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save the dates for these upcoming events 2026-2027 at the Gaines Center

Apr 30, 2027

Save the dates for these upcoming public and community events from the Gaines Center for the Humanities. All Gaines public events are free, but some may require advance registration.  TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 Gaines kick-off to our Year of the Human Algorithm--a free screening and panel discussion of the 2013 movie "Her" starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson. 

CO-SPONSORED BY THE GAINES CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES THE UNIQUE ROLE OF CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING IN AMERICAN ELECTIONS with Lynn Vavrek

Oct 15, 2026

Explore the power of television advertising in political campaigns with Phi Beta Kappa visiting scholar Lynn Vavrek, a political scientist from UCLA. Discover how campaign ads use emotion and persuasion and whether they actually influence voters. This event will take place at 5:30PM on Thursday October 15, 2026, in the Lewis Scholars Lounge, Lewis Honors College. Free and open to the public. 

the 2026 bale boone symposium AN EVENING WITH TED CHIANG Tickets Available Now

Oct 6, 2026

Join the Gaines Center for the Humanities at 6.00pm on Thursday October 6, 2026 for the 2026 Bale Boone Symposium featuring acclaimed author Ted Chiang. Ted Chiang is an American science fiction writer, whose work has won four Nebula awards, four Hugo awards, the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, and six Locus awards. He published the short story collection Stories of Your Life and Others, the titular novella going on to inspire Dennis Villenue’s 2016 film, Arrival.

join us for a screening of Arrival With a welcome by special guest Ted Chiang

Oct 5, 2026

The Gaines Center is proud to welcome Ted Chiang to campus this semester. In preparation for his visit, the Gaines Center for the Humanities presents this special screening of Arrival, the award-winning film inspired by Chiang’s short story Story of Your Life. This screening will take place at the Kentucky Theatre, Main Street, Lexington, on Monday October 5 at 7.00pm. We're delighted that Ted Chiang will welcome the audience, and that linguists Brenna and Andrew Byrd will provide an introduction to the movie.

now gathering interest forms The Root & Reed Collaborative A Gaines Center Cooperative

Aug 20, 2026

Sponsored by the Gaines Center Cooperatives program, the Root & Reed Cooperative are gathering interest for their upcoming basketry workshops. Baskets represent artisanship, craft, utility, and tradition, woven into human history across every culture and continent. The Root & Reed Cooperative will meet during the semester to discuss basketry and fiber arts, learn about specific basketry and basket-weaving techniques, and participate in a hands-on workshop. Scan the QR code to fill out an interest form. 

faculty applications now invited The 2028 Bingham Seminar

by Ryan Girves
 Jul 31, 2026

Beginning July 31, the University of Kentucky Gaines Center for the Humanities will accept faculty proposals for the 2028 Mary C. Bingham Seminar, a unique opportunity to design and teach a humanities-focused course that pairs classroom learning with an immersive travel experience.

applications for 2026-2027 now open Gaines Mini-Grants

Jul 31, 2026

The Gaines Center's Mini-Grant program invites applications from any University of Kentucky college or department to apply for a limited number of awards annually. The humanities intersect with every discipline on the University of Kentucky campus, and, last year, Gaines' mini-grant program created partnerships with a number of campus departments highlighting just how rich those intersections can be. 

Twelve New Gaines Fellows Named

by Ryan Girves
 Apr 3, 2026

Twelve University of Kentucky students have been selected as the newest Gaines Fellows, representing nine colleges across campus and marking a record number of applications for the highly competitive program. The Gaines Fellowship in the Humanities is a distinctive, two-year program designed to enrich undergraduate education through interdisciplinary coursework, independent research and community engagement. Fellows are selected for their academic achievement, research potential, interest in public issues and commitment to exploring the human condition through the humanities.

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