MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR BESHEAR
Dear Team Kentucky:
Together, we’re celebrating another historic year for Kentucky with enormous achievements for tourism, arts and heritage.
In May, I was proud to announce 2023 marked a new record year for Kentucky tourism, with $13.8 billion generated in economic impact and 95,222 jobs created. This was the second straight record-breaking year for tourism, proving this industry plays an essential role in driving our economy and showcasing Kentucky to the world. Over 79 million travelers visited our home last year, spending more than $9.7 billion in local communities across our commonwealth. Nine new tourism development projects also received approval in 2023 – the most in a single year since the incentive was created – projected to create 550 new jobs and an estimated $292.1 million in economic investment.
These numbers show we aren’t looking at the same Kentucky anymore. Now, we’re inviting folks to our new Kentucky Home – a world-class destination, full of opportunity and prosperity at every turn.
And as our economy continues to thrive, we’re seeing the positive benefits firsthand across every industry and every community. For example, the Kentucky Main Street program saw over $61.4 million in reported investment for downtown commercial districts and 223 completed historic building rehabilitation projects in participating communities. This is a major achievement as our Main Streets revitalize downtowns, create good jobs, boost local tourism and support small businesses.
The intertwining of economic and cultural impacts is also reflected in agencies such as the Kentucky Arts Council, Kentucky Artisan Center, Kentucky Humanities and Kentucky Performing Arts, with the Kentucky Center for African-American Heritage, Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky State Parks, Kentucky Venues and Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife also playing critical roles. We are also working to ensure this success continues for your kids and mine by investing in our future leaders through the Governor’s School for the Arts, which saw the most applications ever last year!
We all worked together to achieve these milestones that continue to help us build a better future for everyone. I look forward to celebrating a record 2024 with you as we continue to invite folks from across the world to come and experience our new Kentucky home.
Sincerely,
Governor Andy Beshear
MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY CASEBIER
Dear Legislators, Partners and Staff:
2023 was a banner year for the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, with record-breaking accomplishments.
As one of the most significant drivers of economic growth in the state, Kentucky’s tourism industry has a far-reaching impact, bolstering development and prosperity in all 120 counties across the commonwealth. Last year, Kentucky experienced a remarkable surge in tourism, with an impressive 79.3 million visitors flocking to our state. This influx of visitors not only brings in revenue but also helps to create jobs, support local businesses, and showcase the rich cultural and natural heritage that Kentucky has to offer.
Arts and culture had a significant impact as well. A couple of highlights: through the Kentucky Arts Partnership program, the Arts Council granted over $1.2 million in operating support to 107 arts organizations throughout the commonwealth.
Visitors from all over the world have been drawn to Kentucky’s natural beauty, unique culture, and rich history, and we are proud to have welcomed them with open arms. We want visitors to view Kentucky as a place that welcomes and celebrates people of all backgrounds and become a part of a bigger and more enduring story when they visit.
We are seeing the results of our ongoing efforts in marketing Kentucky as a welcoming destination full of adventure.
We are grateful for Governor Beshear’s leadership and look forward to continuing to work together to build on this success and ensure that Kentucky remains a top destination for years to come.
Sincerely,
Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet
Secretary Lindy Casebier
KENTUCKY TOURISM, ARTS
AND HERITAGE: AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THE COMMONWEALTH
In 2023, Kentucky’s tourism industry witnessed unprecedented growth. Governor Beshear announced that 2023 was the best year on record for Kentucky tourism, generating $13.8 billion in economic impact and creating 95,222 jobs.
According to Tourism Economics, 79.3 million travelers visited Kentucky in 2023, spending a total of $9.7 billion across the state.
Additionally, total visitation increased 4.5% from 2022 volumes. The 2023 figures surpassed the previous highest record of $12.9 billion in economic impact in 2022.
Kentucky’s $13.8 billion tourism industry touches various industries, including arts and culture, agritourism, outdoor recreation and so much more. These industries contribute to Kentucky’s economic success and job growth, ensuring the commonwealth can compete nationally and internationally.
