Mayor Linda Gorton today announced the recipients of the 250Lex Cultural Grants, a program designed to fund projects that will be part of the year-long celebration of Lexington’s 250 th anniversary in 2025.

“2025 is going to be a historic year for our city, and I am excited to have a group of talented and diverse organizations to help us bring 250Lex to life,” Mayor Linda Gorton said.

The grant program was designed to help Lexington residents produce high quality, meaningful programming that focuses on tourism; broadening and diversifying participation and engagement among residents and visitors in the anniversary; showcasing Lexington’s businesses, people, cultural, or social organizations; or creating meaningful events that will continue beyond 2025.

“Over the next year, these grant recipients will create programming that honors the cultural and historical significance of Lexington’s past and present, and looks forward to the future,” Gorton said.

The 250Lex Commission received a total of 88 applications with requests for over $1.3 million in funding. Eighteen organizations were awarded grants, totaling over $300,000.

Recipients include Lexington-Fayette County residents and local non-profit organizations, such as galleries, museums, and arts and cultural groups.

Co-Chair Kip Cornett said, “The community grants underscore the goals of the 250Lex effort to create interesting, inclusive, and memorable programming to make 2025 an unforgettable year for everyone in our community.”

Co-Chair Eunice Beatty said, “Awarding these cultural grants are a significant first step in the early stages of planning for a fun, successful year. We are excited to have the community’s interest and support in creating a year of acknowledgement and celebration.”

Grant awards range from $5,000 – $20,000. Recipients will receive their first payment by September 1.

List of awarded organizations/individuals:

A Sense of Place

Kentucky Humanities

Allegro Dance Project

Bluegrass Youth Ballet

Mary Todd Lincoln House

Keeneland Library Foundation

Christine Kuhn

Marafiki Center

Greenroom Exchange

Lexington Children’s Theatre

Faulkner-Morgan Archive

Carnegie Center

Black Yarn

M’Power Rhythm

Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra

OperaLex

Casa de le Cultura

Jeff Hoagland