When I start talking about the arts renaissance and list cool things I’ve seen or heard about, the most common reaction is “Wow, I had no idea!” Although there’s so much to do in Louisville when it comes to the arts, a lot of folks might have trouble finding out what those things are. This guide is not the exhaustive, absolutely comprehensive place to find everything arts-related in Louisville (yet!) but it’ll get you started on the right path by giving you some tools to discover events on your own no matter your budget.

Where do I start?

The best way to find out about arts events is to find reliable sources of news that interest you and follow them in one or two central places. For me, that’s Twitter, since it’s the social media platform I use most often. Since that’s limited to short and sweet summaries, I also subscribe to the email lists of a few organizations I like. For others, it might mean liking Facebook pages, following Instagrams, supporting local news organizations, or signing up for mailing lists.

Start with some of the resources listed below, and if you keep seeing events at specific locations you’re really into, follow those locations too!

Do502

Do502 is run by Louisville Public Media, and lists all kinds of local events and happenings. You can search by date, check out their list of free events, or their guides to various topics. There’s not a dedicated guide to the arts in Louisville, but the rainy day guide includes a list of museums and galleries, and the seasonal section lists current events by occasion.

You can follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

LEO Weekly’s Things to Do

The LEO’s “Things to Do in Louisville” columns are a curated and usually brief list of local highlights. I like keeping up with this because there’s the week-long Things to Do Under $5 list, and a broader Things to Do This Weekend offering each week. Although (like Do502) these aren’t only for the arts, the LEO does a great job of featuring smaller shows and some of the more off-the-wall miscellaneous events around town.  Check their concert calendar for shows, too.

There’s no dedicated social media for this feature, but find LEO Weekly on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Local News

We’re lucky to have excellent news sources in Louisville with dedicated arts/culture/music sections. These will include upcoming event announcements along with a broader range of relevant content, like reviews, interviews, season announcements, and more.

Here’s some of my favorites:

• WFPL’s Arts and Culture section
  • WUOL is the partner classical station
  • WFPK is the partner music station, and has its own event calendar
• LEO Weekly’s Arts and Music sections
  • Print editions of the LEO are also free and available at various locations around town.
• Insider Louisville’s Culture section, including Arts and Music
• Arts Louisville
• Courier Journal Entertainment section
  • The CJ offers a limited selection of free articles, but consider a digital or paper subscription if you’re able

As you find your own preferred news sources, following individual reporters can be an extra resource. Some publications will include Twitter handles in the author bios at the end of an article. I’ve discovered other local reporters, arts professionals, and cool local people through my favorite reporters’ retweets and interactions.

Also, if you like the what any of these people do, consider supporting them through donations, subscriptions, or even just sending a little “Thanks!” email to a reporter who you think did great work.

What’s holding you back?

Before we get to what there is to do, I’d like to note some limitations of this list.

Currently, the bulk of the information here centers things that take place between or around UofL and downtown, both because a lot of arts events happen there, and that’s the area I know best since I have lived and worked for the last seven years. If your barriers also include inadequate transportation, or disability-friendly access, this guide will not be enough or as useful as it is to folks who do not have those same concerns. When I publish articles on arts access and other barriers, I’ll link those, too.

No money, no problem.

The Louisville Free Public Library hosts events, exhibits, multiple festivals, local playlists on their music streaming service, plus the ability to check out all kinds of books, music, and other media. You can even check out telescopes. Basically, there’s too much just to summarize and there’s always something new going on at all of the locations. Follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube, and check out their podcast and blog. Libraries take community feedback too, so if there’s a program you’d like to see, reach out!

If you’re looking for more book-related stuff, Carmichael’s Bookstore hosts free author readings. (If you’ve got money to spend, pick up a book or twelve while you’re there.) Louisville Literary Arts hosts a mixture of paid and free events including author readings, plus the Writers Block Festival in the fall.

When the weather’s good, the Louisville Downtown Partnership’s Alley Gallery series makes for a great companion to a biking or walking route, killing time before another event, or motivation to explore the city. For a (slightly) more expansive look at where you can find free, public art, check out my own interactive public art map.

When I worked downtown, customers (usually visitors staying at the hotel next door) at my restaurant would ask me what there was to do nearby. Every single time, my first suggestion was 21c and the KMAC Museum: they’re both free, amazing museums that are right across the street from one another. Plus, it’s impossible to miss the giant David statue that stands at 7th and Main. The KMAC is open until 6pm most days, and 21c is always open, since the museum portion of the building doubles as lobby for the hotel above. Being smaller, you can see all the artwork in a relatively short time, making it a nice stop between other activities downtown – but often the exhibits are so good you’ll want to take your time with them. Both offer other free events like workshops or concerts, including the KMAC’s twice-monthly poetry slams.

Speaking of museums, the Speed Museum has free admission on Sundays, and UofL students always get in free. They host the After Hours parties on the third Friday of every month, which cost $15 for non-members or $10 for students, older kids, military, and seniors. The Speed also hosts a range of other events, some of which are free, so check their calendar. And while you’re on UofL’s campus, consider going next door to the basement of Ekstrom Library, where there’s usually a public exhibit or two up in the Archives and Special Collections area.

If your speed is more musical, WFPK’s Waterfront (and Winter) Wednesdays are free concerts held at Waterfront Park next to the walking bridge. They also host Live Lunch, free performances held every Friday, although seating is limited.

The University of Louisville School of Music also hosts free (and some paid) concerts featuring students, faculty, and/or non-university visiting performers.

Kentucky Shakespeare is the oldest outdoor free Shakespeare festival in the country, and their season now includes three months of main programming, including collaborations with the Louisville Ballet and other local theaters, plus a free touring show to parks across the entire city. Performances usually include pre-show programming, food trucks, and activities for kids.

What won’t break the bank

As a rule, smaller independent venues are going to offer a range of cheaper options as compared to some of the larger and older institutions in Louisville. (For example, a show at Headliners is probably cheaper than at the Yum! Center; the Humana Festival at Actors will cost you more than the Ten-Tucky Festival at The Bard’s Town.) While you’re waiting on my follow up article compiling every venue in town, try checking the website, social media, or window signs of bars, restaurants, and community spaces near you.

Community centers like Metro Arts Center and Shawnee Community Center offer community oriented classes and programs for free or at relatively low cost. Look for community centers near you to see what’s available!

Theater tickets for UofL productions typically costs $20, or $15 with a discount, including shows by the African-American Theatre Program, the only African-American theatre graduate program in the region. Bellarmine shows will only run you $10 (or $7 for students). Sometimes there will be additional performances by students outside of the main season, which may cost less due to their smaller scale. (Disclosure: I volunteered in UofL’s costume shop and have been on the theater major email list ever since, which is my only reliably consistent source on some of these smaller shows.)

On that note, local high school theater productions typically have inexpensive tickets, and come with the added benefit of supporting youth arts programs in your community.

If you’re under 35, Actors Theater offers a 6-play season ticket package at a considerable discount, especially if you choose an option earlier in the week. They offer discounts for seniors and educators at both the 6 and 8 ticket package, plus a community grant program for non-profits.

The Louisville Ballet also offers discounted young adult (18-25 years old) tickets for $20, although they’re only available in person in the month before each performance.

Tickets for the Chamber Society of Louisville concerts are typically $40, but the student price is only $5 per concert or just $15 for a subscription to all five.