Kentucky Performing Arts (KPA) is the nucleus for performing arts and entertainment in Louisville. Hosting over 400,000 visitors annually for Broadway in Louisville performances, Louisville Orchestra concerts, headlining entertainers and more, the organization is also a big proponent of Kentucky’s cultural and economic growth, contributing millions to the local economy, as well as an advocate for arts education with programs like the Governor’s School for the Arts. KPA champions accessibility, nurtures young talent, and strengthens communities through artistic expression.
KPA owns and oversees The Kentucky Center, Brown Theatre, and Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, which all host a variety of performances each year under the direction of CEO Kim Baker. Kim was in the first class of the Governor’s School for the Arts. She also received her Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky’s College of Fine Arts and has navigated the group through its many peaks and valleys since 2014.
The Kentucky Center opened in November of 1983 under the direction of Gov. John Y. Brown and a combined project budget from the state as well as local donors. Brown was quoted as saying there hasn’t been a more productive investment by the state than that of the arts center. He might be correct!
Over the years, The Kentucky Center has been the anchor for the arts and home to the major productions of Broadway in Louisville, the magical concerts of the Louisville Orchestra, the elegance of the Louisville Ballet and some of the biggest names in music, comedy, and entertainment. The Kentucky Center has hosted world leaders, presidential debates, and town halls on its stages. For 40 years, the flagship venue has proven to have been a great investment for the community, the city of Louisville and the entire commonwealth.
Looking back over the years, memories were made that will last a lifetime. We caught up with some friends of The Kentucky Center to find out what they love about the venue, as well as some of their favorite memories.
Kentucky Performing Arts is known for hosting a variety of electrifying performances — from marquee musicians and comedians, to the touring shows of PNC Broadway in Louisville, not mention our own nationally renowned arts groups such as the Louisville Orchestra, Kentucky Opera, Louisville Ballet and StageOne Family Theatre.
When COVID hit last year, the team was forced to deal with a second disaster in just a couple years, the first being a fire that damaged the roof and lobby of its flagship venue, The Kentucky Center.
During a time when the venues are quiet and dark, Audience publisher, G. Douglas Dreisbach, caught up with KPA’s President & CEO, Kim Baker, as she navigates her team through these tough times.
Kentucky Performing Arts’ family of venues are the primary performance spaces for several major art groups in Louisville, including PNC Broadway in Louisville, Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Ballet and more. The KPA venues are The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, the Brown Theatre and Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville’s newest, state-of-the-art performance venue.
KPA venues are currently closed due to the COVID-19 social distancing protocols. Audience publisher, Douglas Dreisbach, caught up with KPA President and CEO, Kim Baker, to see how they are doing amid the current situation. This interview was also featured in the April edition of Audience Magazine.
Kentucky Performing Arts (KPA) is the nucleus for performing arts and entertainment in Louisville. Hosting over 400,000 visitors annually for Broadway in Louisville performances, Louisville Orchestra concerts, headlining entertainers and more, the organization is also a big proponent of Kentucky’s cultural and economic growth, contributing millions to the local economy, as well as an advocate for arts education with programs like the Governor’s School for the Arts. KPA champions accessibility, nurtures young talent, and strengthens communities through artistic expression.
