​No. 73: Gregory Turay - Executive Director, ElevateART KY

Gregory Turay, internationally recognized operatic tenor, educator, and civic arts leader, joins host Kate Savage to discuss his visionary project, ElevateART—a proposed civic and community arts center aimed at transforming Lexington’s arts landscape. Gregory shares how his experiences performing globally, teaching at the University of Kentucky, and engaging with local nonprofits underscored the city’s decades-long need for accessible rehearsal, performance, and gallery spaces. He explains the center’s multi-faceted mission to uplift artists, audiences, and community organizations by providing state-of-the-art facilities, fostering collaborative cross-pollination, and supporting both performing and visual arts, all while tackling the complex realities of fundraising and city planning. Kate and Gregory reflect on the essential role cultural infrastructure plays in economic development, artistic vibrancy, and quality of life, and why now is the time for Lexington to invest in the arts as a cornerstone of its civic identity.For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html