What is Covington Arts?

Covington Arts is a city-wide arts and cultural initiative which exists as part of the Department of Development for the City of Covington.

Covington is a city driven by creativity and believes this resources is a powerful expression of our community. Considering arts and culture as important mechanisms for revitalization, Covington Arts provides opportunities for everyone to engage in diverse creative experiences.

Covington Arts attracts and supports artists and creatives, forges strong and lasting relationships with our community partners and improves quality of place through innovative programming.

To further this initiative, the Covington Arts Center, located at 2 West Pike Street, is the headquarter office of the Cultural Arts Director and venue for Covington Arts exhibition and programs.

The History:

Covington Arts began in 2006 when the City of Covington and MKSK (formerly KGG) began an innovative collaboration in which both public and private entities co-existed under one roof. A grant secured from the Kentucky General Assembly in the amount of $450,000 provided the funding necessary to rehab the building and create a public arts venue for the community, called the Artisans Enterprise Center (AEC).

The Kentucky Arts Council awarded Covington with State-Level Certification as an Arts and Cultural District in 2012. A great distinction for the city, Covington is only one of six such districts within the Commonwealth.

In 2013 we launched our new look! The process began in 2009 when the City partnered with NKU Professor Hans Schellhas and Graphic Design student Brandon Wells to conduct a full, four- phased branding consultation. The process involved many community focus groups, individual interviews, and market research. The Covington Arts kinetic logo represents the unique diversity, creativity, and energy of Covington, which further expresses the surprise, fun, and constant change of dynamics related to this thriving community.

In keeping with the spirit of the new brand the arts and cultural initiative along with the gallery were streamlined and rebranded as Covington Arts in 2013.