July 6, 2026
Dear friends of the arts,
The Kentucky Arts Council is looking ahead to an exciting season of programs while celebrating important milestones that connect Kentucky's past, present, and future.
In June, the Kentucky Arts Council Board of Directors met to approve recommendations for several grant programs. We appreciate the thoughtful work of our panelists and board members throughout this process. Thank you to everyone who applied and for the incredible work you do to strengthen Kentucky's creative communities.
This year also marks the beginning of the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Through the commonwealth's America250KY initiative, Kentucky communities are exploring our shared history while highlighting the people, places, arts, and traditions that continue to shape our future. We look forward to sharing stories and opportunities to participate as this historic commemoration continues.
We're also pleased to share that the fifth annual Celebrating the Black Experience touring art exhibit opened July 1 at the Kentucky Museum at Western Kentucky University, where it will remain on display through Aug. 1 before continuing its statewide tour through January. Check out the full schedule in the left column.
Presented by the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage in partnership with the Kentucky Arts Council, the exhibition features acrylic and oil paintings, fiber art, textiles, drawings, and mixed media works by artists whose creative practices explore identity, memory, spirituality, resilience, and cultural continuity across the African Diaspora. We encourage you to visit if you're in the area and to watch for the exhibition as it travels across the commonwealth.
Finally, our thoughts are with the Kentucky communities impacted by recent flooding and extreme summer weather. Artists and arts organizations are not immune to natural disasters, and we encourage anyone who has experienced damage to explore available recovery resources. The Kentucky Arts Council maintains a disaster resource page with links to assistance for artists and organizations, including information from the Kentucky Heritage Emergency Response Network (KHERN) and CERF+. We also encourage you to follow our social media channels, where we'll continue sharing resources and updates throughout the summer.
As always, thank you for supporting the arts in Kentucky. Whether you're attending an exhibition, participating in a local festival, or simply encouraging creativity in your own community, your support helps ensure the arts continue to thrive across the commonwealth.
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 Chris Cathers
Executive Director
Kentucky Arts Council
Kentucky Poet Laureate 2027-2028 Nomination
The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2027-2028 Kentucky Poet Laureate. Nominees must be published literary writers with a significant connection to Kentucky. Nominations may be made by individuals or organizations within or outside of Kentucky. The next Kentucky Poet Laureate will be selected by the governor to serve a two-year term. Duties include making a presentation at the Kentucky Arts Council’s annual Kentucky Writers’ Day and promoting the literary arts through readings, workshops, and presentations at meetings, seminars, conferences, schools, and libraries across the commonwealth.
Nomination Deadline: Aug. 3
Southern Artist Spotlight Grants
Southern Artist Spotlight Grants provide funding for arts and community organizations to present Southern artists from the South Arts roster through public performances, screenings, exhibitions, and community engagement activities. Open to tax-exempt nonprofits and official units of local, county, and state government, funding may be used to engage an artist, company, or ensemble from South Arts' roster. Dollar-for-dollar cash match grants are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the project start date.
Deadline: Rolling through April 2027
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