Ed Lawrence

Public Information Officer

502-564-9746

The June 1^st application deadline is quickly approaching for the Kentucky Arts Council’s Visual Arts at the Market program, which assists painters, printmakers, photographers and other artists working in two-dimensional art forms in increasing their wholesale and retail market reach. 

The primary benefit of being accepted in the Visual Arts at the Market program is eligibility to participate in Kentucky Crafted: The Market, a multi-million dollar, state-sponsored wholesale and retail market held annually in March at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville and produced by the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program. The Arts Council also provides professional development to accepted artists through marketing workshops, product development consultations and promotional opportunities. Visual Arts at the Market artists are eligible for inclusion in the Arts Council’s virtual exhibition at www.artscouncil.ky.gov/virtual.htm and may participate in the Kentucky Collection, a promotional program that assists specialty retailers in offering cultural products exclusively from Kentucky to local and visiting shoppers.

The Intent to Apply and Application forms, as well as Guidelines and Instructions are available on the Kentucky Arts Council Web site at http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog3/vam_gdl.htm.   An Intent to Apply form is required.  Extensions for the May 1 Intent to Apply deadline can be granted by contacting Artists and Community Arts Program Director Amber Luallen.  After the Intent to Apply form has been submitted, the completed Application must be postmarked or hand delivered by June 1, 2005 (no extensions). For further information about the Visual Arts at the Market program or other opportunities for individual artists, contact Amber Luallen toll free at 1-888-833-2787 or by e-mail to amber.luallen@ky.gov.

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The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet.  Working in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Council invests in programs that 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.