Sarah M. Schmitt

The meeting includes introductions and comments by the Board Chair, an introduction of the Executive Artistic Director from Woodford Theatre, and updates on America 250 KY grants, the 2024 Annual Report Review, and Strategic Plan. The agenda also covers an Executive Director's Report with agency updates and monitoring reports, a board discussion on Kentuckians for the Arts, and statewide arts highlights and events.

The Kentucky Arts Council Board Meeting included a land acknowledgement and a Juneteenth acknowledgement. The board discussed and sought approval for FY2026 grants, including the Kentucky Arts Partnership Grant, the Kentucky Touring grant, the Individual Artist Fellowship and Emerging Artist Award, the Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship, and blanket approval of the Teaching Art Together and the Arts Miles Program. Updates were provided on the Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) Grant, the Individual Artist Fellowship and Emerging Arts Award, and the Kentucky Touring Grant. The board reviewed funding amounts with and without NEA grant funds. There was a discussion on the economic impact of tourism and the arts in Kentucky. Upcoming events and partnerships were highlighted, including the Celebrating the Black Experience Exhibit.

The meeting included a report from the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet, highlighting tourism growth, tourism development projects, the "My New Kentucky Home" initiative, upgrades to Kentucky State Parks, and economic development projects. Staff reports covered Poetry Out Loud, the Teaching Artists Directory, the TranspARTation Directory, and MARKET 2025, including attendance, buyer businesses, exhibitor attendance, booth awards, and programming. The Executive Director's Report acknowledged Indigenous stewardship of the land and highlighted the Lexington Senior Center Concert, Kentucky Arts Day, the Native Reflections Exhibit, the KY Guild Exhibit -- "ARTifacts", the I Was Here Project, Poetry Out Loud (State Winner), KHERN (Heritage Emergency Response), the Art Market Fundraiser, the Kentucky Women Remembered Exhibit, and the Creative Industry Summit Series.

The Kentucky Arts Council Board Meeting included updates and discussions on various programs and initiatives. The Kentucky Artisan Center's 20th anniversary was celebrated. Updates were provided on the Community Scholars program, Teaching Art Together & Transportation Grants, the Performing Artist Directory & Kentucky Touring Grants, and the Kentucky Crafted Program. The board discussed the Creative Industries Summit Series, the Native Reflections exhibit, and potential federal cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts. The board also reviewed and approved the performing arts directory, Kentucky Crafted Program, Teaching Art Together grants, and Transportation Grants.

The Kentucky Arts Council Board Meeting included a land acknowledgement and Juneteenth acknowledgement. The meeting involved staff reports, including the introduction of the new Arts Organization Director, updates on the Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) grant, Poetry Out Loud, Teaching Artist Directory, Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships, Kentucky Writers' Day, Kentucky Touring Grant, and Individual Artist Fellowship. The Executive Director reported on various events and initiatives. The board reviewed and approved various grants, discussed funding challenges, and heard a report from Kentuckians for the Arts (KFTA) regarding arts funding in the state budget. Board members shared updates from around the Commonwealth.