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origins

Our Year on Origins

Coinciding with the United States’ quarter millennial, the Gaines theme for 2025-2026 explores the meaning of origins through the prism of disciplinary viewpoints offered by the humanities, the arts, and the sciences. The Gaines Fellows seminar highlights the multiplicity of beginnings not only for Lexington and the United States but also for current technologies, social institutions, political movements, the planet, humans, and other species as the city and nation commemorate—and reckon with—our 250th anniversaries 

News and Upcoming Events

Register by August 1! The Gaines 40th Alumni Reunion

Calling all Gaines alumni! Join us for a celebration of 40 years of the Gaines Center! Register here before August 1 to secure your spot. 

the 2025 bale boone symposium Ebony G. Patterson

Join multi-media artist and MacArthur Fellow Ebony G. Patterson in conversation with UK Art Museum Director Stuart Horodner on Thursday October 23, 2025, at the Singletary Center Concert Hall. This event is free and open to the public. Tickets available now!

NOW AVAILABLE Our Spring 2025 newsletter

The Spring 2025 newsletter includes the many (many!) things happening over here in the UK Gaines Center including reviews of our Breathitt Lecture and the 2025 Lafayette Seminar, a celebration of our graduating seniors, an alumni interview with Dominique Luster, and a reflection on the year from our new Director, Dr. Michelle Sizemore. 

now available to stream 2025 Breathitt Lecture with Lucas Carlos de Lima

The 2025 Breathitt Lecture, Crystal Palaces: Designing a Better World Amidst Social Chaos presented by Lucas Carlos de Lima, is now available to stream on our YouTube channel.  Click here to view the lecture. 

Gaines Class of 2027 Gaines Center Selects Newest Cohort of Fellows

The University of Kentucky Gaines Center for the Humanities is thrilled to announce the selection of 12 undergraduates as the newest class of Gaines Fellows. These students will join the prestigious Gaines Fellowship Program in the Humanities for the 2025-2026 academic year.