NKU Named Future Home of Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Officials with Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and Kentucky Performing Arts announced today that NKU has been named the future home of the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA), an annual three-week intensive summer arts residency program for Kentucky high school sophomores and juniors. Beginning in 2026, NKU will hostthe program for 3 years.

Since 1987, more than 9,000 rising high school juniors and seniors have descended on a college campus setting to immerse themselves in a 3-week arts intensive environment, with cross-discipline learning, special guest artist performances and lectures, and the opportunity to access critical life-changing college scholarships. Instruction is offered in nine disciplines: Architecture & Design, Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Film+Photography, Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre, Visual Art and Vocal Music. This summer, GSA is adding a new discipline, Graphic Design.

GSA’s 2026 summer program will take place at NKU June 7-27, 2026. GSA most recently resided at the University of Kentucky, where it has been presented for the last six years. “I’m excited about our growing partnership with NKU and what it represents for the future of artseducation in Kentucky,” said Jason Brooks, director of GSA. “Together, we are building a home where young artists can explore, create, and grow. NKU’s inspiring arts spaces, supportive community, and dedication to student success position us to cultivate the next generation of creative leaders for the Commonwealth and beyond.”

Northern Kentucky University is honored to welcome the Governor’s School for the Arts to its Highland Heights campus, where its School of the Arts, home to nationally recognized programs in Art & Design, Music, and Theatre & Dance, serves as a hub of creativity and interdisciplinary excellence. 

Northern Kentucky University’s Fine Arts Center provides GSA students with a state-of-the-art home for creativity that mirrors the professional world of the arts. The center features premier venues such as the 637-seat Greaves Concert Hall, the Corbett Theatre, and the Stauss Black Box Theatre, alongside professional-grade rehearsal rooms, dance studios, art galleries, and music technology labs. By hosting GSA, NKU affirms its commitment to nurturing young talent and advancing Kentucky’s vibrant creative future.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Governor’s School for the Arts to NKU. This partnership reflects our deep commitment to supporting the arts, celebrating creativity, and strengthening Kentucky’s cultural and educational landscape,” said NKU President Dr. Cady Short-Thompson. “GSA has transformed the lives of thousands of young people across the Commonwealth, and now these students will bring their talent, passion, and creativity to our campus.”

Applications for 2026 summer program open October 10, 2025 at www.kentuckygsa.org. The deadline to apply is January 18, 2026. 

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS:
GSA is a public/private partnership inaugurated in 1987 by The Kentucky Center, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and numerous private supporters. Today, the vital funding required to make GSA a reality is provided by the state through the leadership of the Governor’s Office and the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, as well as The Kentucky Center Endowment Fund, David F. Young and Cheryl Cahill, Toyota Motor Manufacturing and more than 300 corporations, parents, educators, alumni and friends of GSA.

ABOUT KENTUCKY PERFORMING ARTS:
Bringing world class performances to Kentucky, connecting artists with the community, and providing arts education opportunities, Kentucky Performing Arts lives its statewide mission of connecting and inspiring through the arts. Kentucky Performing Arts has a significant impact on the Commonwealth’s tourism and local economy, contributing $26.3 million in an average year, including $15.8 million in direct economic impact with our patrons spending an additional $10.5 million annually.  As an integral member of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet, Kentucky Performing Arts, along with the other agencies, seeks to preserve and promote the history, heritage, and arts of the Commonwealth.

• Three locations in Louisville make up the family of venues under the Kentucky Performing Arts umbrella:
  The Kentucky Center at 501 W. Main St.
• The Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway
• Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, 724 Brent St.

ABOUT NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
NKU is an entrepreneurial state university of more than 15,000 students on a thriving suburban campus nestled between Highland Heights, Kentucky, and bustling downtown Cincinnati. Ranked in the top 30 out of 500 universities nationwide by The Wall Street Journal for exceptional value, we are a regionally engaged university committed to delivering an innovative, student-centered education. We empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives, while contributing to the economic, civic and social vitality of the region. Learn more at nku.edu.

ABOUT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
The School of the Arts (SOTA) at Northern Kentucky University is where creativity gets real. Home to programs in Art & Design, Music, and Theatre & Dance, SOTA blends a distinctly personal education with hands-on professional experiences that prepare students to thrive as artists, innovators, and cultural changemakers. With small class sizes, mentorship from practicing professionals, and access to one of the region’s most vibrant creative communities, SOTA students engage in performances, exhibits, and projects that connect them to real-world opportunities from day one. Each year, SOTA produces more than 100 events and collaborates with artists, organizations, and audiences across the Greater Cincinnati region and beyond, creating a dynamic environment where passion meets profession. Learn more at nku.edu/sota.