons like Elvis, … Continued

2024 Community Arts Award – Organization: Yes Arts

Founded in 2016, Yes Arts is a community-focused organization dedicated to providing high-quality, low-cost, or subsidized arts programming. By partnering with local artists and community organizations, Yes Arts aims to mobilize the power of community and the arts to disrupt the cycle of addiction and support those at risk of substance use disorders. Yes Arts … Continued

2024 Artist Award: Gregory Turay

Internationally acclaimed tenor Gregory Turay has captivated audiences around the globe with his powerful voice and remarkable artistry. With a career spanning over 20 years, Turay has earned some of the highest accolades in the opera world, establishing himself as a leading figure in the genre. Turay’s repertoire includes many of opera’s most beloved roles, … Continued

2024 Milner Award: Mark Lenn Johnson

Mark Lenn Johnson is the president of Art Inc. Kentucky, a nonprofit arts incubator dedicated to supporting emerging artists across the state. Under his leadership, Art Inc. has transformed from a visionary concept into a thriving brick-and-mortar reality in Lexington’s East End. The organization provides professional development assistance, offering entrepreneurial classes covering a range of … Continued

2024 Award Artist: Yoko Nogami

The 2024 Governor Awards in the Arts commissioned artworks were created by Yoko Nogami, an interdisciplinary artist born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. Currently residing in Letcher County, Kentucky, she is a prominent advocate for arts education and accessibility. Nogami serves as the Cultural Arts & Education Director with Cowan Community Action Group, Inc., while … Continued

September 2024 Board Minutes

Governor’s Award in the Arts Recipients Past to 2023

Kentucky Arts Council is happy to announce the past Governor’s Award in the Arts Recipients.

TranspARTation Award Recipients FY 2025

Kentucky Arts Council is happy to announce the TranspARTation Award recipients for Fiscal Year 2025. Eastern Elementary SchoolBarren CountySKyPACAward: $305 Bowen Elementary SchoolPowell CountyLexington Children’s TheatreAward: $1,000 W.B. Muncy Elementary SchoolLeslie CountyArt Center of the BluegrassAward: $440 F.T. Burns Middle SchoolDaviess CountyRiverPark CenterAward: $180 Owen County High SchoolOwen CountyThe Speed Art MuseumAward: $320 Phelps High … Continued

TranspARTation Award Recipients 2023-2024

FY 2024 Recipients Catlettsburg Elementary SchoolBoyd CountyLouisville OrchestraAward: $752 William G. Conkwright Elementary SchoolClark CountyEastern Kentucky University Center for the ArtsAward: $1,118 Pulaski Elementary SchoolPulaski CountyEastern Kentucky University Center for the ArtsAward: $440 Fancy Farm Elementary SchoolGraves CountyCarson Center for the Performing ArtsAward: $116 Newton Parrish Elementary SchoolDaviess CountyRiverPark CenterAward: $80 Strode Station ElementaryClark CountyThe … Continued