2022 Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Annual Report

KENTUCKY 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

TOURISM, ARTS & HERITAGE CABINET

MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR

Dear Team Kentucky:

Kentucky tourism made a major comeback in 2022, attracting travelers from near and far. From bourbon enthusiasts traveling to our distilleries to families looking for summer fun on our lakes and outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure, tourists flocked to communities across our commonwealth. And Kentuckians have benefited from this success, with good-paying jobs and tax dollars supporting our local communities, and increased visibility for our state as a travel destination.

Out-of-state visitors are beginning to realize what Kentuckians have always known: we live in one of the most beautiful states in the country, with a diverse range of sites and activities, along with a rich cultural heritage. The close of 2022 confirmed the best two-year period in state history for economic growth, a time that also included triumphs such as $75 million in federal funding to support the tourism industry, and an additional $5.3 million in funding to further position the tourism industry as an economic driver for Kentucky. These investments were reflected in Kentucky’s overall economic impact, which was $9.3 billion, generating 14,500 jobs across the commonwealth.

Tourism is a critical source of economic development, and my administration is proud to support its continued expansion. We also value our arts community, which generated more than $5.6 billion and employed more than 96,000 Kentuckians. In efforts to preserve Kentucky’s history, we implemented the Kentucky Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program and Certified Local Government Grants. In addition to promoting the commonwealth as a travel destination and supporting the industry, the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet also provided emergency response efforts, aiding victims of tornados in Western Kentucky and flooding in Eastern Kentucky. Kentucky State Parks acted as a community resource, providing emergency shelter and food services for displaced families and first responders. Parks also worked with First Lady Britainy Beshear to ensure the children affected by these disasters had gifts at Christmas, collecting and distributing toys in what may have been the two most successful toy drives in history. These efforts show what make Kentucky and our hospitality industry so special – the people who make up Team Kentucky and their ability to lead with kindness.

I am grateful for everyone who contributed to this success and I look forward to another incredible year ahead.

Sincerely,

Governor Andy Beshear

MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY BERRY

Dear Legislators, Partners and Staff:

In 2022, the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet had an eventful year, with many challenges and accomplishments. We made vital investments in tourism and the arts that benefited the entire commonwealth, urban and rural areas alike.

A banner achievement of the year involved a historic investment of $75 million in federal funding, a result of bipartisan cooperation between the Governor, the Kentucky General Assembly and the federal government. The funding package ensures that our tourism partners have the resources to strengthen marketing campaigns that encourage travelers to visit the commonwealth. This will further showcase Kentucky as a culturally rich destination full of opportunities for adventure and the arts.

Kentucky welcomed five new tourism development projects in 2022, totaling over $164 million in project investments for our economy. These critical investments will highlight Kentucky’s signature hospitality to visitors. Expanding outreach to Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ travelers, as well as national and international travel markets, primes the tourism industry for future growth.

As we emerge from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our investments in the tourism and creative industries continue to bear fruit, helping to foster economic recovery and growth.

The tourism industry is positioned to thrive in the future. These efforts are all part of the Governor’s ongoing commitment to bolster Kentucky’s strengths and welcome everyone to the table.

In addition to economic progress, our agencies played a significant role in emergency response efforts. We supported Kentuckians impacted by natural disaster, sheltering those affected by the tornadoes in Western Kentucky and flooding in Eastern Kentucky at our State Parks. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officers and Kentucky State Park rangers helped with conducting rescues, clearing roadways, providing wellness checks, and delivering emergency supplies. The Kentucky Heritage Council’s staff conducted community meetings regarding preservation and rebuilding with local officials and citizens.

The new year brings an end to my tenure as Secretary of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet. It has been my pleasure and honor to serve within Gov. Beshear’s administration. I have every confidence that the cabinet will continue to make great strides in the future, generating an abundance of economic and cultural benefits for our commonwealth.

Sincerely,

Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary

KENTUCKY TOURISM, ARTS AND HERITAGE: AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH

The future of Kentucky’s tourism industry is bright. In 2021, the industry approached pre-pandemic numbers, exceeding expectations with total visitation recovering to approximately 96% of 2019 volumes. With travel confidence rebounding, the commonwealth welcomed 70.5 million visitor trips.

