Kentucky Performing Arts strives to deepen and strengthen its commitment to being welcoming and inclusive by removing barriers to the joy and power of the arts. KPA's programming supports artists and artforms that reflect the diverse community it serves.
Applications for the 2026/2027 Season open July 1, 2026.
GUIDELINES:
- Kentucky Performing Arts (KPA) offers community-based artists and organizations an opportunity to obtain rental assistance in its family of venues: The Kentucky Center (Whitney Hall, Bomhard Theater and MeX Theater), the Brown Theatre, and Old Forester's Paristown Hall. The KPA Spaces for All Fund has been established to ensure local, qualifying organizations can successfully afford KPA venues at reduced rental rates.
- Rental assistance awards may be used toward overall venue expenses, including rental cost, production equipment and labor, venue staffing and security costs. Funds will be applied at settlement and can only be used to support facility expenses. Exclusions include social events, political events, set costs, costumes, catering and artist fees.
AWARDS:
- In-kind support of between $1,500 and $5,000 may be awarded. No cash is awarded. In-kind support will be applied toward venue expenses with the exception of the deposit.
- Applicants will be asked to communicate the amount of support they are requesting between $1,500 and $5,000. Award amounts are at the discretion of the review panel. First Come, first considered. Amounts awarded may be less than requested.
- Awards are for a single, arts-based project to be presented in a KPA venue.
- Eligible KPA Venues: All
APPLICATION PERIOD:
- Ongoing - Awards announced within 60 days of application. Applicant must have a (no cost, no obligation) hold on the KPA venue of choice prior to application submission and go through the estimate process.
- To learn information about the venue, check venue availability, and place a hold, contact the KPA Booking Department: [email protected] or 502.562.0100 Ext. 3
FUNDING PRIORITIES:
Artists/organizations must have an operating budget of $500,000 or less and meet at least one of the following requirements to apply:
- Applicants must have a (no cost, no obligation) hold at a Kentucky Performing Arts venue and begin the estimate process PRIOR to applying for support.
- Be a registered 501(c)3
- Be mission based
- Represent and/or serve youth or historically underrepresented communities
- Present underrepresented art forms
- Communities served: Greater Louisville area including the following counties: Bullitt, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Meade, Oldham, Nelson, Shelby, and Spencer counties in Kentucky; Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington counties in Indiana..
- Funds must be used by June 30, 2027.
- Language referencing KPA funding must be included in all print/digital materials, social media, related events, and pre-show remarks.
- The KPA Spaces for All Fund provides underwriting to ensure local, qualifying organizations can successfully afford KPA venues at reduced rental rates.
- A post-event evaluation is required including a brief explanation of how the funding impacted the project.
- Applicants who have received KPA funding in the past year are eligible, however, any additional funding must be for a unique project.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please complete the application in full and include any required supporting documentation.
- An application must be received no less than 90 days before the requested event date.
- Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
- Applicants will receive notification within 60 days of submission.
- Funding amounts awarded are at the discretion of the review panel.
- Funding may not exceed the cost of the event.
For general questions about the program or process, please email [email protected]
"Every department at KPA Spaces for All were a joy to collaborate with. They listened, were helpful, patient and professional. I would recommend working with them 100 percent .I would wholeheartedly bring another show or exhibit to this amazing program and space. It is a true gem in the community to have access to present new ideas, creations and art."
-Sonya Hensley
"This grant supported our rehearsals and performances while at the MeX Theater. It went for the load-in specifically as well as Nova's time. In so doing it also provided in-direct support for bringing an interfaith community from a Black Christian group, many who had never been to the Kentucky Center and some who had never attended theatre."
-David Chack, ShPIel Theatre
"The KPA's Spaces for All grant paid the facility cost for the 2026 T'D Up Showcase — without this support, the Showcase would not have happened. 700 students attended, witnessing original songs written, recorded, and performed by their JCPS peers, with zero reported behavioral incidents. For many performers, it was their first time in front of a real audience. KPA's support didn't just rent a room — it made the year's most important program moment possible."
-NyRee Clayton-Taylor, Hip Hop Into Learning (HHN2L)
"The support from KPA Spaces for All helped support our organization better organize our funds to use the amazing venues KPA has to offer. Our event brings in collegiate students from participating dance teams across the country, and we have loved working with KPA these past years in hosting our national collegiate dance competition in Louisville. The Spaces for All has been such a huge support to us especially in regards to relieving some of the financial stress."
-Priya Viswakumar, Indian Student Association Inc.
"We cannot thank you enough for helping us provide this amazing opportunity for our students and their families!"
-Josh Ford, Louisville Dance Alliance