EQUINE INDUSTRY
$6.5 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT
OUTDOOR RECREATION
$5.9 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT
TOURISM
$13.8 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT
CREATIVE INDUSTRY
$6.1 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT
GROWING KENTUCKY’S
ECONOMY THROUGH TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Following a banner year for Kentucky tourism, Governor Beshear announced that the state broke an all-time record in 2023 with nine new tourism development projects that are set to generate an estimated $292.1 million in economic investment. These projects are also expected to create 550 jobs once operational.
Under the Tourism Development Act, eligible projects can recover up to 25% of their development costs over a 10-year period through sales tax generated on site. The 2023 tourism development projects included new, expanded bourbon experiences, resort and boutique
lodging experiences, sporting facilities and more. These projects will build on Kentucky’s bourbon and hospitality industries, investing in local communities and positioning the tourism industry as a national leader.
The state also preliminarily approved seven tourism development projects in 2023, including a proposed $133.6 million Margaritaville hotel coming to Newport on the Levee. The property is expected to generate 282 new jobs, 187 full-time jobs and 95 part-time jobs for Campbell County.
Tourism Project Investments
$60.5 MILLION 110 JOBS
THE APPALACHIAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION’S BOONE RIDGE
Bell County
$36.5 MILLION 14 JOBS
AUGUSTA DISTILLERY
Bracken County
$8.2 MILLION 18 JOBS
ELIZABETHTOWN COURTHOUSE HOTEL
Hardin County
$33.8 MILLION 163 JOBS
THE DINE AND PLAY SOCIAL HOUSE
Simpson County
$25.4 MILLION 7 JOBS
LEXINGTON SPORTING CLUB
Fayette County
$25 MILLION 70 JOBS
SCHNEIDER FAIRGROUNDS’ CROWNE PLAZA
LOUISVILLE AIRPORT
Jefferson County
$82.3 MILLION 149 JOBS
SANDY’S RACING AND GAMING
Boyd County
$15.6 MILLION 8 JOBS
THE GARDEN OUTDOOR RESORT
Grant County
$4.8 MILLION 11 JOBS
RD1 SPIRITS
Fayette County
REVITALIZING THE COMMONWEALTH’S DOWNTOWNS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Kentucky’s small towns and cities are often defined by their main streets, which showcase the unique character and culture of the commonwealth through locally owned businesses. In 1979, the Kentucky Main Street Program was established through the Kentucky Heritage Council to revitalize after the economic decline of central business districts by preserving historic buildings and redeveloping commercial areas. Today, this program plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth in both urban and rural areas of Kentucky.
the commonwealth. The program has generated more than $4.7 billion in investments throughout the commonwealth since its inception.
In 2023, participating communities reported over $61.4 million in investment in downtown commercial districts, as well as 223 completed historic building rehabilitation projects. The investment includes $5.6 million in budget and grant contributions from counties and cities and $23.1 million in private investments, matched by $32.7 million in public improvements. Public improvements encompass building rehabilitation and renovations, new construction, and other enhancement projects. The Kentucky Main Street program communities also reported a net gain of 649 new jobs and 126 new businesses across
Kentucky’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit program had a significant impact on the state’s economy in 2023, with 198 approved projects and $600.7 million in qualified rehabilitation expenses being approved for the tax credit. This program has proven to be one of the most successful and cost-effective tools for community revitalization, creating job opportunities, attracting private investment, and increasing property values. It has also helped bring underutilized properties back to the tax rolls and played a crucial role in preserving the unique historic places of Kentucky’s cities, towns, and communities. Regarding utilizing the Federal Historic Rehabilitation tax credit, Kentucky stood 10th nationally in 2023 and generated $79.6 million of private investment.
Since its implementation in 2005, the state tax credit has resulted in the rehabilitation of 1,258 properties across Kentucky. It has also leveraged $782.8 million of private funds invested in historic buildings, with $57.5 million in credits.
ATTRACTING TOURISTS THROUGH MEETING AND
KCONVENTION CENTERS
entucky Venues owns and operates two state-owned venues, the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center. With over 300 events every year, the facilities welcome millions of visitors annually.
In 2022, both venues witnessed 100% event recovery, which was crucial to Kentucky’s tourism economy. Kentucky Venues reported an estimated economic impact reaching $365 million in 2023. By hosting events and welcoming over 7.5 million event-goers, the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center generated more than $57 million in revenue.
During Fiscal Year 2022-2023, the Kentucky Exposition Center was the state’s most visited stadium or event hall and ranked 12th in the country in terms of visitor traffic.
