Kentuckians for the Arts

Advocacy is speaking passionately and clearly about a subject that impacts your life

Take Action - Ask your legislators to support restoration of Kentucky Arts Council funding to the 2001 level of $4.5 million annually and share the following information with them:

Arts: A Smart Investment for Kentucky Communities

Why the Arts Matter in Kentucky - state and national data

Letter in Support of Restoration of Kentucky Arts Council funding signed by 123 Kentucky nonprofit arts organizations

The Kentucky Arts Council, Kentucky's state arts agency, ranks 45th in the nation in per capita funding from state government. Join advocacy efforts during the 2026 legislative session to restore arts council funding to at least the 2001 level of $4.5 million annually!

Kentucky's funding has decreased by 59% since 2001.
The current annual legislative support of $1.8 million is lower than it was in 1987.
All bordering states, as well as Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina fund their state arts agencies at higher rates than Kentucky.

Kentucky Arts Day was held Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Check here for additional information and resources.

Meeting with your Legislators

Find your legislators

Setting up a meeting with your legislators

If you schedule a meeting with your legislator in Frankfort during the legislative session, plan to arrive in plenty of time before your meeting, since parking can be a challenge. We recommend that you park in the Capitol garage. There is no charge for parking. You will enter the Capitol Annex through the main front doors and will need to show a photo ID.

Note: The State Capitol is currently closed for renovation, but the Capitol Annex and the Capitol garage are open.

Map of State Capitol Annex during Renovation

Thank you to the more than 900 Kentucky organizations and individuals who signed the letter
in support of funding for the
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)!

Your voices mattered. The sign-on letter to Kentucky's Congressional
delegation helped successfully advocate for continued NEA funding for
FY26 at $207 million.

The funding was included in HR6938, the consolidated appropriations
bill containing the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, which
houses funding for many federal cultural agencies. The bill was:

Passed by the U.S. House Jan. 8 with a bi-partisan vote of 397-28 with Kentucky Representatives Guthrie, McGarvey, Comer, Barr and Rogers voting yes;
Passed by the U.S. Senate Jan. 15 with a bi-partisan vote of 82-15 with Kentucky Senator McConnell voting yes;

Signed into law Jan. 23 by President Trump

Show your appreciation by writing to thank Representatives Guthrie, McGarvey, Comer, Barr, and Rogers as well as Senator McConnell, for their votes in support of NEA funding.

Kentucky Sign-on Letter in Support of the National Endowment for the Arts

Contact Your Kentucky Members of Congress

Find out who your Representative is

Breaking News Updates Affecting the Arts and Culture

Messaging Points in Support of the National Endowment for the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts Return on Investment

How Arts Education Decisions Are Made in Kentucky Schools: An Overview: Arts Education Advocacy

Making Arts Advocacy Work for You for Educators (PowerPoint Presentation)

Investigating Arts Education Effects on School Engagement and Climate

Questions to Ask About Your Child's School

MAKE ADVOCACY PART OF YOUR ORGANIZATION'S CULTURE
Is your nonprofit organization interested in being more involved in advocating for public policy supportive of the arts and creative industry, but not sure how to begin? Your organization’s leadership can be powerful advocates and should be at the forefront of building public understanding and support by elected officials. This webinar will outline what your organization is legally allowed to do, how and when to advocate, tools for incorporating advocacy into your day-to-day work, and how to begin taking action now. Learn how to build the advocacy capacity of your staff and board and make advocacy a part of your organization’s culture.
View video of the webinar

ADVOCATE FOR THE ARTS: YOU CAN DO IT!
The arts community has been, and continues to be, disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and voicing support for the arts and arts funding is more important now than ever. Individual artists, nonprofit organizations, educators and other creative workers and arts professionals can all play a role in advocating for the arts.
View video of the webinar

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS: BUILDING YOUR ADVOCACY MESSAGE
Preparing your message in advance is essential to effective arts advocacy, but many in the arts community feel unsure on what to say and whom to say it to. Join this unique workshop to learn about a simple messaging technique you can use to craft advocacy messages about the arts issues important to you.
View video of the webinar