Tourism in Kentucky is an $11.2 billion industry, touching various industries, including arts and culture, agritourism, outdoor recreation and so much more. These industries support economic success and generate job growth, guaranteeing the commonwealth can compete nationally and internationally.

EQUINE INDUSTRY  $3.4 BILLION

ECONOMIC IMPACT

OUTDOOR RECREATION $5.9 BILLION

ECONOMIC IMPACT

TOURISM $11.2 BILLION

ECONOMIC IMPACT

CREATIVE INDUSTRY $5.6 BILLION

ECONOMIC IMPACT

INVESTING IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Our main streets serve as the heart of our Kentucky communities, highlighting small businesses that represent the culture and uniqueness of the commonwealth. Created in 1979 to reverse the economic decline in central business districts through historic preservation and redevelopment of commercial buildings, the Kentucky Main Street Program is vital to economic success in both rural and urban Kentucky.

Recent Kentucky Main Street reinvestment statistics show participating communities reported a $60.5 million cumulative investment in downtown commercial districts, as well as 201 historic building rehabilitation projects completed. Statewide, the program reported 130 new businesses, generating 548 new jobs. Since the program’s inception,  Kentucky Main Street has generated $4.7 billion of public-private investments throughout the commonwealth.

In 2022, Kentucky’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit program had a tremendous economic impact, reporting more than $79.5 million in qualified rehabilitation expenses approved for the tax credit. Tax credits have proven to be one of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective community revitalization tools - creating jobs, leveraging private investment, enhancing property values and returning underutilized properties to tax rolls. This widely recognized program has been instrumental in preserving the historic places that give Kentucky’s cities, towns and communities their special character. Nationally, Kentucky is ranked 11th in the use of the Federal Historic Rehabilitation tax credit.

201 HISTORIC BUILDING REHAB PROJECTS

130 NEW BUSINESSES

548 NEW JOBS

Shelbyville Main Street

Bardstown Main Street

Paducah Main Street

BUSINESS TRAVEL IS THRIVING IN A POST-PANDEMIC ECONOMY

Despite business and convention travel being greatly impacted by the pandemic, two stateowned venues, the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center, witnessed 100% event recovery in 2022. Crucial to Kentucky’s tourism economy, Kentucky Venues reported a total economic impact reaching $307 million. The Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center were able to generate $43.1 million in revenue through hosting events and saw attendance double from the previous year, welcoming over 2.5 million eventgoers. Industry-coveted shows including IAEE Expo! Expo!, ExhibitorLIVE, and USA Gymnastics Winter Cup have announced their commitment to host upcoming events at Kentucky Venues properties.

8.4 MILLION HOTEL ROOM NIGHTS SINCE 1995

288 EVENTS

2.5 MILLION ATTENDEES

$307 MILLION ESTIMATED ECONOMIC  IMPACT

Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, KY

Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY

INVESTING IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Team Kentucky’s continued investments in tourism and the arts did not waver in 2022. Utilizing federal funding has been critical in fostering economic recovery, and Kentucky witnessed historic investments over the past year.

In July, $75 million in funding from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), supported by the Governor and allocated by the General Assembly in the 2022 legislative session, was announced to help boost the state’s tourism industry and economy. Coupled with an earlier announcement of $5.3 million in recovery funding that went directly to 103 tourism destination marketing groups, the tourism industry can focus its marketing efforts on driving visitation by attracting new markets including international travel, motor coach groups, meetings, group and sporting events, and multi-cultural visitors.

In 2022, the Kentucky Arts Council awarded more than $1.2 million in operating support to 87 arts organizations in 28 counties across the commonwealth through its Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) program. The KAP program provides nonprofit arts organizations with unrestricted operating support to ensure that year-round participation in the arts is available to the people of Kentucky. Additionally, as part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) final distribution of ARPA funding, six Kentucky arts organizations were selected by the NEA to receive $500,000 to support jobs, stabilize operations, purchase health and safety supplies and expand marketing efforts.

