Kentucky Arts Council

As a state agency in the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Arts Council is funded by state budget allocations, as determined by the General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Arts Council, in turn, provides arts-focused grants and programs or services to every county in Kentucky. Grants provide funding for organizational support, artist residencies in schools and communities, touring subsidies, professional development for artists, arts administrators and teachers, traditional arts apprenticeships, and projects that expand arts offerings and increase participation in the arts. Programs include the Craft Marketing Program that works to expand the state's craft industry, and the Folklife Program, an inter agency partnership with the Kentucky Historical Society that conserves and promotes the rich cultural traditions of Kentuckians. Training and technical assistance are achieved through professional program staff; two "Regional Outreach Directors," employed as regional representatives; and partnerships with other state-wide organizations and agencies.