The Kentucky Arts Council will host a free webinar with Dr. Rachel Shane on May 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern, focusing on marketing essentials for artists who want to sell their work, build their reputation, and connect with the right audience. This workshop offers a step-by-step framework for creating a personalized marketing plan tailored to various arts businesses, including visual and craft arts, performance, literary, and more. Participants will learn how to define their target market, choose effective promotional strategies, and develop a structured plan to grow their audience and sales. Register now! 

One of last year’s exhibitors, Humberto Lahera González, continues to make waves. His piece “Carrera Solitaria” was featured in the 2023 exhibit, and this year his talent has earned national attention—his work was selected for the Governor’s Derby Celebration poster, the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 151 Edition bottle, and featured in Forbes Magazine. 

We are also looking forward to announcing the America250KY Grant recipients. After reviewing 39 submissions, 10 artists and 17 arts and cultural organizations have been approved for funding. These grants will support public art, new works, community events, and other meaningful projects that contribute to the America250 celebration's lasting legacy. We anticipate opening another round of funding very soon. 

We’re honored to begin working with Kentucky’s newly appointed Poet Laureate, Kathleen Driskell, who will serve through 2026. She has published six poetry collections and is a professor of creative writing and chair of the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing at Spalding University in Louisville. 

During the Writers’ Day Event at the Capitol, Governor Andy Beshear said while tourism in the commonwealth is a $13.8 billion industry, $6.9 billion can be attributed to the arts. It is our great privilege to work with artists and organizations that contribute incredible talent to those figures. 

A video of the induction ceremony and Writers’ Day celebration is now available on the Arts Council’s YouTube page. We are also proud to celebrate the incredible work of Silas House, who served as the 2023–24 poet laureate. His legacy page is available for those who wish to reflect on his contributions. 

We also attended the Paul Sawyier Public Library Kentucky Poets’ Laureate Reading, organized by Adult Services Manager Diane Dehoney. Special thanks go to the Kentucky Historical Society Executive Director Scott Alvey for providing space while the library continues cleanup efforts following the recent flooding in Frankfort. Thankfully, the main collection was unharmed, and the library is offering curbside pickup during the ongoing cleanup.   

Please join us in wishing Javontae Cranmo, our Poetry Out Loud state champion from Beechwood High School, the best of luck as he heads to the National Finals in Washington, D.C. next week! We encourage you to watch the livestream of the event on the National Endowment for the Arts website. 

Thank you for your continued support of the arts in Kentucky. We hope you’ll take some time this month to attend an event, visit an exhibit, or celebrate the incredible talent we have right here at home.