370 EVENTS
363 DAYS OF ACTIVITIES
7.5 MILLION VISITORS $365 MILLION
ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT
INVESTING IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Team Kentucky’s commitment to investing in tourism, arts, and heritage remained unwavering in 2023, with a major focus on utilizing state and federal funding to support economic recovery.
In 2022, $75 million in funding from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was announced to help boost the state’s tourism industry and economy. In 2023, the commonwealth witnessed many of the funded marketing campaigns and projects coming to fruition, with the Department of Tourism having distributed $60 million to date.
The Kentucky Arts Council awarded over $1.2 million in operating support to 107 arts organizations 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.
In fiscal year 2023, the Kentucky Arts Council awarded over $1.1 million to 100 nonprofit arts organizations. In turn, those organizations provided approximately 3.7 million unique arts experiences and leveraged more than $81 million in additional funding collectively. Funding for Kentucky Arts Partnership grants comes from the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Additionally, the Kentucky Arts Council has awarded more than $170,000 to several schools, arts organizations and individual artists as part of an effort to help in the recovery after December 2021 tornadoes in western
Kentucky and the July 2022 floods in eastern Kentucky. The arts council received $115,000 in funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and $26,000 from regional partner South Arts. The council allocated $35,000 from its own budget to fund 50 grants.
Since its creation in 1972, Kentucky Humanities, with the assistance of the National Endowment for the Humanities and private contributions, has supported public programs in the humanities throughout the commonwealth. In 2023, 13 entities showcasing humanities programming were awarded over $19,000 by Kentucky Humanities.
In 2023, the Kentucky Historical Society lent its support to various historical programs and organizations across the state. The Kentucky Oral History Commission, which is administered by the society, awarded $30,000 in grants for oral history projects. Additionally, the society granted $44,444 from the 2022 Kentucky Local History Trust Fund to organizations in 15 Kentucky counties. The amounts varied from $1,790 to $2,500, and the funds were allocated for research, exhibition expansion, technology upgrades, and programming. The Kentucky Local History Trust Fund is an option in which Kentuckians can donate a portion of their state income tax refund through Line 38f. The Historical Society is the fund administrator and has, thus far, distributed over $141,000 to 63 local history organizations across the commonwealth.
$44,444 KENTUCKY LOCAL HISTORY FUND GRANTS
$170,000 ART RECOVERY EFFORTS FOR TORNADO AND FLOOD SURVIVORS
$1.2 MILLION
RECOVERY OF NON-PROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
$30,000 ORAL HISTORY GRANTS
KENTUCKY: A HOTSPOT FOR ADVENTURE TOURISM
Kentucky offers a wide range of adventure tourism opportunities throughout its diverse landscape. Visitors can go hiking, biking, fishing, rock climbing and kayaking, along with many other exciting activities. The abundance of outdoor opportunities continues to attract tourists to Kentucky, which, in turn, has a positive impact on local businesses and economies.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ conservation and recreation programs help generate tremendous economic benefits to the commonwealth from hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-related recreation, producing $5.9 billion in total economic impact and supporting about 70,000 jobs. Demand for adventure tourism has led to an increase in sales for hunting and fishing licenses, totaling $43.1 million in revenue.
Campgrounds and golf rounds at Kentucky State Parks continued to flourish in 2023. As travel demands increased, parks saw an all-time record high of 176,128 paid rounds played at park golf courses, resulting in a $918,576 increase in overall golf revenue. Moreover, parks observed a significant rise of $262,001 in golf merchandise and food sales compared to the previous year. The continued demand for camping and golf has led to a record number of visitors to state parks. Notably, there was a 12.19% increase in golf rounds, while camping demand has risen by 5.3%, resulting in a total of 219,771 camping nights.
219,771 CAMPGROUND ROOM NIGHTS $262,001 INCREASE IN GOLF AND FOOD SALES
176,128 GOLF ROUNDS
TC Highlands, Pleasureville
Grow Appalachia, Berea
Murray Main Street Farmers Market, Murray
River Hill Ranch, Richmond
KentuckyStateFair,Louisville
DISCOVERING KENTUCKY THROUGH AGRITOURISM
Kentucky’s tourism industry greatly benefits from the state’s agritourism sector. Agritourism offers recreational opportunities and financial and educational benefits to both tourists and local communities. Across the commonwealth, visitors can enjoy a range of agritourism experiences that seamlessly blend Kentucky’s distinctive agricultural landscape with its renowned tourism industry.