$15 MILLION          STATEWIDE TOURISM MARKETING EFFORTS

$25

$25 MILLION

RECOVERY OF TOURISM COMMISSIONS AND DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS

$5.3 MILLION          RECOVERY OF DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS AND TOURISM REGIONS

GROWING KENTUCKY’S ECONOMY THROUGH TOURISM & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The tourism industry experienced positive economic momentum in 2022 as Kentucky welcomed five new tourism development projects. Through the Tourism Development Act, eligible Kentucky businesses can receive an annual reimbursement for taxes paid on qualifying economic development projects. Tourism development projects in 2022 totaled over $164 million in project investment and included new, expanded bourbon experiences, boutique lodging experiences and more. These projects will build on Kentucky’s bourbon and hospitality industries, investing in our local communities and positioning the tourism industry to be a national leader.

Administered by the Kentucky Heritage Council, the Kentucky Historic Preservation Tax Credit program was given a significant boost by the General Assembly. In April, when applications and new provisions opened for 2023, the annual program allocation was raised from $5 million to $100 million, increasing the commercial per-project cap from $400,000 to $10 million on qualified investments of $50 million or more. This change is expected to increase the number of federal tax credit applications, anticipating significant gains in economic development statewide.

Project Investments

$54.6 MILLION $22.7 MILLION $40.1 MILLION $13.6 MILLION $33.8 MILLION

THE APPALACHIAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION, INC

Miracle, KY

THE TRAIL HOTEL, LLC.

Bardstown, KY

AUGUSTA DISTILLERY, LLC. Augusta, KY

LOUISVILLE PICKLEBALL, LLC. Louisville, KY

SAV HOSPITALITY, LLC. Franklin, KY

ADVENTURE TOURISM CONTINUES TO SUCCEED

Kentucky has a diverse landscape, providing adventure tourism opportunities across the commonwealth. Adventure seekers can hike, bike and horseback ride on rocky Appalachian Mountain terrain or rolling meadows, spend the day rock climbing or underground kayaking deep in the forests of Red River Gorge, or spend a day boating or fishing on the sparkling waters of our many lakes and rivers.

Kentucky’s abundance of outdoor recreation continues to be a key economic driver of our tourism industry. In 2022, the Kentucky Trail Town Program welcomed the cities of Liberty, Hyden and Burkesville. The Kentucky Trail Town Program is a tourism and economic development program designed to provide a strategic plan for communities to capitalize on travel opportunities within a respective community. There are currently 28 recognized Kentucky Trail Towns across the commonwealth.

Demand for outdoor adventure has led to an increase in sales for hunting and fishing licenses, totaling nearly $36.3 million in revenue. Boating also engaged adventure seekers, bringing in 1.2 million participants and $5.9 million in boat registration revenue, with a total economic impact of $1.9 billion.

Campgrounds and golf rounds at Kentucky State Parks continue to thrive. As travel demands increased in 2022, golf rounds reached an all-time high of 156,598 rounds played, resulting in a $442,140 increase in golf revenue. Golf merchandise and food sales were also up $112,000. Continued traveler demand for camping and golf has resulted in record visitation at our state parks. Likewise, demand for camping resulted in 425,200 overnight guests.

425,200 CAMPGROUND GUESTS

168,937 CAMPGROUND ROOM NIGHTS

156,598 GOLF ROUNDS

$5.8 MILLION GOLF REVENUE

ACTIVITIES DURING TRIPS TO KENTUCKY

28% SPORTS ACTIVITIES

36% CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

51% OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

58% ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES

23% BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

Data sourced in combination from Longwoods International, STR, Arrivalist, Travel South.

DISCOVERING KENTUCKY THROUGH AGRITOURISM

Kentucky’s agritourism industry is important to the tour ism industry, providing financial, educational and recreational opportunities to tourists and local communities. Travelers can find agritourism experiences statewide that combine the commonwealth’s unique agricultural landscape with our signature tourism industry.

