Home » Al Smith Fellowships awarded to 5 Kentucky artists

Al Smith Fellowships awarded to 5 Kentucky artists

Each receives $7,500 grant

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 20, 2015) — Five of Kentucky’s top artists have been honored with $7,500 Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowships from the Kentucky Arts Council for exemplifying excellence in their respective creative disciplines.

artsThe prestigious award, named in honor of former arts council chair and Kentucky journalist Al Smith, recognizes professional artists who have reached a high level of achievement in their careers. Since its beginning in 1983, the program has provided more than $2.5 million in funding to artists in the visual arts, literary arts, media arts, composing and choreography.

The 2015 recipients are:

  • Jacob Gotlib, composing (new music), Louisville
  • Diane Kahlo, visual arts (installation), Lexington
  • Douglas Miller, visual arts (drawing), Louisville
  • James Robert Southard, visual arts (photography), Lexington
  • Melissa Vandenberg, visual arts (sculpture), Richmond