Due to federal funding cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts, Kentuck Art Center’s 2025 project grant has been withdrawn. This grant supported our 2025 exhibition season, “From The Earth,” Boxes of Joy, and select workshops. As of 5/8/25, Kentuck’s Boxes of Joy program is paused until further notice.
boxes of joy
Kentuck's Boxes of Joy provides art supply kits and additional arts instruction to youth in underserved communities in Tuscaloosa and Northport. Kentuck partners with several schools and organizations, including Northport Housing Authority, Tuscaloosa One Place Extended Day Program at Matthews Elementary, Benjamin Barnes YMCA, and Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary. to bring art supply kits to 200 children, ages 5-12. In addition to the craft kits, artists lead in-person activities that provide an opportunity for children to express themselves in a healthy, safe, positive way. Kentuck's Boxes of Joy include information on Kentuck's current exhibition, step-by-step instructions for a related art activity, and all necessary art supplies. In addition to these art supplies, each box contains information about Kentuck and its current free programming.
example crafts
Each craft kit includes information on Kentuck's current exhibition, step-by-step instructions for a related art activity, and all necessary art supplies. Past crafts have included activities related to Gee's Bend Quilts, Story Quilts, face jugs, mosaics, memory paintings, and more. Below are a few photos from the step-by-step instructions provided in the kits.
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This project is supported in part by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.