In 2022, the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet continued our partnership with WKDZ’s Travelin’ the Bluegrass: Agritourism Edition podcast. Season two listeners were taken on a journey across the commonwealth, highlighting agritourism operations like Black Soil in Lexington, Chaney’s Dairy Barn in Bowling Green and Equus Run Vineyards in Midway. The podcast also featured some of our cabinet’s agritourism travel experiences, including a trip to Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park in Western Kentucky to learn about their sustainability garden, a ride over to the Kentucky Horse Park to see exciting equine opportunities, and a visit to the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea to view art and handcrafted items

Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY

Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY

Equus Run Vineyards, Midway, KY

Kentucky Artisan Center, Berea, KY

Chaney’s Dairy Barn, Bowling Green, KY

Chaney’s Dairy Barn, Bowling Green, KY

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville, KY

Equus Run Vineyards, Midway, KY

Black Soil, Lexington, KY

DISCOVERING KENTUCKY THROUGH AGRITOURISM

The cabinet’s agritourism attraction, the Kentucky Horse Park, continued to see success. Home to over 70 horses, representing 30 breeds and one Kentucky Derby winner, the park offers travelers an array of equine experiences, from horse-drawn trolley rides to educational self-guided tours through their on-site museums.

The Kentucky State Fair serves as the commonwealth’s largest agritourism event, celebrating Kentucky’s agricultural roots and equine heritage. In 2022, the commonwealth hosted the 118th Kentucky State Fair with record-breaking attendance of approximately 525,000 fairgoers from 120 counties, a 20 percent increase from 2021. Held in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair, the 119th World’s Championship Horse Show, which defines and celebrates Kentucky’s only native horse, saw nearly 2,000 horses compete in more than 250 classes for Grand Champion titles.

Kentucky Venues also hosted an array of successful agritourism events, including the 49th North American International Livestock Exposition, the 56th National Farm Machinery Show, the 53rd Championship Tractor Pull and the North American Championship Rodeo, which experienced record-breaking attendance.

64.5% OF VISITORS WERE FIRST - TIME VISITORS SPECIAL EVENTS REVENUE INCREASED TO $3.2 MILLION

GIFT SHOP REVENUE INCREASED TO $1.2 MILLION

525,000 ATTENDEES

75+ UNIQUE DAILY ACTIVITIES

15,725 GENERAL ENTRIES

500 VENDORS

7,935 LIVESTOCK ENTRIES

SUPPORTING THE ARTS THROUGH INVESTMENTS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Arts and culture is a $5.6 billion industry, employing 96,000 people across the commonwealth. The creative industry plays a vital role in Kentucky’s education, economy and culture. Team Kentucky has been committed to supporting this important industry, making investments to help create opportunities that build and grow the arts.

A previous investment made in 2021 to the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) allowed the program to double in size in the summer of 2022. Thanks to American Recovery Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Summer Enrichment funds provided by the Kentucky Department of Education, GSA was able to host two summer sessions for the first time in program history, doubling the number of students served to over 500. This also allowed GSA to serve students from more communities throughout Kentucky, with 71 counties represented in the 2022 class. Both summer sessions took place on the campus of the University of Kentucky, and the ESSER funding will continue to support this expanded capacity through the summer of 2024.

Another first for Kentucky Performing Arts came in July as they hosted the premiere of the new touring production of Broadway’s Jagged Little Pill. History was made, as this was the first touring Broadway show to build and debut at The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. The two-night run of this remarkable show took guests on an impactful, emotional journey that saw standing ovations throughout the performances. In 2022, Kentucky Performing Arts welcomed 248,936 from all 50 states and three countries, generating over $25.2 million in revenue. The Kentucky Artisan Center, where travelers can shop for Kentucky crafts and fine art from over 800 Kentucky artists, welcomed over 250,000 visitors, including 200 motor coach groups, resulting in a $2.5 million economic impact. The center reinvested over $900,000 into Kentucky’s economy through direct purchases from artisan small businesses, collection of sales tax and restaurant tax.

