Kentucky Touring Grant

The Kentucky Touring Grant is administered by the Kentucky Arts Council, a state-level agency dedicated to supporting the arts across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Council works to ensure that high-quality artistic experiences are accessible to residents statewide, particularly by strengthening connections between communities and professional artists. This grant program specifically focuses on enhancing public access to performing arts by providing financial support to organizations that host performances featuring artists from the Council’s curated Performing Artists Directory. The primary purpose of the Kentucky Touring Grant is to make high-quality public performances more widely available throughout Kentucky. The program supports presentations in disciplines such as dance, music, theatre, and storytelling. Funded performances must meet specific criteria, including a minimum duration of sixty minutes, public accessibility, and the requirement that the featured artist is listed in the Kentucky Arts Council Performing Artists Directory. The program also encourages community engagement through outreach activities such as workshops, masterclasses, or discussions led by the performing artists. Funding is structured as a matching grant, offering up to 5000 dollars per applicant. Grantees must provide matching funds, with at least 25 percent of the requested amount coming from cash sources such as ticket sales, sponsorships, or donations, while no more than 25 percent of the match may be in-kind contributions. Grant funds may be used exclusively for artist fees and marketing or promotional expenses. Restrictions apply to ensure funds are not used for unrelated costs, performances outside Kentucky, or activities that are political, religious, or primarily commercial in nature. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with annual budgets under 1000000 dollars that are legally established and headquartered in Kentucky. Eligible entities include arts organizations, schools, libraries, community-based organizations, and certain institutions serving residential populations such as hospitals and correctional facilities. Applicants must maintain tax-exempt status throughout the grant period and provide required documentation including a FEIN, a Unique Entity ID, and registration with the Kentucky vendor system. The application process is conducted through the Kentucky Arts Council’s GO Smart online system. Applicants must create an organizational profile, complete detailed sections on performance planning, marketing, evaluation, accessibility, and budgeting, and upload signed agreements with participating artists. Submission of the application confirms that the applicant has reviewed and understood all program guidelines. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including performance planning, marketing strategy, evaluation methods, accessibility, and budget alignment. The timeline for the grant includes an application deadline of March 31, 2026, followed by panel review in May 2026 and board approval in June 2026. Award notifications are issued in July 2026, and the grant period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Final reports are required within 30 days of project completion and no later than July 30, 2027. The program operates on an annual cycle, and applicants are encouraged to engage with program staff through office hours and workshops for guidance. Contact for the program is available through the Kentucky Arts Council, with Tamara Coffey serving as Arts Program Branch Manager. Applicants can reach the office by phone or email for assistance throughout the application process. The Council emphasizes accessibility, community impact, and strong planning as key factors in successful applications, ensuring that funded projects deliver meaningful cultural experiences to diverse audiences across the state.

Ensure strong alignment between performer selection and stated goals; demonstrate clear marketing strategy and audience reach; provide detailed accessibility measures; confirm matching funds feasibility