The Covington, KY arts organization will award $60,000 annually to visual artists for new projects, made possible by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
The Carnegie is thrilled to announce the launch of the Passage Fund, a new initiative supporting experimental projects, emerging voices, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across Cincinnati and Kentucky.
The Passage Fund will distribute $60,000 annually to visual artists living in Cincinnati and Kentucky. Artists can apply for support to develop new projects and move ideas from early development into production and public engagement. The fund is open to artists working across disciplines and encourages proposals that bring new perspectives and approaches
to the region’s arts community.
The application, FAQs, and additional information can be found at PassageFund.org.
“The Passage Fund is an opportunity to invest in artists and support ambitious, experimental, and publicly engaged projects at an early stage.” says Sso-Rha Kang, Exhibitions Director for The Carnegie. “It allows artists to build meaningful connections with their communities while contributing to a broader regional network. We are excited to continue our mission of being a resource for and connecting artists across Kentucky and Cincinnati.”
The Passage Fund serves to further the Carnegie’s mission of amplifying the diverse voices of regional artists, and is looking for projects that demonstrate risk-taking, artistic exploration and experimentation.
Applications open November 1, 2026, and close January 15, 2027. Passage Fund information sessions will be held in various cities across Northern Kentucky including Covington, Frankfurt, Lexington, and Louisville.
Session 1: October 13, 6:00 p.m., Covington KY, The Carnegie
Session 2: October 17, 1:00 p.m., Frankfurt KY, Josephine Sculpture Park
Session 3: November 5, 6:00 p.m., Louisville KY, KMAC Contemporary Art Museum
Session 4: November 12, 6:00 p.m., Lexington KY, Institute 193
Session 5: November 17, 6:00 p.m., (Virtual)
Grantees will be notified on March 15, 2027, with funds being dispersed on March 31, 2027.
The Passage Fund serves: Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Louisville, Lexington and Frankfort. Eligible lead artists must be residents of the following counties: Hamilton, Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Jefferson, Fayette and Franklin county.
The Passage Fund is made possible by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program: an innovative and flexible grants program. Participation in the Regranting Program, established in 2007, is by invitation only with each partner developing their own program to suit the needs and identity of the region. The Carnegie joins a network
of 41 other program partners providing catalyzing funds for artists to create new projects that activate their communities.
“The Carnegie’s Passage Fund offers an exciting new opportunity for direct support to artists,” says Rachael Parker, Director of Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking for ArtsWave and MeetNKY. “Initiatives like this are so important in attracting and retaining creative talent in the region. The Carnegie is a singular destination for driving the arts forward in the Greater Cincinnati Region.“