LexArts
History
LexArts has been a part of the Lexington community for over 50 years. With its mission to support and grow a thriving arts scene, LexArts has become an essential cornerstone of the city’s cultural life.
LexArts was founded in 1972 as the Lexington Council of the Arts, aiming to support a thriving arts community through advocacy, funding, and programming.
In 1989, it merged with the Fund for the Arts to become the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council. In 2005, the organization was renamed LexArts.
LexArts now serves as the local arts agency for the greater Lexington area, providing funding to artists and arts organizations, organizing events like the LexArts Gallery Hop, and operating ArtsPlace, a multi-purpose arts center and former YWCA building.
Key Milestones
- 1972: Founded as the Lexington Council of the Arts.
- 1989: Merged with the Fund for the Arts to become the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council.
- 2005: Renamed LexArts.
- 1980-1983: ArtsPlace, the organization’s headquarters and a multi-purpose arts center, was renovated after LexArts purchased the former YWCA building.
LexArts Past Projects
Book Benches
LexArts, Arts Connect, and the Carnegie Center have teamed up to create thirty five book-shaped functional benches, painted by Kentucky artists to represent books by Kentucky authors. The Book Benches will be placed throughout Lexington for the duration of summer 2018.
Horse Mania
Horse Mania has been a well-known recurring public art project created by LexArts in 2000, 2010, and 2022. Based on Chicago’s “Cows on Parade,” Horse Mania’s goal was to provide the community the opportunity to enjoy the arts through its most famous symbol, the horse.