In 2023, the partnership between the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet and WKDZ’s Travelin’ the Bluegrass podcast continued for a third season. The latest season took listeners on a wonderful expedition across Kentucky, showcasing some of the state’s most exciting agritourism operations. Some of the highlighted destinations included the River Hill Ranch Alpaca Farm in Richmond, Denali Stud Farm in Paris, Grow Appalachia in Berea, and Murray Main Street’s Farmer’s Market.
Denali Stud Farm, Georgetown
Little Mount Lavender, Shelbyville
DISCOVERING KENTUCKY THROUGH AGRITOURISM
The Kentucky Horse Park, which is the cabinet’s agritourism attraction, had another successful year in 2023. Home to 100 horses representing more than 25 breeds and seven retired racing legends, the park offers visitors an array of equine experiences. These include educational self-guided tours through their on-site museums, horse-drawn trolley rides, and much more, providing travelers with diverse opportunities to engage with, learn about, and be enchanted by the beauty, strength, and spirit of the horse.
The Kentucky State Fair serves as the commonwealth’s largest agritourism event, showcasing Kentucky’s rich agricultural traditions and equine heritage. Every August, visitors get to enjoy 11 days of agriculture competitions, live music, engaging exhibits, and family-friendly shows. In 2023, the commonwealth hosted the 119th Kentucky
68% OF VISITORS WERE FIRST - TIME VISITORS $6.2 MILLION TOTAL REVENUE GENERATED (JAN - OCT 2023)
State Fair with a record-breaking attendance of approximately 599,000 fairgoers, generating an estimated economic impact of $13.6 million and providing an economic boost to the region.
The 120th World’s Championship Horse Show, which coincides with the Kentucky State Fair, celebrates the state’s only native horse, the American Saddlebred. With over 1,800 horses competing in more than 230 classes for Grand Champion titles, the horse show awarded a grand total of $1.5 million in prizes.
Kentucky Venues also hosted an array of successful agritourism events, including the 50th anniversary of the North American International Livestock Exposition, the National Farm Machinery Show, the Championship Tractor Pull, and the North American Championship Rodeo.
599,000 ATTENDEES
35,900 ENTRIES
400 VENDORS
75+ UNIQUE DAILY ACTIVITIES
SUPPORTING ARTS
AND HERITAGE THROUGH INVESTMENTS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Arts and culture is a $6.1 billion industry, employing 47,171 Kentuckians. The creative industry plays a vital role in Kentucky’s education, economy and culture. Team Kentucky is committed to supporting this important industry, making investments to help create opportunities that build and grow the arts.
A previous investment made in 2021 allowed the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) to double the number of students served to over 500 in the summers of 2022 and 2023. During the application process for the 2023 summer program, GSA received over 1,300 applications from students in 96 counties, representing a 14% growth in the number of counties in the applicant pool compared to the previous two years. Ultimately, students from 73 counties were selected, including the first students from Owsley County. As of 2023, GSA now has alumni from all 120 Kentucky counties.
GSA’s College and Career Day had over 120 students register to participate, providing alumni with an opportunity to build relationships with college representatives and present their artistic work samples to multiple schools at once. GSA also relaunched its Ambassador and Student Ambassador programs in the fall, empowering arts advocates and program alumni throughout the state to provide presentations about the GSA application process to prospective applicants.
The 40th anniversary of Kentucky Performing Arts was celebrated with season-long events. The festivities commenced with a free Community Celebration where it all began, The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. The event was filled with workshops and performances by YAPA, Redline Performing Arts, Sweet G & the Shine, Keen Dance Theatre, StageOne Storytellers, and LaNita Rocknettes. Additionally, The Healing Walls Project showcased art activities, while Louisville Silent Disco hosted a dance party.
