Sense of Place

“From free concerts at a historic rail site in Ludlow to arts programming woven into a Covington farmers market, these initiatives are building vibrant, connected communities and making culture within reach for everyone. We're grateful for MeetNKY's partnership in making this work possible,” said Alecia Kintner, president and CEO of ArtsWave.

Family poses after participating in a performance at Sparks in the Park in Covington with Circus Mojo, a 2025 grantee.

Photo:The Center for Great Neighborhoods

This week, ArtsWave and MeetNKY awarded $60,000 through nine Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking grants to support arts and cultural heritage projects across Northern Kentucky. The grants, part of an ongoing strategic partnership between the two organizations, fund community-driven initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods, celebrate cultural identity and drive economic vitality throughout the region.

2026-27 Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grants

African Women Alliance
Creative Roots: A Heritage Skills Workshop

Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theatre
Afrika On The Move: Expanding Cultural Connections & Community Wellbeing

Infinite Hills Productions, Inc.
The Rail Sessions

Pones
Ride with an Artist Day

Queer Kentucky, Inc.
NKY Anthology Print Magazine

ReNewport
The Orchard Project

Southbank Shakespeare
Southbank Shakespeare Summer Season

The Center for Great Neighborhoods
Arts at the Market

Urban Appalachian Community Coalition
UACC Place Keepers – Woven Branches Project

“These nine projects reflect what creative placemaking does at its best, it roots the arts in the neighborhoods where people already live, work and gather,” said Kintner.

Funded projects will take place between June 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027, spanning Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties.

The grant program supports nonprofit organizations proposing arts-driven initiatives that contribute to community development across Northern Kentucky, aligned with ArtsWave's Blueprint for Collective Action.

Projects include a traveling African cultural festival and wellness initiative, a live music series activating Ludlow's historic Railfan Tower, arts experiences aboard TANK bus routes, expanded free Shakespeare performances throughout Northern Kentucky and creative programming at the Covington Farmers Market. Projects also include hands-on African cultural heritage workshops, a print anthology highlighting Northern Kentucky's LGBTQ+ arts community, continued transformation of Newport's Orchard Street corridor through public art and events, and a collaborative project engaging young adults in exploring Appalachian heritage through visual art and storytelling.

“Arts and culture are central to how people experience and connect with Northern Kentucky,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of MeetNKY. “These projects energize public spaces, reflect the character of our communities and make Northern Kentucky a more compelling place to live and visit. We're proud to support this work alongside ArtsWave.”