Kentucky Humanities celebrated 50 years of Telling Kentucky’s Story in 2022. Founded in 1972, Kentucky Humanities supports the humanities in all 120 Kentucky

Governor’s School for the Arts

counties, delivering more than 15,000 programs and reaching more than five million people. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Kentucky Humanities held six events in communities across the commonwealth, released two special issues of Kentucky Humanities magazine, and premiered “50 Faces of Humanities” through social media, highlighting Kentucky citizens who support humanities in the commonwealth.

Kentucky Humanities also hosted the 42nd Kentucky Book Festival in October at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington. The 2022 event connected 130 authors, including three Pulitzer Prize winners, with thousands of Kentucky readers, and gave away 280 free books to children who attended the event.

The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage (KCAAH) featured a new visitor experience, “Songbird of the South: The Real Mary Ann Fisher Story,” which is the first in The Soul of Walnut Street Experience Series. This one-woman show is performed by Louisville’s Edu-tainer Marjorie Marshall, mentored by Mary Ann Fisher for 18 years until Fisher’s passing on March 12, 2004. KCAAH also launched the “Celebrating the Black Experience” and “Just Pushing Paint” art exhibits this year. KCAAH welcomed 11,000 visitors, hosted 40 events and generated $87,085 in economic impact.

Kentucky Artisan Center, Berea, KY

Songbird of the South, KCAAH, Louisville, KY

Kentucky Book Festival, Lexington, KY

MODERNIZATION OF KENTUCKY’S STATE-OWNED TOURISM ATTRACTIONS AND DESTINATIONS

Modernization of our state-owned attractions is vital for them to continue to be competitive in the tourism industry. Modernization helps increase income and jobs from tourist spending, preserves heritage and history, and attracts travelers, helping boost local economies. Many of our state agencies underwent facility renovations and improvements in 2022, including the Kentucky Horse Park and Kentucky Performing Arts.

Investing in infrastructure is key for ensuring that our state parks can continue to attract visitors to communities throughout Kentucky. As a direct result of the commonwealth’s bipartisan commitment to enhancing safety and improving the overall guest experience, Kentucky State Parks performed significant updates throughout the year.  The Kentucky State Parks Facility division invested $17 million and performed over 200 projects, ranging from roof replacements, wastewater and other utility system replacements to public safety upgrades, interior lodge room accommodation upgrades, Wi-Fi service upgrades, and various other mechanical maintenance and infrastructure repairs throughout the park system.

Kentucky State Parks also formed new partnerships that will help foster future modernization projects. A partnership with the Johnson County Fiscal Court secures $700,000 in improvements at Paintsville Lake State Park. The funding will be utilized for an ADA fishing ramp along the lakeside and a kayak/canoe launching ramp. Another

partnership with the Kentucky Department of Transportation will provide an extensive amount of work on the Dawkins Line Rail Trail, improving trail mobility for cyclists, hikers and horseback riders. The Dawkins Line Rail Trail is a former railway, constructed in the early 1900s to haul timber, then coal. Opened in 2013, it is the longest rail-trail in the state. The $4.1 million investment includes paving 24 miles of gravel trail from Johnson County to Magoffin County, paving the parking lot at the Jenny’s Creek and Jane Beshear trailheads and repairing drainage structures, signs and bollards.

The Department of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources completed several projects that will help attract more adventure travelers to Kentucky’s outdoor recreation attractions. In Bath County, the department replaced deteriorated water intake pipes and valves to help improve the Minor Clark Fish Hatchery. Additionally, a new boat ramp was constructed on the Pond River in Hopkins County, a courtesy dock was replaced at Barren River Lake State Resort Park, and a new ADA-accessible fishing pier was constructed on Green River Lake.

Kentucky Venues facilities are key components in corporate and public events in Kentucky, making modernization a top priority. In 2022, a $200 million investment was made by the Kentucky General Assembly to support the enhancements, renovation, expansion and development of the Kentucky Exposition Center.

