WKU News

The Kentucky Museum is seeking new sponsors for the annual juried Celebration of the Arts show. Opening on March 4, 2023, the Celebration of the Arts provides over 175 artists with the chance to showcase and receive recognition for artistic excellence. Last year’s award ceremony welcomed over 600 guests.  

This year’s show features ten categories with awards for first, second, and third place: Ceramics and Glass, Drawing and Illustration, Fiber Arts, Graphic Design and Digital Art, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor.

The Kentucky Museum has also created new sponsorships to provide scholarships to Western Kentucky University (WKU) and South-Central Kentucky Technical and Community College (SKYCTC) students to submit their works at no cost, ensuring students – who are often on limited incomes – can participate in this key professional development opportunity.

These awards are sponsored by businesses and individuals throughout South Central Kentucky, recognized at the awards ceremony and in print and digital marketing.

At time of press, the Kentucky Museum is seeking sponsors for the following:

• 3rd place, Drawing and Illustration - $125
• 2nd place, Mixed Media - $150
• 3rd place, Mixed Media - $125
• 2nd place, Printmaking - $150
• 3rd place, Painting - $125
• 3rd place, Photography - $125
• 2nd place, Sculpture - $150
• 3rd place, Watercolor - $125
• Student Scholarships - $20 per students, with a goal of $1,000 total to provide 50 scholarships.
• General Show Sponsors to help cover additional costs. Show sponsors are recognized based on level of giving, including:
  • Arts Ally, $1 to $99
  • Arts Patron, $100 to $499
  • Arts Champion, $500 or more

To become an award or show sponsor, make a secure online gift at http://alumni.wku.edu/usbankshow

Award sponsorships are given on a first-come, first-serve basis. On the giving form, under “Additional Information”, please enter the award you wish to sponsor. Once all awards have been filled, additional gifts will be recognized as general show sponsors or scholarship sponsors.

All proceeds from the Celebration of the Arts show support the Kentucky Museum’s art collections, exhibitions, and programs.

About the Kentucky Museum

The Kentucky Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Kentucky Museum celebrates all aspects of southcentral Kentucky’s art, history and culture. “Kentuckians need to know Kentucky” was the Museum’s earliest conceptual framework, which took shape under WKU’s founding President, Dr. Henry Hardin Cherry. Today, the Museum is a steadfast educational campus partner helping to inspire innovation, elevate community and transform the lives of WKU students and the region. To learn more, visit wku.edu/kentuckymuseum

For more information, contact Tiffany Isselhardt at (270) 745-3369.