The 2024 Cultural Pass and Summer Reading offers a “passport to creativity” for Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana young people
School’s out and the 2024 Cultural Pass and library summer reading programs are here to prevent summer learning loss, provide fun and free arts and culture experiences, and inspire young people ages 0-21 to take full advantage of their passport to creativity! Cultural Pass programs are available in Jefferson, Bullitt, and Oldham counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana.
“Louisville’s vibrant arts and culture scene is a cornerstone of our community’s identity, and the 2024 Cultural Pass represents our commitment to fostering creativity and inclusivity,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “This initiative is continuing to grow in its 11th year and is a wonderful example of how collaboration between City agencies and community partners enriches the lives of Louisvillians and visitors alike.”
Louisville Deputy Mayor David James, along with representatives from partner organizations Fund for the Arts, Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL), and Floyd County Library will announce details of this year’s and the 2024 Cultural Pass and Summer Reading Program at a Kickoff event on June 1 (10 am – 1 pm) at the LFPL Main Branch on 301 York Street.
Several 2024 Cultural Pass venues and partners will lead activities or share performances throughout the day. Families with children, as well as anyone in the 0-21 Cultural Pass age range, will be able to stop by and sign up for both programs. There will also be local food trucks, fun vendors such as face paint and roaming characters, performances from The Louisville Leopard Percussionists, Ambo Dance Theatre, and a demonstration from Louisville Zoo to make the day fun for all ages!
2024 Cultural Pass
The Cultural Pass is an admission-free program that supports and encourages summer learning by providing free access and programming to over 40 of Louisville and Southern Indiana’s arts and cultural institutions, including Kentucky Science Center, Harrison County Discovery Center, Louisville Zoo, The Little Loomhouse, Louisville Leopard Percussionists, The Falls of the Ohio State Park, Speed Art Museum, and so many more! The program runs from thru August 4, when the school year resumes.
“Our arts and culture sector has so much to offer our young people all year round, but especially during the summer,” said Andre Kimo Stone Guess, President & CEO of Fund for the Arts. “We believe that everyone in our community is an artist, and we encourage everyone to explore their artistic identities! Free access and specialized programming makes those opportunities infinitely more accessible, and helps build healthier, happier communities for people of every age.”
This year, TARC will help connect Cultural Pass holders who need transportation assistance to access arts and cultural venues through a limited number of passes for those in need, good for riding TARC throughout the summer.
“Our priority at TARC is helping everyone in our community have access to the important places of their life,” said TARC Board Chairperson, Ted Smith. “It isn’t just the everyday needs of necessity, but also having access to the many great arts and cultural institutions our city has to offer that makes a person’s journey complete. I’m happy TARC is able to help make that possible this year.”
Community members can register for Cultural Pass at their local library. Participating libraries include all Louisville Free Public Library locations, The Floyd County Library, Bullitt County Public Library, Jeffersonville Township Public Library, and Charlestown Clark County Public Library. To register for Cultural Pass, you must be a resident ages 0-21 of one of the participating counties and have a library card. Visit culturalpass.org to learn more about how to register for or use Cultural Pass.
The 2024 Cultural Pass is presented by the Fund for the Arts, Louisville Metro Government, Arts & Culture Alliance (ACA), and the Louisville Free Public Library, and it is supported by Louisville Metro Government, the Caesar’s Foundation, The Gheens Foundation, PNC Bank, the Sam and Bonnie Rechter Family Foundation, Chase Bank, the Sociable Weaver Foundation, the Owsley Brown III Philanthropic Foundation, and Brooke Brown Barzun and Matthew Barzun.
Summer Reading
Presented by the Library Foundation, the Library’s annual Summer Reading Program is a free 10-week program that encourages kids and teens to read for fun over the summer by offering prizes and incentives. Every child—from infant through 12th grade—who completes the program will receive an LFPL backpack or small shoulder bag. In addition, completers will receive passes to local attractions and sporting events like the Kentucky Science Center, Squire Boone Caverns, Louisville Bats, Racing Louisville FC, and select UofL sports, as well as sweet treats from Fazoli’s, Ehrler’s, Raising Cane’s, and Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Co. To complete the program, school-aged children simply read ten books, teens read six books, and preschool-aged children and younger need to read, or have read to them, 20 books.
“Summer Reading is a great out-of-school program that helps kids and teens stay on reading level and return to school better prepared to learn,” said Library Director Lee Burchfield. “This annual tradition reaches nearly 50,000 children in the Metro area, helping to create a habit and love of reading.”
For more information, or to register for Summer Reading, visit LFPL.org/SummerReading or call (502) 574-1611.
