Dear friends of the arts,
The arts have an incredible ability to meet us where we are: on a stage, in a gallery, inside a classroom or between the pages of a book. But just as often, creativity finds us somewhere unexpected: waiting for a bus, walking a trail, visiting a state park or spending a summer day at the Kentucky State Fair.
This month, we’re celebrating the many ways Kentucky artists are bringing creativity into the places and experiences that connect us as a commonwealth.
Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate Madelyn Dinh recently helped kick off the Kentucky State Fair, bringing poetry to one of our state’s most beloved traditions. We love seeing a young Kentucky artist given a platform like this. It reminds us that the fair is not only a celebration of our agricultural traditions, but also of the culture, creativity, and people who make Kentucky such a special place to call home.
Our state parks are becoming places for creative discovery as well. Kentucky Poet Laureate Kathleen Driskell recently received a $50,000 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship to establish the Kentucky Poets Laureate Trail at Pine Mountain State Resort Park. It’s another exciting example of the possibilities that emerge when arts, tourism and Kentucky’s natural and cultural resources come together.
We’re seeing those connections in our cities, too. Lextran recently selected four artists to transform bus shelters along Versailles Road in Lexington into vibrant works of public art. Among them is Kentucky Crafted artist Lindsey Kiser. Soon, thousands of people traveling that corridor will encounter original Kentucky art as part of their everyday lives. Katrina Ratterman, Jennifer Hart, and Skyla Oaks will also be creating pieces for the project.
These projects may look very different, but they share something important: they make the arts accessible. They create opportunities for people to encounter poetry, visual art, and creative expression without ever having to walk through the doors of a typical arts venue.
Building a strong arts community also means making sure artists and cultural organizations have the resources they need. This month, we’re sharing opportunities from our partners at South Arts for individual artists and organizations, including new support for literary artists and opportunities to bring Southern artists into communities. We’re also proud to celebrate Lexington artist Dianna Settles, who has been named the Kentucky Fellow for the 2026 Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts.
Supporting the arts also means preparing for difficult moments. As the Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network prepares to participate in the upcoming Arts Disaster and Preparedness Conference at the University of Kentucky, it’s a good opportunity to remember that resources are available to help Kentucky’s arts and cultural organizations prepare for emergencies and protect the collections, objects, and stories entrusted to their care.
Here at the Kentucky Arts Council, we’re looking toward the future as well. We’re currently seeking our next arts education director, who will help us continue building meaningful arts experiences and opportunities for learners of all ages across the commonwealth.
From a poem at the state fair to artwork at a bus stop, from a trail through the mountains to the next generation discovering their own creativity, the arts are part of the fabric of Kentucky.
Sometimes we just have to look around and notice them.
Thank you for all you do to keep the arts thriving across our commonwealth.
Chris Cathers
Executive Director
Kentucky Arts Council
Episode 69:
The grants are in
Arts Calendar
Poetry Connected: Observing Light
Sept. 3, 2026, 6 to 7 p.m.
Art Center of the Bluegrass 401 W. Main St., Danville, KY , 40422
Carnegie Classics: Pride & Prejudice Regency Romance Discussion with Gwenda Bond and Maggie Garnett
Sept. 17, 2026 7 p.m.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
161 Lexington Green Circle, Lexington, KY, 40503
The Woodford Theatre presents “FOOTLOOSE! The Musical!”
Sept. 18 through Oct. 4, 2026 Woodford Theatre
275 Beasley Road, Versailles, KY 40383
StageOne Family Theatre’s Walden Conservatory presents “A Wrinkle in Time”
Sept. 18
Walden Theatre
1123 Payne St.,
Louisville , KY 40204
An Evening With Claudia Love Mair
Sept. 21, 2026, 6 p.m. Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning
251 W Second St., Lexington, KY 40507
The Bluegrass Youth Ballet presents Alebrijes
Sept. 24, 25, and 26,
Lexington Opera House
401 W. Short St., Lexington, KY 40507
The James Baker Hall Foundation presents an Evening with Ben Sollee and Friends
Oct. 2, 2026, 7 to 9 p.m.
The Historic Broadway Theater
620 W. Main St. #100, Louisville, KY 40202
If you are interested in a challenging, yet rewarding career, where you can make a positive difference in the lives of pre-K through 12 students and teaching artists, we would love to review your application for the Arts Education Director position. Apply now!