In Performance at the Governor’s Mansion is an annual series showcasing the depth and breadth of outstanding Kentucky artists and arts groups. Former Gov. Paul E. Patton and his wife, Judi, initiated the series, welcoming artists—and a statewide audience via KET—to the mansion two to three times each year.

Most performances are taped in the Governor’s Mansion Ballroom, though one program each year is taped in a larger venue to accommodate groups requiring larger spaces in which to perform. The series is closed-captioned for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Partners

This series is made possible by a generous grant from Ashland Inc. The project is a partnership among the Governor’s Office (Special Projects and the Governor’s Mansion); the Secretary’s Office, Cabinet for Education, Arts and Humanities; and KET.

Selection of Artists

Criteria taken into consideration in selecting performing talent includes

• artistic merit
• balance and diversity (artists/groups considered from across the state and representing a wide variety of disciplines, ethnic and cultural groups, etc.)
• appropriateness to the venue, to television, and to the overall program theme/format

Interested artists are encouraged to contact one of the series partners for more information.

Program Hosts

Sky Yancey is the regular series emcee. For many years the news anchor for WTVQ, Channel 36 in Lexington, she regularly co-hosts the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council’s annual Night with the Arts, a showcase of Lexington arts groups. From time to time, guest hosts make special appearances. One such host is Byron Crawford, popular columnist for The Courier-Journal and former host of KET’s Kentucky Life.

Seasons 2-5 were made possible
by a generous grant from Ashland Inc.