KMAC Contemporary Art Museum — Attraction in Louisville

KMAC Museum (previously known as the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft) is an American museum located in the West Main District of downtown Louisville, Kentucky, which "explores the relationship between art and craft by identifying art as big ideas and craft as the intersection between process, materials and labor."[1] It is a nonprofit organization supported in part by the Fund for the Arts and Kentucky Arts Council, as well as many public and private donors.

History Founded in 1981 by Phyllis George Brown, then First Lady of Kentucky and former Miss America, the Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation was started to build interest in Kentucky's rich craft and art resources.[2] With the help of Mary Shands, the start of the center began with ease.

In 1984 the organization moved into the lower level of a West Main Street building to have more space for things like a gift shop.[2] When the move occurred the west district of downtown Louisville had low occupancy rates for the buildings. The location of several museums like the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft helped revitalize this area of downtown.

Since 1984 the organization has presented hundreds of exhibitions, reaching approximately 100,000 viewers and students annually. By 1991 the Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation has tried to be a leader in the community of preserving Kentucky's heritage in its arts and crafts. It has held several promotion events to help improve its goal.

Over ten years ago the organization recognized the importance of including educational programming as part of their mission. In 1990 the state's educational system had been restructured resulting in the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA).[3] The museum's educational programs are tightly connected to the KERA goals of combining art education with other subjects such as history, social studies, mathematics and language arts. Over the years, their educational programming has expanded and its focus has continued to increase their work with schools in Jefferson County and throughout the state.

In January 2001, the organization purchased two adjacent buildings on West Main Street in the heart of Louisville's West Main Street Historic District.[citation needed] Built in the 1880s the building is a four-story cast iron structure with a pastel facade and giant windows. After renovation, the facility provides the organization with 28,500 square feet (2,650 m2) of interior space in which to operate, spread over four floors and a lower level.

The new facility increased the size and visibility of the Gallery Shop, with frontage on Main Street, and houses three exhibition galleries: the Steve Wilson Gallery, the Mary & Al Shands Gallery, and the Lindy & Bill Street Gallery.[citation needed] The Lindy & Bill Street Gallery, on the second floor overlooking Main Street, is rented for meetings and entertaining. The third floor houses the Education Center as well as a small south facing gallery and the fourth floor is used for administrative offices.

The museum is in close proximity to the Kentucky Science Center, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Frazier History Museum and the Muhammad Ali Center, which gives the nickname of the area as...

There is no doubt that this museum is a small, yet mighty collection of rotating exhibits with a small permanent collection. Most importantly is the absolutely dedicated staff. Not just the publicly facing team (which is fantastic!!), but the team behind the scenes fighting to ensure that Kentuckians have access to top quality and thought provoking contemporary art. Thank you for your hard work!

However, as a lifelong Kentuckian from the Jackson Purchase, I can't help but use this opportunity to lobby for an idea I've had in the back of my head since staying at the 21c years ago. That stay completely blew me away and introduced me to the world of modern/contemporary art. Living near Paducah, I can see a huge opportunity that I fear will pass us by if our Commonwealth's art world leaders continue to turn their backs to our neck of the woods.

Paducah, with our wealth of folk and fiber arts, has been internationally recognized by UNESCO, since 2013, as a UNESCO Creative City in the field of crafts and folk art. That is not an insignificant designation.

However, we need more, because we deserve more. Not every museum should be plopped in Louisville, out of reach of thousands, frankly millions of folks living within easy reach of Paducah. I look at something like MassMOCA with a mixture of awe and a bit of envy. If they can do that there, with our abundance of possible locations near or in the historic downtown and the art filled lower town, combined with our Smithsonian affiliated National Quilt Museum, why can we not get our own state's attention and...

I absolutely loved KMAC. I wish I could go back!

My friends and I were out-of-towners visiting from up north for a conference in the city, and this museum was one of the only places we could find open on a Sunday before flying out. I'm so glad we found it. The ultimate museum aesthetic and feel- so warm and cozy and friendly. All the art was, of course, beautiful and thought-provoking. Even the coffee was absolutely delicious and made on the spot. My friends and I stayed here for a good while just chatting and hanging out in the lobby after viewing the pieces. The employees on the ground floor were highly knowledgeable and so kind and relaxed. They made us feel welcomed and comfortable. You could tell right away that they absolutely were passionate about the arts. On top of all this, admission was free! I still keep my pamphlets and stickers that I got here, and if I ever come back to Louisville I will 100% stop by. I'm sure my friends would...