IKT, the International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art, holds its 2022 annual gathering in the U.S. city of Louisville, Kentucky. One of the first cities to be established west of the Appalachian Mountains, the river city of Louisville has become popularly known as the birthplace of Muhammad Ali and the home of the Kentucky Derby. Like most American cities, however, Louisville has historically struggled with issues of systemic racism and poverty, and the murder of Breonna Taylor in 2020, and the ensuing public protests, have brought the city to international attention. It is a context that has called the region to draw upon its established creative traditions to craft a critical and imaginative response to issues of race, difference, and diversity.
Exploring this vital and active visual arts region, the congress will also visit the neighbouring cities of Lexington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio. The program will include visits to important museums and exhibition spaces in each city, as well as visits to artists’ studios, art school facilities and two significant private contemporary art collections. The main public event of the Congress is the symposium “Global Appalachia,” which will bring together a diverse range of artists, writers, and curators to consider ideas and concerns of place and home in a regional and global context.
IKT Congress 2022 is being hosted by KMAC Museum of Louisville and is supported by Great Meadows Foundation.
Featured Venues
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Kentucky College of Art + Design
Built in 1883, the High Victorian Gothic house, which is now home to the Kentucky College of Art + Design, will host a welcome reception for IKT Congress Delegates.
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21C Museum Hotel - Louisville
Founded by Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, the museum hotel features curated exhibitions, commissioned site-specific installations, and regular cultural programming.
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University of Kentucky Art Museum
The UK Art Museum promotes the understanding and appreciation of art from diverse cultures and historical periods, providing meaningful encounters for audiences of all ages.
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Institute 193
Founded in 2009, Institute 193 embraces the notion that ground-breaking contemporary art can and does emerge outside of large metropolitan centers.
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21C Museum Hotel - Lexington
Founded by Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, the museum hotel features curated exhibitions, commissioned site-specific installations, and regular cultural programming.
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Lexington Art League
The Lexington Art League creates opportunities for Lexington area artists and those who appreciate their work.
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Josephine Sculpture Park
Founding director and artist Melanie Van Houten established the non-profit Josephine Sculpture Park (JSP) in 2009. JSP features over 80 ever changing sculptures across 30-acres.
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KMAC Museum
KMAC is a contemporary art museum in downtown Louisville. Through exhibitions, education, and outreach, KMAC works to fulfill their mission of connecting people to art and creative practice.
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Moremen Gallery
MOREMEN GALLERY was founded by art enthusiast and collector Susan Moremen. The gallery’s focus is a continually evolving selection of contemporary art by emerging and mid-career artists.
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Cressman Center
The mission of the Cressman Center for Visual Arts is to educate, engage and excite the community through the visual arts.
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Acme Studios
ACME Artworks is an art infrastructure hub, providing services and continuing education to enrich and grow Louisville’s diverse Art Community.
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Great Meadows
Outside Louisville, Kentucky, lies Great Meadows, the home of contemporary art collector and philanthropist Al Shands (1928-2021).
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LVA
LVA, a creative hub, is dedicated to encouraging artists through programming such as Children’s Fine Art Classes, MAP, Art Talks with LVA, Open Studio Louisville, outreach programs and weekly calls for artists.
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Portland Studios
Portland Studios offer studio space for MFA students and faculty focusing on ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, book arts, and design.
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Weston Gallery
One of the most sought-after exhibition venues in the region, the Cincinnati Arts Association’s Weston Art Gallery is acclaimed for its eclectic mix of emerging and professional artists presented in museum-quality environs in the heart of downtown Cincinnati’s restaurant and theater district.
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21C Museum Hotel - Cincinnati
Founded by Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, the Museum Hotel features curated exhibitions, commissioned site-specific installations, and regular cultural programming at each location.
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Carnegie Center Covington
The Carnegie is an award-winning multidisciplinary arts venue featuring performances, installations and events.
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Hermitage Farm
Hermitage Farm celebrates Kentucky’s unique agricultural heritage and the signature industries that make us a place like nowhere else.