Arts and Culture in Kentucky’s I-71 Corridor

The area between Louisville and Cincinnati is filled with rich, historical culture and artistic talent.

The Arts & Culture Alliance (ACA) is a dedicated network that represents the arts and cultural organizations of Kentucky’s I-71 Corridor. Members collaborate to create a vision of integrating arts and culture in the community. When people come together, with elements of blending and harmonizing, communities grow stronger.

Local arts find creative ways to share their passion with community members. Whether it's an art show to showcase an artist’s portraits, pottery, and quilting or a live performance at the Carroll Arts Center, there is plenty of art and historical learning just outside of Cincinnati and Lexington.

Gallatin County

Gallatin County’s own local treasure, the Gallatin County Historical Society, strives to preserve the history and educate others about its notable history. Founded in 1972, the Historical Society is led by proud Society Officers, including the president, vice president, treasurer, and members of the board of directors.

The Riverside Inn Bed & Breakfast is one of the Top Ten Romantic Inns in the World. The inn is steeped in history, originally built in 1969 and recently renovated and expanded, keeping its beautiful charm.

Thanks to the members of the Gallatin County Historical Society, the Old Warsaw Cemetery has been rehabilitated. Historical society members worked to repair and preserve all details of the cemetery.

Warsaw is the County Seat of Gallatin County, and the Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Warsaw offers a rich and meaningful walking tour of Warsaw’s oldest buildings, including a variety of churches, the county jail, and the county courthouse. Each building has deep roots in Gallatin County and tells a memorable story.

Henry County

The Henry County Arts & Crafts Guild is a group of art enthusiasts who gather to celebrate local artists and share talents with the community. Art enthusiasts share their diverse projects and creations, including portraits, pottery, and woodworking.

A visit to Henry County’s Ye Olde History Shoppe, you can purchase a variety of resources to learn more about the history of the county, including famous residents and noteworthy buildings.

The Theatre Downstream is a local performing arts association that showcases local talent of all ages, through theater camps, plays, artistic opportunities, and family friendly theater performances.

Oldham County

Supported by the Oldham County Board of Education, the Oldham County Schools Arts Center provides arts and cultural opportunities to nurture its students and the community at large. They are home to the School for the Arts, Arts Academy, Community and Adult Education Program, Oldham County Resource Center, and many community arts organizations and artist residencies -- creating a hub for specialized instruction that capitalizes on the wealth of talent coming from Oldham and surrounding counties. Concerts and events are also presented the entire year.

The Arts Association of Oldham County is a membership-based program created to encourage and bring awareness in the arts, while providing art opportunities for youth and adults, as well as operating Gallery 104 on historic Main Street in La Grange. Art enthusiasts will enjoy Arts on the Green, an outdoor juried art festival showcasing more than 150 artists from across the region, attracting approximately 10,000 visitors each year. The Oldham Arts Fall Show displays local artists and celebrates the unique talents of the area.

The Oldham County History Center Campus in La Grange has 3 facilities, the Peyton Samuel Head Museum, the J. Chilton Barnett Archives and the Rob Morris Chapel Educational Building. The Center is located on Main Street & 2nd by the Oldham County Courthouse Square and is home to two Underground Railroad designations by the National Park Service Network to Freedom, one being the only Archives designation in U.S. In 2021, the History Center will install the outdoor life-sized Road Warrior Sculpture featuring WWII Marine Veteran and Oldham County Native, Dr. E. Bruce Heilman on his marine-issue Harley Davidson, by sculptor Wyatt Gragg.

Owen County

The Owen County Arts Council incorporates numerous opportunities for its community to explore the arts. The Owen County Quilt Trail and Owen County Agricultural Heritage Trail offer a unique glimpse into the history of the area’s rich farming tradition.

Owen County’s own Historic Museum and Research Center, located in Owenton, is a wealth of history, including old photos, donated artifacts, and family histories of the local people.

Each June, the Owen County Tourism Commission and Arts Council partner to host Mayberry Day on the courthouse square. The daylong event includes classic cars and trucks, food, arts and crafts, music, and kids’ activities.