KPA Spaces For All Fund

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.

Below you will find information about the program along with a link to apply.

Applications are currently being accepted for projects occurring before June 30, 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:

• 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..
• Applicants must have a (no cost, no obligation) hold at a Kentucky Performing Arts venue and go through the estimate process.
• Funds must be used within one year of receiving approval.
• 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]