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

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 (HB500), passed by the legislature yesterday, 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.

Based on appropriations made to arts and cultural organizations in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund allocations bill (HB900), it appears the General Assembly favored the approach of making one-time investments in individual organizations rather than increasing the state's obligations to an ongoing expense in a tough--and uncertain--fiscal environment.

We are grateful for all investments supporting arts in the Commonwealth. But, we take this moment to recognize the ongoing importance of educating our policymakers on the unique effectiveness of sustained, collective funding--and the broad, statewide impact it makes possible.

In conversations with legislative champions on both sides of the aisle, one thing is clear: together we have elevated the profile of the Arts Council, KFTA, our partners, and our shared priorities as advocates across the Commonwealth. That progress matters--and it gives us a strong foundation on which to build.

It's also clear that our work is not finished.

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.

Review the funding breakdown in the summary of capital and operating funding for the arts awarded during the Kentucky 2026 Legislative Session.

Kentucky Advocacy resources

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, January 22, 2026. Check here for additional information and resources.

Meeting with Your Legislators

If you schedule a meeting with your legislator in Frankfort during the legislative session, plan to arrive with 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. View the renovation map.

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 January 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 January 15 with a bi-partisan vote of 82-15 with Kentucky Senator McConnell voting yes;

Signed into law January 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.

Find Out Who Your Representatives Are

Contact Your Kentucky Members of Congress

National Advocacy resources

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.

Advocacy Strategies for Kentucky Investment in the Arts

Learn tools and strategies needed to advocate effectively. View video of the webinar.

Asking 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.