FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 13, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced 15 nonprofit organizations across the commonwealth will receive $51,175 in grant funding to book dance, music, theater and storytelling performers from the Kentucky Arts Council Performing Artists Directory.
“The arts have a special way of bringing people together and helping our families feel more connected and supported,” said Gov. Beshear. “That’s why it’s so important for Kentuckians to have access to the arts in their own communities. Team Kentucky is proud to support our local artists and arts organizations as they make the arts more accessible across our New Kentucky Home.”
All performances are open and marketed to the public and include artist outreach activities like workshops and mini performances for community partners. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is hosting Art in the Park on Sept. 12, featuring local artists as well as vendors throughout the Cumberland Falls area who represent a diverse range of textiles, mediums and creative disciplines.
“It is an opportunity for our park to champion the arts while bringing rich, vibrant cultural experiences to a region that has not traditionally had access to a wide variety of arts and cultural programming,” said Maggy Kriebel, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park manager. “The event will also showcase an engaging lineup of performing artists, including Chinese dance, bluegrass music and storytelling, offering visitors a dynamic celebration of creativity, culture and community.”
Awardees for the 2027 grant cycle include:
- Boone County Public Library Foundation, Boone County
- Great American Brass Band Festival, Boyle County
- Pennyroyal Arts Council Inc., Christian County
- Friends of Lexington Senior Centers, Fayette County
- City of Frankfort, Kentucky, Franklin County
- Grand Theatre, Franklin County
- Josephine Sculpture Park, Franklin County
- Louisville Folk School, Jefferson County
- Berea Arts Council, Madison County
- AMP Berea, Madison County
- Stidham Old Time Music Association, Martin County
- Lowertown Arts and Music Festival, McCracken County
- Lake Cumberland Performing Arts, Pulaski County
- Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Whitley County
- Bluegrass Greensource, Woodford County
For more information on the Kentucky Touring Grant, visit Kentucky Touring Grant - Kentucky Arts Council.
The Kentucky Arts Council provides leadership, funding and support for the arts in Kentucky. For more information on the Kentucky Arts Council and other grant opportunities, visit the artscouncil.ky.gov.
The Kentucky Arts Council is the state arts agency and is responsible for developing and promoting support for the arts in Kentucky. Strategically placed in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Arts Council is publicly funded by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, an independent agency of the federal government.