Supporting Arts in Kentucky

The arts play an integral role in our culture, education, and economy. Arts and culture is a $2.3 billion industry in the commonwealth and an important part of our tourism industry. To support the economic recovery of the arts, the commonwealth invested $1.7 million in federal funding into the arts, which directly impacted 120 art organizations and 21 Kentucky artists. In 2021, Gov. Beshear and the First Lady invited Kentuckians to lend their artistic talents to the new Team Kentucky Gallery. The Capitol is the peoples’ house and there is no better place to highlight the voices of Kentuckians as represented through the arts. To commemorate the 147th Kentucky Derby, Lexington artist Lennon Michalaski designed the 2021 Governor’s Derby Celebration Poster to portray the commonwealth’s long-standing history of horse racing. Michalaski’s inspiration came from a time when he once attended the races with his young son, and showcases the excitement of watching from the rail and holding a winning ticket. The Kentucky Artisan Center hosted the sixth Reveal exhibit, showcasing large format two dimensional works by eleven Kentucky artists. Reveal is an annual competitive exhibit that introduced five new artists to the Center in 2021. Kentucky artist and CEO of Prometheus Foundry, LLC, Amanda Matthews was commissioned for the construction of the Team Kentucky COVID-19 Memorial. Titled “United We Stand. Divided We Fall”, the memorial will illustrate Kentuckians’ willingness to come together for the betterment of the commonwealth to protect our fellow Kentuckians throughout this pandemic. Kentucky Humanities hosted the 41st Kentucky Book Festival in Lexington. The Kentucky Book Festival is a celebration of reading, writing, and publishing which takes place each fall. The festival connects book-lovers and authors, sparks engaging conversations, and empowers readers by providing access to new books and educational opportunities.

Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, Berea, KY

Governor’s Kentucky Derby Poster 2021 Kentucky Book Festival, Joseph-Beth Bookstore, Lexington, KY