LexArts is trying to do more to recruit and showcase more diverse artists, the taxpayer-supported arts group told city officials Tuesday.
Ame Sweetall, president and CEO of LexArts, said the group has given out more than $60,000 in grants this year to diverse arts groups and organizations including the Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society , the African-American Arts Association and the Marafiki Center , a nonprofit that focuses on the city’s African population.
It is also increasing its outreach efforts to make sure diverse artists are aware of grant funding cycles, is continuing to monitor and make sure there is more equity in its grant funding and elevating the work of diverse artists, Sweetall told the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee.
Still, many council members raised questions about its outreach efforts and finances during the Tuesday meeting.
The community arts group, which receives more than $325,000 a year from the city, was criticized in May 2024 for failing to do more to elevate and fund diverse artists. The group helps raise money and gives grants to multiple arts groups in Lexington.
The issue came to a head after LexArts published a photo on its Facebook page of all white artists selected for a Commerce Lexington artist contest. LexArts did not select the artists, but the post prompted an outpouring of complaints from visual artists, writers and musicians about lack of inclusiveness in the city’s art scene, particularly with LexArts-funded projects.
After the May meeting, Vice Mayor Dan Wu asked LexArts to come before council to review its diversity efforts and answer questions about its funding.
Two former board members stepped down from the organization after the public dust-up in May. One of those members was head of the group’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion subcommittee.
Sweetall said Tuesday the diversity equity and inclusion committee has now been made permanent. It’s also streamlined its grant process to make it easier for people to apply.
“We have strategic recruitment for the board of directors and for staff,” Sweetall said.
The goal of the organization is to raise $2.7 million this fiscal year, Sweetall said.
About one third of that $2.7 million budget goes to administration. About 30 percent is designated for grants and another third goes directly to artists or specific arts projects, according to information provided by LexArts on Tuesday.
Councilwoman Jennifer Reynolds asked what specifically LexArts is doing to reach more diverse artists. Reynolds represents the 11th Council District, which includes some of Lexington’s most diverse neighborhoods.
“We don’t always see those represented in LexArts,” Reynolds said.
Sweetall said the board’s DEI committee is identifying minority neighborhoods to make sure it appears at those neighborhood events. It’s also working with Global Lex, the city’s international center, to make sure it is finding more diverse artists.
Question about spending, late payments to art groups
Still, council members had multiple questions during Tuesday’s more than hour-long discussion about LexArts finances and past audits.
A 2022 audit showed the group raised $1.9 million through sponsorships and grants and spent roughly $1.7 million.
But a March 14, 2024, letter to LexArts from auditors Mather and Company said they struggled to get accurate information from LexArts.
“The completion of our audit was delayed as a result of not receiving critical information necessary to perform the audit in a timely manner. Additionally, certain items were received in an incomplete/incorrect form further delaying audit procedures and requiring numerous communications between our staff and the Organization’s Finance & Operations Director and others,” the letter said.
Stefan Hendrickson, treasurer of the LexArts board, said they have addressed all issues raised in the 2022 audit and have upped internal controls, including making sure there is more oversight.
A 2023 audit has been launched, and it has not found any problems, Sweetall said.
Councilman David Sevigny said LexArts shared its budget but not its balance sheet. It’s hard for the city to tell the group’s cash flow situation.
“I’ve heard from a number of organizations that you support that payments are slow,” Sevigny said.
Complaints about tardy payments prompted Mayor Linda Gorton to meet with LexArts in May. Some of the groups that receive funding from LexArts includes the Lexington Philharmonic and the Lexington Children’s Theatre.
Sweetall said LexArts has now implemented a policy that ensures that when LexArts receives its quarterly payments from the city that money is then turned over to arts organizations in a timely manner.
Last year, the city also funded $50,000 for a grants specialist and $50,000 for equity arts grants. That’s in addition to the $325,000 annual allocation. Sweetall said Tuesday the grants specialist has left.
Wu asked how many grants that grant writer was able to secure. Sweetall said the grant writer identified 50 different grants, including two grants that dealt with equity. Sweetall did not say how many grants the grant writer has been able to secure.
“Not everything was funded,” Sweetall said. “We have to fundraising for equity to provide equity.”
Sweetall said it’s not clear if LexArts will be able to continue to fund the grant-writer position.
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