The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting applications until March 15, 2010, from professional artists who wish to be included in the Performing Arts Directory, Arts Education Roster or Kentucky Crafted Program. These state-sponsored adjudicated programs help performing artists, teaching artists and visual artists promote their work and build their careers.

The Performing Arts Directory is for professional artists, companies or groups who practice dance, music, storytelling or theatre arts. Artists selected are included in the online Performing Arts Directory, have opportunities to showcase for presenters, and are offered free professional development to enhance their marketing and promotion skills.

The Arts Education Roster is for professional artists who are qualified to conduct residencies in an educational environment and have the skills and competencies needed to work with teachers and students in designing and implementing arts programs. Artists working in any discipline or medium, including visual arts, media arts, performing arts, literary arts and folk and traditional arts, are eligible to apply. Folklorists working with communities and identifying local folk traditions may also apply. Arts Education Roster artists often find opportunities to work in schools, museums, art centers, social service agencies, hospitals and community centers. The Kentucky Arts Council’s Teacher Initiated Program (an artist residency grant program) requires grantee schools and school districts to select artists from the Arts Education Roster.

The Kentucky Crafted Program recognizes and encourages the production of marketable high-quality art and craft products. Acceptance into the program is based on artistic excellence and marketability, as judged by an independent panel of art and craft marketing professionals. Artists selected for the program receive business development and marketing support. They have the opportunity to exhibit at Kentucky Crafted: The Market, the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia and Baltimore, and the Governor’s Derby Celebration. The Kentucky Arts Council also produces the online Kentucky Crafted Directory, reserved exclusively for artists accepted into the program.

For a current listing of the artists featured in the Performing Arts Directory, the Arts Education Roster and the Kentucky Crafted Directory, go to http://artistdirectory.ky.gov.

To access guidelines, instructions and applications for these artist programs, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/xindex.htm.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.