Many in the greater Louisville area have the opportunity of becoming a tourist, in your hometown. The cultural pass program is back to give local kids a chance to see different art and culture sites around Louisville.After COVID-19 closed the door on the opportunity last year, the pass is back for its seventh year with 51 participating organizations.”We welcome our children and families to free admission during the summer months, to our arts, culture, heritage, history venues, and more,” said Christen Boone, president & CEO of Fund for the Arts.As the city continues its push to welcome diversity, Mayor Greg Fischer went to the Louisville free public library to announce this program is working to level the playing field.”It fills what we call the experience gap,” said Fischer. “Oftentimes young people from under-invested communities don’t have the means to go to the science center, or go to an art museum, or go to locust grove. We want to remove all of those financial barriers.”Leaders behind the program believe, in addition to being able to serve the entertainment needs for kids this summer, this program will also be able to provide an educational component.”It’s a great opportunity to take the children’s learning, and reading and bring that experience to life,” said Barbara Lynne Jamison, chairwoman for the Arts and Culture Alliance. “We know that that solidifies learning and reading in real ways.”After a school year where many kids suffered academically, this is providing the added step needed to prevent a summer slide.However, to add on to the work the cultural pass will do, the library is providing a 10-week summer reading program. The goal is to work to combat the challenges the community has been struggling with.”There are not enough kids prepared to succeed when they start first grade,” said Lee Burchfield, director of the Louisville Free Public Library. “There are not enough kids reading at grade level by third grade, not enough kids completing high school because too many dropping out. It’s just critically important to kids that they not fall behind during the summer months.”Fischer believes providing these two opportunities is the city’s way of making sure no one falls through the cracks.Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 Cultural Pass Committee has created three models for venues to participate. Venues can apply to participate in all three models.In-person general admission at participating venuesVirtual programsCultural Pass Days, which are outdoor events at locations across Greater Louisville. Venues may provide activity booths and/or stage performances/activities
Many in the greater Louisville area have the opportunity of becoming a tourist, in your hometown. The cultural pass program is back to give local kids a chance to see different art and culture sites around Louisville.
After COVID-19 closed the door on the opportunity last year, the pass is back for its seventh year with 51 participating organizations.
“We welcome our children and families to free admission during the summer months, to our arts, culture, heritage, history venues, and more,” said Christen Boone, president & CEO of Fund for the Arts.
As the city continues its push to welcome diversity, Mayor Greg Fischer went to the Louisville free public library to announce this program is working to level the playing field.
“It fills what we call the experience gap,” said Fischer. “Oftentimes young people from under-invested communities don’t have the means to go to the science center, or go to an art museum, or go to locust grove. We want to remove all of those financial barriers.”
Leaders behind the program believe, in addition to being able to serve the entertainment needs for kids this summer, this program will also be able to provide an educational component.
“It’s a great opportunity to take the children’s learning, and reading and bring that experience to life,” said Barbara Lynne Jamison, chairwoman for the Arts and Culture Alliance. “We know that that solidifies learning and reading in real ways.”
After a school year where many kids suffered academically, this is providing the added step needed to prevent a summer slide.
However, to add on to the work the cultural pass will do, the library is providing a 10-week summer reading program. The goal is to work to combat the challenges the community has been struggling with.
“There are not enough kids prepared to succeed when they start first grade,” said Lee Burchfield, director of the Louisville Free Public Library. “There are not enough kids reading at grade level by third grade, not enough kids completing high school because too many dropping out. It’s just critically important to kids that they not fall behind during the summer months.”
Fischer believes providing these two opportunities is the city’s way of making sure no one falls through the cracks.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 Cultural Pass Committee has created three models for venues to participate. Venues can apply to participate in all three models.
- In-person general admission at participating venues
- Virtual programs
- Cultural Pass Days, which are outdoor events at locations across Greater Louisville. Venues may provide activity booths and/or stage performances/activities