Open Studio

For more than 87 years, Lexington Children’s Theatre has been a safe, inspiring home for young people and families. To continue serving the Commonwealth, their historic home of 25 years on Short Street needs critical updates. This week on Open Studio Tom Musgrave talks with LCT Development Director Ashlee Collins to talk about their long history and new 'Building Dreams' capital campaign in honor of Alexandra Simpson.

The Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Harrison Elementary is a dynamic, lottery-based magnet school where creativity, collaboration, and academic excellence thrive. The program, now in its second year, offers a full spectrum of arts programming, including band, dance, music, orchestra, theatre as well as digital art forms. Tom Musgrave talks with Arts Magnet Coordinator & Curriculum Coach Austin Vahle.

All this month Open Studio features new interviews with Kentucky literary artists. For the final installment Tom Musgrave introduces us to Paulick Report Bloodstock Editor Joe Nevills. As part of his coverage of the thoroughbred industry, the Michigan native has made a name for himself as the 'Haiku Handicapper' where he analyzes a race's field or makes predictions on a race card or award show in the form haiku: A Japanese poem consisting of 17 syllables in lines of five, seven, and five. Rest assured he'll be out with his 2026 Kentucky Derby edition soon!

Open Studio features new interviews with Kentucky literary artists to celebrate Kentucky Writers' Day April 24th in Frankfort. This week is a rare opportunity to hear one former Kentucky Poet Laureate interview another. Affrilachian poets Frank X. Walker and Crystal Wilkinson talk about their childhood influences, inspirations as well as aspirations in this in depth conversation.

All this month Open Studio features new interviews with Kentucky literary artists. To celebrate Kentucky Writers' Day April 24th in Frankfort, Tom talks with current Kentucky Poet Laureate Kathleen Driskell and you'll also get to meet and hear from Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate Esme Morris.

All this month Open Studio features new interviews with Kentucky literary artists. Ada Limon served as Poet Laureate for the United States from 2022 to 2025.

Bryce Oquaye is an illustrator, comic artist and animator. From comic to cover art for publishers like Z2 Comics, illustration for Zox and Netflix, and animation for companies like Group Nine Media, Bryce has placed a focus on story based illustration and sequential work. On March 30th, as part of the 'Ideas That Matter' series, Bryce will explore how comic books and visual art uncover cultural truths and spotlight the values that shape who we are. He talks about the topic with Tom Musgrave.

Set in and around the Ellis Island Immigration Inspection Station on a single day in 1921, the UK Opera Theatre's “A Nation of Others” offers a moving portrayal of the courage and determination of those who journeyed to America in search of opportunity and freedom. The American opera by Pulitzer Prize-winning team Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell, debuts March 6-8, at the Lexington Opera House. Program coordinator Megh Jennings-Posner joins Tom for a preview.

Mark your calendars! The 2026 Kentucky Crafted Market takes place March 7 & 8 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Tom talks with Kentucky Arts Council Executive Director Chris Cathers about the annual showcase for Kentucky artists and craftspeople.

University of Kentucky School of Art and Visual Studies lecturer and Louisville native, Shae Goodlett has been named the artist for the official 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival poster. Goodlett’s design, which was unveiled earlier this month, will be featured on the festival’s 2026 official merchandise line, including clothing, accessories, glassware and mugs. Host Tom Musgrave talks with Goodlett about the inspiration, journey and destination for his art.

For over 60 years the Kentuckians Chorus has been entertaining and keeping barbershop harmonies alive and this week on Open Studio Tom Musgrave talks with four long-time members of the local vocal group.

The University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts will present Violins of Hope UK, a weeklong series of performances, exhibitions and educational events February 10 - 14th. Violins of Hope features more than 70 violins, violas and cellos that survived the Holocaust — instruments once owned and played by Jewish musicians before and during World War II. Tom Musgrave talks with UK Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor John Nardolillo and collection co-founder Avshi Weinstein.

This week on WUKY's Open Studio, Tom Musgrave talks with Mitchell Burleson, a University of Kentucky graduate student pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in studio art at the School of Art and Visual Studies in the College of Fine Arts, about winning the $50,000 Artfields Grand Prize. The prize is awarded annually to an artist from one of 12 Southeastern states.

The Bill Gatton Foundation’s $150 million gift — one of the largest in UK’s history — will create a new home for the arts at the University of Kentucky. UK College of Fine Arts Dean Mark Shanda talks with Tom Musgrave about the project which will include a new CFA building, a modern performance theater and public greenspace that will anchor a growing arts and innovation corridor along South Broadway.

WUKY's Open Studio welcomes back Lori Meadows of Kentuckians for the Arts. She and Tom Musgrave discuss the current level of arts funding in Kentucky, in comparison to other states, and preview Kentucky Arts Day, Thursday January 22 in Frankfort.

This week on Open Studio Tom Musgrave welcomes Vanessa Becker Weig, Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Voices Amplified (formerly known as The Girl Project.) The performance group empowers artists by generating brave and equitable spaces in arts education and theatre performance and connects artists, arts educators and community members by inviting collaborative continued arts education. Becker Weig talks about a very busy upcoming events calendar.

This week on WUKY's Open Studio host Tom Musgrave talks with dancer and choreographer Lakshmi Sriraman, who brings the beauty of Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest classical dance traditions, to audiences across Kentucky. Her work bridges cultures through storytelling, movement and teaching, fostering connection and deepening cultural understanding. She recently was honored with the 2025 Governor's in the Arts Folk Heritage Award.

LexArts and the Arts and Health Alliance of Central Kentucky promote and integrate the arts into healthcare settings to enhance the well-being of patients, caregivers, and communities. Tom Musgrave talks about the collaborative concept with LexArts Vice President Nathan Zamarron.

What happens when three arts podcast hosts get together? Will hilarity ensue? Perhaps something a bit more urbane and cerebral? You're about to find out! This week on WUKY's Open Studio Tom Musgrave talks with Jennifer Sciantarelli and Mark Mozingo, co-hosts of "The Beat: Conversations with the University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts Community," podcast.

This week on Open Studio Tom Musgrave talks with Lexington Theatre Company co-founder & artistic director Lyndy Franklin Smith about their production of 'A Christmas Carol,' November 20-23 at the Lexington Opera House. The local musical theater group is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

This week on Open Studio Tom Musgrave talks with former Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X. Walker on the recent passing of his mentor and friend Gurney Norman who passed away last month. The University of Kentucky is holding a two day tribute on December 6th and 7th.

At the time of this interview they didn't even have a title but we now know Lexington Singers and the Lexington Children's Choir will debut the World Premiere of Elaine Hagenberg's new work, 'Aeterna Via' for chorus and orchestra. This is the piece that Lexington Singers will take to Paris, France, in June 2026.