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News briefs on cultural events around Kentucky

By wmadministrator

LexArt’s 2010 Fund for the Arts Raises $930,000 to Benefit Arts Programs
The 2010 Fund for the Arts campaign for LexArts, Lexington’s cultural development, advocacy and fundraising organization, was at $930,000 as of late May, on track to meet its goal of $1 million by June 30. This includes $450,000 in Mayor Jim Newberry’s proposed fiscal 2011 budget, pending approval by the Urban County Council.

LexArts programs and services integrate the arts into daily life and include the Downtown Gallery Hop, ArtScene magazine and Arts Showcase Weekend. LexArts operates ArtsPlace and the Downtown Arts Center, which provide quality performance space, galleries, rehearsal and office space for nonprofit organizations. LexArts organizes visual art exhibitions and performances showcasing regional talent.

Horse Mania was a public art project that first filled Lexington streets with color in 2000. A new version of the project is being unveiled this summer to coincide with the World Equestrian Games.

Art Glass Conference Enthusiasts Boost Local Economy in Louisville by $1 Million
More than 1,000 artists, collectors, scholars, students and educators from around the world attended Glass Art Society’s 40th annual conference in Louisville June 10-12. Exhibits and events took place at nine museums, 15 galleries, two restaurants, two universities and a church.

Their attendance pumped some $1 million into the Louisville economy at hotels, restaurants and buying glass art and the conference exposed dozens of artists and high-end collectors from around the world to the city’s quality of life.
“The Louisville arts scene is very cutting edge, and that’s important for economic development,” said Pamela Koss, GAS executive director. “We came to Louisville because the city is so supportive of glass art.”

The conference could have the added benefit of attracting artists to the state and bolstering Louisville’s already strong arts community. Koss said the layout of the Market Street arts district was a major selling point. “The glass scene although young, is really well located for us. Logistically, it is all within an 18-block line in downtown Louisville.”

Paintsville Native Appointed to American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress
The U.S. Senate approved Jean Dorton of Paintsville to serve on the Board of Trustees of the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress.

Dorton, a graduate of Morehead State University and Prestonsburg Community College, is community and legislative liaison and manager of advancement at Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg.

The American Folklife Center was created in 1976 by the U.S. Congress to “preserve and present American folklife” and is one of the largest collections of ethnographic material from the United States and around the world.