OUR COMMITMENT TO HELPING KENTUCKIANS

The devastating tornados in Western Kentucky in December 2021 and the destructive July 2022 floods in Eastern Kentucky marked the most disaster-heavy years in the commonwealth’s history. Both events resulted in the Governor declaring a state of emergency. The emergency declarations ensured that federal funding was available to provide emergency resources and rebuild our Western and Eastern Kentucky communities. During both disasters, the Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officers and Kentucky State Parks rangers assisted in emergency response and recovery efforts.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officers and Kentucky State Park rangers helped with conducting rescues, clearing roadways, providing wellness checks, and delivering emergency supplies. In Eastern Kentucky, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources staff delivered nearly 33,000 hot meals to impacted families and completed 136 search-and-rescues.

As part of the state’s emergency response efforts, Governor Beshear mobilized 11 Kentucky State Parks to serve as a community resource, providing emergency shelter and food services for displaced families and first responders. In Western Kentucky, Kentucky State Parks provided temporary housing to more than 800 individuals and 250 first responders. Over 360 people affected by the flooding in Eastern Kentucky have also been temporarily housed at state parks.

The Kentucky Heritage Council, Kentucky Humanities, Kentucky Arts Council and Kentucky Performing Arts also stepped up during these trying times to extend their services. Kentucky Humanities teamed up with The National Endowment for the Humanities to work with five cultural organizations in Eastern Kentucky to aid with recovery efforts from the summer floods, providing each organization with a $20,000 grant. The Kentucky Heritage Council’s staff spent time in both Western and Eastern Kentucky where they conducted community meetings regarding preservation and rebuilding with local officials and citizens.

The Kentucky Arts Council waived the fee for the 2022 Kentucky Crafted Market and encouraged visitors to donate to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, raising over $19,000 for impacted families. The Kentucky Center held a flood relief concert to benefit Appalshop, a nonprofit multi-disciplinary arts and education center in the heart of Appalachia that was heavily affected by the floods, with 100% of the proceeds going toward Appalshop’s recovery efforts.

KENTUCKY: A DIVERSE, WELCOMING PLACE FOR EVERYONE

Through marketing, education and partnerships, we continue to promote diversity and inclusion and inspire visitors to discover the diversity and abundance of Kentucky’s heritage and culture. Diversity and inclusion are core values for Team Kentucky, and we want visitors to view Kentucky as a place that welcomes and celebrates people of all backgrounds. Besides investing in DEI learning and development trainings, the cabinet seeks to highlight and showcase diversity in all we do.

In 2022, the Kentucky Arts Council conducted a six-part monthly series called “Celebrating the Art & Culture of Kentucky: Some of the Bluegrass is Black.” The series featured artists including former Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker, artist and arts entrepreneurship trainer Mark Johnson, singer/songwriter and Harlan County native Martha Redbone, Louisville poet and activist Hannah Drake, the dynamic opera-performing duo Everett and Alicia McCorvey, and current Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson. These conversations have been led by poet-scholar Dr. Shauna Morgan, director of equity and inclusion initiatives in teaching, learning and academic innovation at the University of Kentucky’s Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching.

The arts council also hosted two exhibits that highlighted diversity in the arts. For more than a year, the Native Reflections exhibit, organized in cooperation with the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission and the Kentucky Heritage Council, has toured all regions of the commonwealth, showcasing amazing artwork by American Indians living in Kentucky. Another traveling exhibit, Our Kentucky Home, features artwork by Hispanic, Latinx, and Latin American artists.

The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage introduced a new episode for its podcast, “The Voice of the Griot.” The episode, “Traveling While Black: Louisville’s Struggle to Desegregate Public Transportation,” features the story of one community’s resistance to racist efforts to create a segregated society by depriving African Americans of equal access to public transportation in Louisville in the post-Civil War years.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources implemented a squirrel hunting campaign focused on providing recreational and wild-protein harvesting opportunities to minority markets. The department also provided a Spanish translation of the 2022 Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide to reach Kentucky’s Hispanic market.

The Kentucky Heritage Council secured $50,000, provided by the General Assembly, for the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission to promote its mission and provide grant funds to worthy projects with an African American connection. Priority was also given to Certified Local Government grant applicants who focused on under-represented communities. African American-focused projects included architectural and neighborhood surveys in Horse Cave, Louisville, Shelbyville, Paducah, and Frankfort.

