The University of Kentucky is preparing to embark on one of the most transformative arts and cultural development projects in its history after the Board of Trustees accepted a landmark $150 million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation. The contribution — the largest ever received by the institution — will fund the creation of a new, integrated arts district on the western edge of the Lexington campus.
The vision calls for a major reimagining of the South Broadway corridor, adding new energy to an area that blends campus life with an increasingly active section of the city. According to university officials, the arts district will feature a new College of Fine Arts building positioned near the Gray Design Building, along with a multi-hundred-seat performance theater dedicated to dance, music, and stage productions. A new pavilion and landscaped park will create a connective public space linking South Broadway to Bolivar Street, enhancing access to the School of Art and Visual Studies (SA/VS) Building.
“This gift will realize a vision to create an arts district on the western edge of our campus,” UK President Eli Capilouto said in a press release. “There, we can integrate art into an area of Lexington that is an increasingly vibrant and vital intersection of campus and city, town and gown.”
Before construction can begin, the university will need authorization from the Kentucky General Assembly to issue bonds. Discussions with state lawmakers are already underway, with the legislature scheduled to reconvene in January for the 2026 session.
Gatton, who passed away in 2022, remains one of the university’s most influential benefactors. His philanthropic support totals more than $200 million, helping shape signature facilities and programs including the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; the Gatton College of Business and Economics; and the Gatton Student Center.
State leaders from both parties praised the historic donation and its potential statewide impact. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said the gift “will help not only the university but also Lexington and Kentucky, as it creates a vibrant, welcoming arts district for students, Kentuckians and visitors to enjoy.”
“Education and the arts fuel our economy and our workforce, and investments like these are how we keep working to build a bright future for generations,” Beshear added.
Republican legislative leaders echoed the support. Senate President Robert Stivers said he was eager to move the project forward, noting, “I’m anxious to authorize bonds so that construction can begin quickly. This expansion may be the impetus for more students pursuing a fine arts degree and perhaps working in the film industry, a growing industry made possible by Senate Bill 1 of the 2025 session.”
House Speaker David Osborne said Gatton’s “extraordinary generosity has transformed lives across Kentucky, and today’s historic gift continues that legacy.”
“His vision for education, community and the arts reflects the very best of our Commonwealth’s values,” Osborne said. “It celebrates our incredible heritage and makes way for an even more promising future. This arts district will not only enrich the University of Kentucky, but will also strengthen Lexington and our entire state.”
With state approval pending, planning and design for the arts district are expected to accelerate over the coming months. University leaders say the project will not only enhance creative learning spaces but also reshape the campus gateway with new public amenities, performance venues, and cultural assets that broaden Lexington’s appeal as an arts destination.
Originally reported by
McKenna Horsley in Kentucky Lantern.
