Cultural Partnerships
Few communities of Louisville’s size are as rich in arts and cultural resources. CCHS fosters partnerships to support these resources through events, research and internships.
The region's arts, cultural and heritage organizations are key to our area's quality of life. Part of the Commonwealth Center for Humanities and Society's (CCHS's) mission is to foster mutually beneficial relationships that support these resources and enhance learning and research opportunities for University of Louisville faculty and students. To accomplish this goal, we facilitate access and collaboration between community partners and people at UofL.
Activities range from speaker exchanges and annual symposia to workshops, internships and research projects. CCHS also helped launch a new statewide consortium, The Humanities as the Common Wealth of Kentucky (HCWK), which connects humanities programs across Kentucky’s public universities to support shared initiatives and community engagement.
The Humanities as the Common Wealth of Kentucky
Founded in 2024, HCWK is a consortium of humanities centers and departments across Kentucky’s public universities. Its creation was supported by a Membership Activity Fund Grant from the Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes (CHCI), awarded to Mary P. Sheridan (CCHS director), Pamela Beattie and Simona Bertacco (Department of Comparative Humanities) for their proposal. HCWK is the first coordinated effort of its kind in Kentucky and one of only six projects worldwide to receive this grant, alongside institutions such as Amherst College and the University of Western Cape. The consortium brings together partners from Northern Kentucky University, Morehead State, Eastern Kentucky, University of Kentucky, Kentucky State, Western Kentucky and UofL to foster collaborative humanities initiatives that prepare career-ready student citizens, celebrate Kentucky’s culture and strengthen community engagement across the commonwealth.
Current Partnerships
Five 19th-century warehouses live on as more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space where curated exhibitions and site-specific installations reflect the global nature of contemporary culture. Our galleries are open every day and exhibitions rotate, so make plans to visit often and be sure to take advantage of regular cultural programming, too.
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization dedicated to furthering the artistry, accessibility and professional opportunities within modern and contemporary dance. Using a collaborative creative process, our work is interdisciplinary in nature, combining dance, theatre, visual arts and multimedia to create works that touch on social issues and the human condition.
Crane House, The China Institute, Inc. opened in 1987 in the Old Louisville neighborhood. The institute promotes cultural understanding among the peoples of the United States and Asia through educational programs, cultural exchanges and exhibitions.
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is a private, non-profit educational and recreational nature preserve with 14,500 acres of natural land. Bernheim conducts research in science, natural habitats, horticulture, animal behavior, regenerative design and the environment.
The Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center serves as a hub for the arts, culture and history in Southern Indiana. They offer innovative exhibitions, programs and services that encourage artistic growth, exploration and learning.
Visit the Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center website
Chartered by the General Assembly of Kentucky on February 5, 1848, for the purpose of operating a rural cemetery. Cave Hill was dedicated in July of that year and the transition of Cave Hill Farm into a beautiful and historic cemetery began.
The Louisville Commission on Public Art advocates for art in spaces accessible to the public, promotes visual art in these spaces and conserves existing public art. To have a profound reach, Louisville's public art program must contribute to the legacy of visual art locally, nationally and internationally.
Culbertson Mansion built in 1867 was the home of William Culbertson, once the richest man in Indiana. It is a historic site that represents the tastes, ideals and lifestyle of people during the late 1800s.
The state park features an architecturally intriguing Interpretive center that reflects the layers of history at the Falls of the Ohio. Exhibits inside flow through Earth's history, focusing how this river crossroads shaped the America we know today.
Farmington is a 19th-century home and former hemp plantation. The historic home, completed in 1816, is located on 18 acres in the heart of Jefferson County. Farmington provides the community with a fun, family-friendly environment to learn about Louisville's rich history and life on a 19th-century farm through preservation, exhibitions and education.
The Filson Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving and telling the significant stories of Kentucky and the Ohio Valley history and culture. More than 12,000 people visit the society annually to conduct research, attend programs and tour the museum.
The Frazier History Museum brings history to life every day through exhibits, artifacts and live performances. The Frazier tells the stories that matter most to Kentucky, igniting the human spirit and allowing visitors a chance to experience history along the way.
Locust Grove is a National Historic Landmark on 55 acres established by William and Lucy Clark Croghan in 1790. It tells the story of George Rogers Clark, early Kentucky history, western expansion and everyday life on the frontier.
The Jewish Community Center (JCC) is committed to the preservation and enrichment of Jewish and Israeli culture through educational programs, concerts, lectures, films, music, theatre, literature and exhibitions that enhance Jewish life, celebrate diversity and promote multicultural dialogue and understanding.
The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage (KCAAH) speaks with the unique voice of the African-American people of our community. The center hosts exhibitions, cultural and educational programs and lectures and promotes research and scholarship.
The Kentucky Derby Museum is one of the premiere attractions in the Louisville region, celebrating the tradition, history, hospitality and pride of the world-renowned event that is the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Historical Society, originally established in 1836 as a private organization, is an agency of the Kentucky state government that "collects, preserves, conserves, interprets and shares information, memories and materials from Kentucky's past to assist those interested in exploring and preserving that heritage."
KMAC is a nonprofit organization established in 1981 to promote the rich art and craft heritage of Kentucky through exhibition, education and support of artists through a retail gallery shop.
The Library's mission is to provide the people of Louisville and Jefferson County with the broadest possible access to knowledge, ideas and information and to support them in their pursuit of learning.
Louisville Public Media is an independent, community supported not-for-profit corporation serving our Louisville metropolitan area with three distinct public radio stations and a newly established investigative reporting unit.
Since 1909 the Louisville Visual Art has engaged artists and audiences through education, community outreach, artist support and exhibitions. Programs nurture creative expression and stimulate dialogue, enhancing contemporary culture and community spirit.
The Louisville Zoological Gardens is dedicated to its mission to "Better the Bond Between People and Our Planet" by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors and leadership in conservation education.
The Muhammad Ali Center serves as a cultural attraction and international education center inspired by the ideals of its founder, Muhammad Ali. The center emphasizes Ali's six core values: respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and spirituality.
The museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the educational history of blind people and the historic contributions of the American Printing House for the Blind for the benefit of the visually impaired, educators and the broader community.
Visit the Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind website
The Portland Museum is an educational resources that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets the culture and heritage of Portland, once an independent town below the Falls of the Ohio. The museum also owns and is restoring the Earick House, a ca. 1811 heavy timber frame residence that is important to Portland's history.
The Farnsley-Moremen House is the centerpiece of this 300-acre historic site. Visitors can tour the historic house and grounds, view ongoing archaeological excavations, see the kitchen garden and cruise on a riverboat from a landing.
Established in 1927, the Speed Art Museum is Kentucky's oldest and largest art museum with over 13,000 pieces in its permanent collection. Its extensive collection spans 6,000 years, ranging from ancient Egyptian to contemporary art.
Established in 1993, the Waterfront Botanical Gardens was started by Botanica, an umbrella organization for the local gardening community that was started to help enlighten, entertain and educate the community about the botanical world. Their goal is to plant seeds and grow minds for more sustainable cities.