Kentucky Performing Arts continued to serve as a home for Broadway productions to build and debut new works. ALI, a new musical celebrating the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali, features an all-star creative team including Director Clint Dyer, Composer Teddy Abrams, Choreographers Rich + Tone, and Music Producer Q-Tip. Other season highlights featured a three-week run of Wicked, breaking attendance records, and an enthralling performance by the Dance Theater of Harlem. The latter had a significant impact on the community, inspiring almost 500 young art enthusiasts. In 2023, Kentucky Performing Arts welcomed 343,660 attendants from all 50 states and five countries, generating over $20.5 million in revenue.
The Kentucky Artisan Center also marked a milestone in 2023, celebrating its 20th anniversary. In support of Kentucky arts and craftspeople, the center purchased $644,424 in artisan products from artist-owned small
businesses across Kentucky’s 120 counties. Additionally, the center welcomed 188 motorcoaches, which brought in an extra 7,075 visitors.
With funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Kentucky Humanities conducted a series of informative online workshops on Disaster Preparedness and Recovery. The workshops were designed to cover various stages of the disaster prep and recovery process and included insights and experiences shared by experts from across the country, along with firsthand accounts from individuals who had been impacted by natural disasters in Kentucky.
Kentucky Humanities also hosted the 43rd Kentucky Book Festival in October at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington. The event connected 140 authors, including three Pulitzer Prize winners, with thousands of Kentucky readers. Patrons enjoyed a full slate of main-stage events alongside educational workshops and craft talks, as well as a packed schedule of children’s events.
In 2023, the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage (KCAAH) unveiled the latest edition of its “Celebrating the Black Experience” art exhibit. The exhibit showcases the rich tapestry of diverse environments and traditions that contribute to the Black experience. It features images that express jubilation, sorrow, love, creativity, and truth-telling, all within the Black aesthetic. This counter-narrative offers alternative perspectives that are often missing or underrepresented.
Alongside the exhibit, KCAAH hosted 67 events and welcomed 18,000 visitors.
MODERNIZATION OF KENTUCKY’S STATE-OWNED TOURISM ATTRACTIONS AND DESTINATIONS
It’s crucial to modernize our state-owned attractions to keep them 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. In fact, many of our state agencies, including Kentucky State Parks, the Kentucky Artisan Center, the Kentucky Horse Park, Kentucky Performing Arts, and Kentucky Venues, underwent facility renovations and improvements in 2023.
Investing in infrastructure is vital for ensuring that our state parks can continue to attract visitors to communities throughout Kentucky. Thanks to a bipartisan effort to enhance safety and improve the overall guest experience, Kentucky State Parks underwent significant updates throughout the year. With a total investment of $7 million, the parks completed 481 capital and ledger projects to address mechanical maintenance and repair infrastructure throughout the park system.
In addition to a variety of routine repair and renovation projects, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources completed several major capital projects that will help attract more adventure travelers to Kentucky.
In Franklin County, the department constructed a new archery range for public target shooting and upgraded a walking path to the Fish and Wildlife headquarters to make it ADA accessible. Additionally, Fish and Wildlife completed a boat ramp renovation in Anderson County to help increase boater access, and new boat ramps were constructed in Wayne and Madison counties.
The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts building also underwent several capital project improvements in 2023, including elevator upgrades, theater improvements, lobby repairs and more. These improvements are vital because they ensure that the building is maintained in good working order and that it continues to provide a safe and comfortable environment for performers and audiences alike.
KENTUCKY: A DIVERSE, WELCOMING PLACE FOR EVERYONE
The Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in Kentucky through marketing, education, and partnerships. 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. The cabinet seeks to invest in DEI through learning and development training while highlighting and showcasing diversity in all we do.
The Kentucky Department of Tourism continues to launch marketing campaigns that aim to reach diverse audiences, including Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ communities. To achieve this, the department has implemented creative strategies tailored to each audience. Kentucky Tourism also commissioned new content for its website that addresses diversity, along with earned media and wider media relations efforts. As part of its targeted marketing approach, the department uses specific visuals and messaging intended to make diverse travelers feel welcome, celebrated, and safe when traveling in Kentucky. This initiative is part of the department’s efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity in the tourism industry.
As part of Senate Joint Resolution 58 passed by the General Assembly, the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and its agencies, the Department of Tourism and the Heritage Council, worked to promote the historic, military, and cultural importance of the Brigadier General Charles Young Memorial Historical Corridor and the many important historical sites along the route. Young, a graduate of West Point Military Academy, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the summer of 1889. In addition to his groundbreaking military career, Young became an educator, diplomat, the first black superintendent of a national park, and civil rights leader. A century after his death, Young was posthumously promoted retroactively to brigadier general, making him the first Black American recognized with this rank. In June, Governor Andy Beshear, alongside veterans and state officials, commemorated the designation of the Brigadier General Charles Young Memorial Historical Corridor.
