September ARTS E-NEWS

Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage sent this bulletin at 09/02/2025 04:21 PM EDT
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September Events

KYARTSCAST

Episode 57: Music, Murals and Photography

Celebrating the Black Experience Touring Exhibit

The Celebrating the Black Experience Exhibit exhibit will open at the Stephens Library at Hazard Community and Technical College in Hazard, Ky.Y, on September 2.  There will be an artist reception and narrative stage interview in Hazard on Thursday, Sept. 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m.  Louisville artists Nzingha Beverley Sweeney-Sheppard and Ed White will be present to share their artistic process, their communities, and what inspires their work. The interview will be facilitated by Emily Hudson, Community Scholar and director of the Southeast Kentucky African-American Museum and Cultural Center.  

The following week, the exhibit will move to the Berea Arts Council, and on Fri., Sept. 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m., there will be a reception and narrative stage featuring artists Donyalle Jackson (Louisville) and Bradley Gilmore (Somerset). They will be interviewed by Community Scholar and founder of Our Land of Promise, Aaron Banther. 

Apply Now!

TAT

Applications are currently open for the Teaching Art Together Grant. The grant enables teachers to implement artist residencies in their classrooms. Teachers and artists collaborate to design and implement the residencies and provide tools that help educators incorporate the arts into their classrooms after the residency is completed. The deadline to apply is September 15.  
Chris Cathers

Sept. 2, 2025

Dear Friends of the Arts, 

The Kentucky Arts Council is proud to share some exciting updates from across the commonwealth. Our education director, Cynthia Warner, was recently published in Kentucky Teacher, a publication of the Kentucky Department of Education. Her article highlights research showing that integrating arts-based programs into school curricula can play a vital role in keeping students engaged and improving attendance. In short: arts education is more than enrichment. It is a proven pathway to academic success, improved attendance, and stronger, healthier school communities across Kentucky. 

The Kentucky State Fair is a shining example of the talent and traditions that make our commonwealth unique. Over 11 days, families experience the best of Kentucky, from agriculture and livestock to art, education, and public service. It’s a chance to see animals important to our farms, learn about life-saving programs from first responders, explore cutting-edge technology at our public colleges and universities, and discover outdoor adventures across the state. 

I had the joy of attending with my eight-year-old son, who spent the day exploring games and activities, learning about farms, and climbing into the vehicles that keep our communities safe. It was a reminder of how much there is to celebrate and learn at the fair. 

For the Kentucky Arts Council, the fair is also an opportunity to meet people from all 120 counties and beyond, connecting our services and programs with Kentuckians of all ages. We were proud to share the many grants, opportunities, and resources available to artists, educators, and communities, while also hearing stories that inspire the work we do. 
Cynthia

Kentucky Arts Council Education director, Cynthia Warner at the Kentucky State Fair.

Two major application windows have recently closed, America250KY and Kentucky Crafted. Each program follows a unique process: America250KY grant applications will move quickly to adjudication, while Kentucky Crafted requires more time to prepare for in-person jury sessions. We look forward to reaching out soon to applicants in both programs as the next steps unfold. 

KClogo

We also invite you to explore our new online Events Calendar, now live on our website. This tool allows artists and arts partners to post upcoming events across the state, making it easier for you to plan your cultural experiences. In the next few days, you can see several of our Kentucky Crafted artists at the Waveland Art Fair, participate in workshops for ceramics, printmaking and pumpkins, or exhibits with Poetry Connected, fiber arts and Patricia Ritter. We encourage you not only to use the calendar to plan your arts outings, but also to submit your own events and help us spread the word.  

We hope to see you at an arts event soon, celebrating the creativity and culture that make Kentucky such a vibrant place to live. Thank you for your continued support of the arts and of the Kentucky Arts Council. 

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Chris Cathers
Executive Director
Kentucky Arts Council

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Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. Participating students must be in grades 9 through 12, and any representative of a Kentucky public or private high school may apply. Each participating school receives an artist residency, hosts their own school championship, and has the opportunity for the school champion to attend the state competition. Registration is accepted until Oct. 3, 2025. The guidelines and registration form can be found here.