Local Arts Group Seeks Small Donors to Sustain 2026 Season

The Appalachian Arts Alliance began an end of year donor drive on December 25, 2025, shifting emphasis from larger grants to steady community giving to cover basic operating costs. The move reflects growing uncertainty in grant funding and a strategic push to build a more resilient, locally anchored revenue stream for arts programming in Perry County.

Executive director Tim Deaton-Conway framed the change in funding strategy as both practical and community driven. “Grants are a lot harder to get these days. We’re not as comfortable in relying on funds from the government,” he said. He emphasized the value of many small, predictable gifts rather than intermittent large grants. “Having those donors from right here in our community and the people who can give $5 and $10, that helps us out a lot in keeping our doors open and keeping bills paid up, keeping people in positions, which is really important,” Deaton-Conway said.

The alliance said donations will directly support a full 2026 season that includes productions such as The Little Mermaid Jr. and Shrek, along with youth classes and community programs. The organization also noted it would provide items to donors as a thank you, and it reiterated a commitment to access. “One of the things that we pride ourselves in is that we never turn anyone away because of a dollar,” Deaton-Conway said.

For Perry County the financial shift matters beyond ticket sales. Sustained local contributions help stabilize employment for instructors and staff, preserve arts education for children and teenagers, and keep community spaces active. From an economic perspective, steady small donations can lower revenue volatility for the alliance, reducing the risk of program cuts that would affect local cultural life and small scale employment.

The campaign makes clear that local philanthropy is now a key pillar for cultural services in the county as public and private grant sources tighten. Residents who want to support the alliance or learn more can visit artstationky.org to donate or find additional information on upcoming programs and classes for 2026.