State Arts Agency Originally Established as
Kentucky Arts Commission
When the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was created in 1965, the partnership between federal and state arts agencies was born. In addition to its own direct grants, the Arts Endowment began to fund state arts agencies, allowing them to disperse federal funding to state and local arts agencies. In 1965, only a few state arts agencies existed. In response to the NEA offer to every state of a $50,000 matching grant, the Kentucky Arts Commission was created by executive order of Governor Edward T. Breathitt. The following year, 1966, the General Assembly passed legislation establishing the Kentucky Arts Commission. The enabling legislation stated its purpose: "to develop a broadly conceived state policy of support for the arts in Kentucky."
Over the years, the opportunities to participate in the arts have grown exponentially. From the national perspective, there are now 56 state arts agencies, including all the states and territories. Collectively they sponsor the work of over 2 million artists and nearly 16,000 non-profit arts organizations. State arts agencies provide more than half of all public-sector funding for the arts in America.
In Kentucky, the Arts Council awards over 500 matching grants annually to artists, schools, libraries, community organizations and arts organizations totaling $3.3 million to develop vibrant communities, provide lifelong education in the arts and support arts participation. Every $1 in grant funds awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council helps grantees secure $15 in earned income and matching funds from individuals, philanthropic sources and other levels of government.
Since that meager beginning in 1965, the Kentucky Arts Council has been the guiding force for building an arts infrastructure that is supportive of artists, inclusive of all Kentuckians and integrated into education and community life throughout the commonwealth.
Kentucky Arts Council Timeline 1965 — 2011