Kentucky Arts Funding Update
After a legislative session marked by your powerful and strategic advocacy, we are disappointed to share that the final version of the Executive Branch budget (HB 500), passed by the legislature on April 1, reduces funding for the Kentucky Arts Council. Like most state agencies, the Arts Council will see a 4% reduction in FY27, followed by an additional 3% reduction in FY28.
As the legislative session officially concludes, we will begin the next phase of this effort—continuing to build the relationships we cultivated together, aligning our priorities to policy realities, and amplifying the transformative impact of the arts. The KFTA April newsletter will include a full report on funding for arts and culture included in both HB500 and HB900. Subscribe to the newsletter.
March newsletterCurrent KY Bills Regarding the Arts... Kentucky Student Voice Team Holds Hearing... Register to be a Blue Star Museum... These stories and more in the March Newsletter! |
View our interactive calendar!
The March KFTA calendar has the scoop on grant deadlines, special arts days and more.
Interactive version at March 2026 Calendar!
our advocacy in support of the Nea was successful!
Thanks to the almost 1,000 Kentucky individuals and arts organization advocates who signed the request asking Kentucky's congressional delegation to support the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)!
HR6938 awarding the NEA $207 million for FY26 was passed by the House of Representatives on January 8 with a bi-partisan vote of 397-28. Kentucky Representatives Guthrie, McGarvey, Comer, Barr, and Rogers voted in favor of the funding.
The bill was passed by the Senate on January 15 with a bi-partisan vote of 82-15. Senator McConnell voted yes on the funding for the NEA.
The bill was signed into law by President Trump on January 23, 2026.
join kfta and help speak up for kentucky arts!
Kentuckians for the Arts is Kentucky's arts advocacy organization. KFTA brings together arts organizations, educators, artists, and arts supporters to speak with a united voice. We work for:
- Increased funding for the arts at the federal, state, and local level;
- Arts-friendly public policy;
- Awareness of the value of the arts and arts education.
Individual membership is just $25 per year ($15 for students), with varying levels of support for organizations.
Kentuckians for the Arts is grateful for the support of its organizational and business members:
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Kentuckians for the Arts is funded in part by the Kentucky Arts Council and South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Americans for the Arts, and the husk fund.