In an effort to provide a comfortable museum experience for all visitors, the Kentucky Historical Society has deepened its commitment as an Autism Friendly Business by making small modifications and adjustments to its premises to improve access to those with autism. Additionally, the Kentucky Historical Society has also committed to prioritizing elevating marginalized history and addressing geographic distribution through its historic marker program.

Recognizing the importance and the need to connect new travelers to authentic and inspiring experiences, the commonwealth has made investments that allow the cabinet and our partners to expand marketing efforts to new demographic markets such as Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ travelers.

Three

, Sebastian Duverge

An

under the Shade, Alma Martinez Torres

A ied, Deyanira Esmeralda Martin

Mission

● SUPPORT THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF KENTUCKY TOURISM, ARTS AND HERITAGE AS A MECHANISM TO FOSTER ECONOMIC GROWTH, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT FOR COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH WHILE APPEALING AS A DESTINATION TO A DIVERSE AUDIENCE AT HOME, NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.

Vision

● TOURISM, THE ARTS AND KENTUCKY HERITAGE ARE THE FOCUS OF THE CABINET. THE CABINET FOSTERS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BY PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING NEW ATTRACTIONS, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPANDING EXISTING TOURISM VENUES, CONVENTION/CONFERENCE MARKETING, AND SPORTS VENUES.

25 Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet

Strategic Goals

● GROW KENTUCKY’S ECONOMY BY ENCOURAGING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES TO FOSTER ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TOURISM RECOVERY DURING AND FOLLOWING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

● PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS AT THE INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN ALL 120 KENTUCKY COUNTIES.

● INVEST IN EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BY EDUCATING KENTUCKIANS ABOUT KENTUCKY’S NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES TO SPARK CREATIVITY AND INTEREST IN PURSUING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TOURISM/HOSPITALITY SECTOR.

● RESPECT KENTUCKY’S HISTORY AND HERITAGE BY INVESTING IN AND PROMOTING THE RICH HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF KENTUCKY AND ENSURING OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES REPRESENT DIVERSITY AND CULTURE.

LEADERSHIP DIRECTORY TOURISM, ARTS AND HERITAGE SENIOR STAFF

Secretary MIKE BERRY 2019 - 2023

Secretary LINDY CASEBIER

Chief of Staff YVONNE BOARD 2020-2022

Chief of Staff MONA LEWIS JUETT

Executive Director, Human Resources

CANNON ARMSTRONG

Executive Director, Finance MELISSA BREWER

General Counsel SARAH GRIDER CRONAN

Executive Director, Public Affairs ANITA HATCHETT

Legislative Affairs BR MASTERS

AGENCY LEADERSHIP

Department of Parks Commissioner RUSS MEYER

Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources Commissioner RICH STORM

Department of Tourism Commissioner MIKE MANGEOT

Governor’s School for the Arts Director NICK COVAULT

Kentucky Arts Council Executive Director CHRIS CATHERS

Kentucky Center for African American Heritage Executive Director AUKRAM BURTON

Kentucky Center for the Arts President KIM BAKER

Kentucky Artisan Center Executive Director TODD FINLEY

Kentucky Heritage Council Executive Director CRAIG A. POTTS

Kentucky Historical Society Executive Director SCOTT ALVEY

Kentucky Humanities Council Executive Director BILL GOODMAN

Kentucky Venues President & CEO DAVID BECK

Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director LEE CARTER

JOIN OUR TEAM!

⊲ Kentucky provides one of the most competitive benefits packages available today, with insurance, retirement and leave options to meet your immediate and long-term goals.

⊲ Competitive rates and numerous options for health and life insurance, with payroll deduction options for dental, vision and other insurance.

⊲ One of the best retirement packages available in the state!

⊲ Paid vacation and sick leave.

LEARN MORE & APPLY AT TAH.KY.GOV

ShopTEAM MERCH KENTUCKY