In 2023, the Kentucky Arts Council organized two exhibits that showcased diversity in the arts. In November 2021, the arts council collaborated with Casa de la Cultura Kentucky and alDía en América to launch a traveling exhibit
called “Our Kentucky Home: Hispanic/Latin American Visual Art in the Commonwealth.” This exhibit features the experiences of Hispanic/Latin American/Latinx* people living in Kentucky and demonstrates diversity through a variety of media, styles, and themes. It recognizes the unique ways in which these Kentuckians contribute to our cultural landscape. “
Additionally, the Kentucky Arts Council partnered with the Asia Institute-Crane House and the Kentucky Chinese American Association to create a traveling exhibit called “Continent to Commonwealth.” This exhibit provides Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Kentuckians with a platform to showcase their visual art. It debuted during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2023 and will travel throughout Kentucky until July 2024.
The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage partnered with the Juneteenth Jubilee Commission to present the 2023 Juneteenth Weekend Heritage Experience. The event featured an award-winning one-woman stage play called, “The Fannie Lou Hamer Story,” performed
by Mzuri Moyo Aimbaye. The play showcased the inspirational journey of Fannie Lou Hamer, who is known as the “Mother of Voter Registration for Black America,” and impacted the lives of many.
Since 2021, the Kentucky Historical Society has worked to ensure the application process for a historical marker is a level playing field for all groups. In the 2023 marker application cycle, an external review committee approved 13 markers, nine of which highlight topics of African American history in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Historical Society also launched, “Our Stories, Our Service: Kentucky’s Women Veterans” in 2023. The historical society’s research underlined a failure to recognize the presence of women in the military. The Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs provided interviews and writings from women saying they “didn’t feel like ‘a real vet’ sometimes.” In addition to looking at the Kentucky military experience in a new light to illuminate the value of the military experience of women, this exhibit includes diverse stories looking at racial, social, and cultural impacts.
Mission Vision
● 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.
● 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.
Strategic Goals
● GROW KENTUCKY’S ECONOMY BY ENCOURAGING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES TO FOSTER ECONOMIC GROWTH.
● 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.
AGENCY DIRECTORY
TOURISM, ARTS AND HERITAGE SENIOR STAFF
Secretary
LINDY CASEBIER
Executive Director, Finance
MELISSA BREWER
Deputy Secretary
SEBASTIAN KITCHEN
General Counsel SARAH GRIDER CRONAN
Chief of Staff
Executive Director, Human Resources
CANNON ARMSTRONG
Executive Director, Public Affairs
MONA JUETT
ANITA HATCHETT
TOURISM, ARTS AND HERITAGE STAFF
Executive Director
CHARLES HIGGINBOTHAM
Special Assistant
AMBER LOGAN
Special Assistant
RAMONA RUDOLPH
Assistant General Counsel
EVAN JONES
Executive Staff Advisor
BECKY LONG
Staff Attorney III
Deputy General Counsel
DONNA SCHNEITER
Digital Director
GREG SMITH
Executive Assistant
JACOB LILLY
Deputy Communications Director
LIZ ROACH-SMITH
PETER KLEAR
AGENCY LEADERSHIP
Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources Commissioner
RICH STORM
Kentucky Center for African American Heritage Executive Director
AUKRAM BURTON
Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director
LEE CARTER
Department of Parks Commissioner
RUSS MEYER
Kentucky Center for the Arts President
KIM BAKER
Kentucky Humanities Council
Executive Director
BILL GOODMAN
Department of Tourism Commissioner
MIKE MANGEOT
Kentucky Artisan Center Executive Director
TODD FINLEY
Kentucky Venues President & CEO
DAVID BECK
Kentucky Performing Arts Education and Community Vice President
NICK COVAULT
Kentucky Heritage Council Executive Director
CRAIG A. POTTS
Kentucky Arts Council Executive Director
CHRIS CATHERS
Kentucky Historical Society Executive Director
SCOTT ALVEY
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