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What can ballet teach a future physician about the natural sciences? Who should document the stories behind Kentucky's opioid crisis? How does classic art inform sustainable design? 

Founded in 1984 by a generous gift from John and Joan Gaines, the Gaines Center for the Humanities functions as a laboratory for imaginative and innovative education on the University of Kentucky's campus. Devoted to cultivating an appreciation of the humanities in its students and faculty, the Center embraces varied paths of knowledge, and particularly strives to integrate creative work with traditional academic learning.

 

 

37 UK academic programs

represented by Gaines' students, faculty

+5K Kentuckians reached

annually by Gaines programming, events

What We Do

Educate

Our prestigious Gaines fellowship is the highlight of many UK alums' college experience. 

Gaines Fellowship

Integrate

With creative programming, we bring the humanities to thousands of Kentuckians each year.

Events & Programs

Advocate

The entire Gaines Center community is proud to advocate for arts and cultural education, research, and funding.

Work & Partnerships

New from the Gaines Center

Now Accepting Applications for the Gaines Fellowship

The application for the Gaines Fellowship is open now and interested applicants are invited to attend our information session (via zoom) at 2.00pm on Wednesday, January 22:  https://uky.zoom.us/j/87372002950. The Gaines Fellowship is an intensive two-year program awarded to 12 outstanding undergraduate students each year. Selected fellows take a four-credit hour seminar course as a small cohort focused on the humanities with outstanding UK faculty both semesters of their junior year.

Meet the Author: David Tallamy

Co-sponsored by the Gaines Center for the Humanities mini-grant program, meet the author Doug Tallamy, at 10.00am on Friday December 6, 2024, in the John Jacobs Niles Gallery of the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library. Tallamy is the author of Nature's Best Hope, The Nature of Oaks, Bringing Nature Home, and How Can I Help?  The event is free, but registration is required here.