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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

Doug Naselroad: Lecture & Panel Discussion

 A discussion panel featuring Dr. Chelsea Brislin, Associate Director of the Gaines Center, will follow Doug Naselroad's lecture about cultural heritage and recovery. The lecture and panel discussion will take place at 12.00pm on Friday October 18, in The Forum (room 111) of the Gray Design Building. Naselroad is the Master Luthier for the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company. The Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company makes some of the world’s finest guitars.  It also provides a path forward for people in recovery.

An Evening with Emily St. John Mandel

Join the  Gaines Center for the Humanities for the 2024 Bale Boone Symposium featuring award-winning author, Emily St. John Mandel. The event takes place at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday October 17, at the Mitchell Fine Arts Center at Tranyslvania University. Moderated by Gaines Center Director Michelle Sizemore, Ph.D., the conversation will focus on the role of the humanities in a world navigating climate change, global pandemics and fracturing leadership.