National Endowment for the Arts Funding Impact - Information and Resources
The FY26 federal budget request released on May 2 called for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) along with other cultural agencies. In addition, the NEA notified certain awardees that grants were being terminated and/or withdrawn. Kentuckians for the Arts and Americans for the Arts are working to track the breadth of this impact and have compiled resources linked below.
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Appeal Submissions: If your organization has been affected by the recent NEA grant cancellations, the NEA encourages you submit an appeal. Appeal deadlines will vary by grant category.
- National Pulse Survey
 This Visual Artist Brings Black Excellence To The Kentucky Center (LEO)
Speed Art Museum Welcomes Diallo Simon-Ponte as Assistant Curator of Artist Programs (LEO)
Meet the Artist Behind Louisville’s Most Mind-Blowing Projection Art (LEO)
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
About AAPI Month
View exhibits and collections highlighted by asianpacificheritage.gov
Check our events section for upcoming programs that feature AAPI creatives.
Floodwall Mural Pilot Project
 The Louisville Commission on Public Art, in partnership with MSD and Waterfront Park, has selected artist Laurie Blayney for a large-scale floodwall mural installation located at 10th and Rowan Street. The mural will celebrate and enhance the unique characteristics of the project site and invite a variety of different audiences to visit a newly reimagined section of riverfront.
Read More and Participate in the Community Feedback Survey
Cultural Pass Kick Off Celebration
May 31, 10:00am - 1:00 pm
Louisville Free Public Library - Main Branch
301 York St, Louisville, KY 40203
Cultural Pass will celebrate the start of the summer alongside Louisville Free Public Library’s Summer Reading Kick-Off at the Main Branch. Several 2025 Cultural Pass partners will lead activities throughout the day. Families with children ages 0-21 are invited to download and explore the new Cultural Pass app, sign up for Summer Reading, and enjoy performances and arts and culture vendors!
Scheduled Budget Hearings
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May 14, 4:00-5:00pm: Economic Development/Arts + Creative Industries Budget Hearing
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May 20, 4:30-5:30pm: External Agency Fund Budget Hearing
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May 22, 6:00pm: Community Budget Hearing
All hearings will be held in the Metro Council Chamber on the 3rd floor of Historic City Hall, located at 601 West Jefferson St. You can enter the building at the 6th Street entrance or the Congress Alley entrance which is ADA accessible. The hearings are also available for streaming on Metro TV.
Save the Date - Framework Review
We will be hosting a series of public meetings to share the initial findings of the Comprehensive Cultural Plan.
May 15, 4:00-7:00pm, Fairdale Playtorium, 10616 W Manslick Rd, Fairdale, KY, 40118
Let us know you'll be joining.
May 30, 4:00-7:00pm, Middletown Historic Museum / Visual Arts Academy and Studio, 11700 Main St, Middletown, KY, 40243
Let us know you'll be joining.
May 31, 10:00am-1:00pm, Louisville Free Public Library Main Branch (During Cultural Pass Kick Off, no RSVP needed)
The next phases of the plan will be draft recommendations and presentation of the final plan.
The process of developing our Comprehensive Cultural Plan is underway. This is the opportunity to shape the future of the city’s arts and culture scene.
Share your thoughts and ideas on feedback generated through focus groups. We also encourage residents to add to the Cultural Asset Map.
The Arts and Culture Plan will serve as a roadmap for the city's arts and culture initiatives, guiding investments, partnerships, and programming. It will address key areas such as:
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Accessibility: Ensuring that arts and cultural experiences are accessible to all residents, regardless of their socioeconomic status or physical abilities.
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Equity: Promoting diversity and inclusion in the arts and culture sector, ensuring that all voices are represented.
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Economic Impact: Supporting the growth of the local arts economy and its contribution to the city's overall prosperity.
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Public Engagement: Fostering opportunities for public participation in arts and cultural activities.
Read more at Louisvillecreatesplan.com
 Louisville Orchestra Creators Fest:
May 9, 11:00am (Tickets)
May 10, 7:00pm (Tickets)
Experience compositions by Baldwin Giang, Brittany Green, and Oswald Huỳnh, as they unveil unique compositions that reflect their diverse perspectives stories, and inspirations.
Learn More
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Noche Michtucky: Michoacán meets Kentucky
When: May 9, 2025, 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Where: Epiphany, 1525 Highland Avenue
Learn More
(Free Admission) |
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Forest Fest
When: May 17, 2025, 12:00pm - 7:00pm
Where: Horine Conference Center
Learn More
(Free Admission + Priced Parking)
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Aloha Lou! Louisville's First Polynesian Cultural Festival by Hui Kaululehua
When: May 31, 2025, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: Central Park
Learn More
(Free Admission) |
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Kentucky Shakespeare in The Parks Tour
When: Ongoing April through May
Where: Various Park Locations
Performance Schedule
(Free Admission)
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Louisville Downtown Partnership: Downtown Drive-In
When: Ongoing through October, 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Where: Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Road
Schedule and More Information
(Free Admission) |
Community Center Art Classes
When: Ongoing through May
Where: Various Louisville Metro Community Centers
Registration
(Admission varies by class type)
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Sparking Change Mini Grant
Community Foundation of Louisville
Deadline - Rolling
Apply
JSP Artist Residency
Josephine Sculpture Park
Deadline - May 31, 2025
Apply
See more opportunities on the Arts + Creative Industries website! This includes current grants, artist residencies, awards, exhibition opportunities, and more.
Have an opportunity to share? Submit it here!
Kentucky Performing Arts - Multiple Openings
More Information
Louisville Ballet - Artistic Director
More information
Kentucky College of Art + Design - Director of Financial Aid
More information
Louisville Visual Art - Teaching Artist
More information
Louisville Public Media - Business Manager
More information
Louisville Opera - Multiple Openings
More information
Louisville Academy of Music - Program Director
More information
Image Credits
Sidebar Icon: Charlotte Price, Pan
Top Page Banner: Marvin Finn, Flock of Finns
Middle Page Banner: Raymond Graf, Pee Wee Reese
Bottom Page Banner: Ed Hamilton, York
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