Home » Kentucky Arts Council awards more than $1.1 million in grants to nonprofits

Kentucky Arts Council awards more than $1.1 million in grants to nonprofits

FRANKFORT, Ky. — One hundred nonprofit arts organizations across Kentucky will benefit from more than $1.1 million in funding from the Kentucky Arts Council’s Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) grant in the 2023 fiscal year.

The KAP grant provides nonprofit arts organizations with unrestricted operating support to ensure that year-round participation in the arts is available to the people of Kentucky.

“The Kentucky Arts Partnership organizations do the heavy lifting for the arts in their own communities, and we are grateful for their hard work and passion for serving, educating and invigorating the commonwealth,” said Chris Cathers, arts council executive director. “These grants will help them as they continue their work growing the arts across the state.”

One of the first-time KAP grant recipients is the Owsley County Alliance for Recreation & Entertainment (OCARE).

OCARE was formed in 2014, and JoAnne Richardson, the organization’s chair, said its mission is to improve Owsley County by bringing new social, cultural, educational and economic opportunities to the community.

“Applying for this grant was a good opportunity,” Richardson said. “It was the first time anyone said to us, ‘tell us what you need.’”

Although this was the first time OCARE had applied for a KAP grant, the organization received a Kentucky Arts Council–American Rescue Plan grant in 2021. Applying for that grant helped OCARE build a relationship with the arts council.

“We couldn’t have gotten where we are without help,” Richardson said. “We’re very thankful to the Kentucky Arts Council.”

The competitive grants are awarded annually. A list of organizations that received funding for the 2023 fiscal year can be found on the arts council website.

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