The Kentucky Museum today announced the launch of the “Sonic Landscape” exhibition, in partnership with the Kentucky Folklore Program, celebrating the region’s rich musical heritage. These organizations received a $75,000 grant from the Bowling Green Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) to support a multi-year exhibition celebrating the musical traditions and heritage of South Central Kentucky.
“Eastern Kentucky and Appalachian music may come to mind for many people first, but South Central Kentucky has a rich musical heritage of its own,” said Brent, director of the Kentucky Museum and Kentucky Folklore Program. Björkmann said. “For decades, our state’s regions have been venues for musical exchange and collaboration across multiple genres and styles. It helps frame the story of our proud position.”
This exhibit and website is based on years of oral history interviewing and documenting efforts by faculty and students of the Kentucky Folklore Program and WKU Folklore. This project started with an initial interview with a local musician. Sidney Varageon, who was a graduate student at the time, conducted the orchestra. In 2018, the project secured funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to further its research and create a website as a resource to share ongoing research. The NEA grant also supported a future mini documentary series produced by WKYU-PBS. This evolving story will take center stage in upcoming exhibitions, which are now previewed online at https://skymusicexhibit.org/.
Now supported by the Bowling Green Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Kentucky Museum and Kentucky Folklore Program will bring the project to life with a physical exhibit scheduled to open in early 2025. The exhibit showcases website highlights and artifacts. An immersive audio-visual story, and many never-before-seen photos and memorabilia.
“We are very happy to have CVB’s support in making this exhibition a reality,” said Björkmann. “Their investment makes a big difference to this project, both in documenting the region’s rich musical past and present, and in creating a centerpiece that attracts tourists and fosters pride in our community. It shows the excitement of our community.”
If you are interested in supporting this project, please consider making a gift online at http://alumni.wku.edu/musicexhibit.
For more information about the exhibition, including how to support related concerts and programs, please contact Exhibition Curator and Development Coordinator Tiffany Isselhardt at tiffany.isselhardt@wku.edu.
About the Kentucky Museum
The Kentucky Museum is an integral part of WKU’s campus and the community of South Central Kentucky. The Museum actively supports WKU’s academic and cultural goals while providing quality educational experiences and opportunities related to Kentucky’s heritage and its relevance in a global society. Thanks to the free admission initiative, the museum has grown exponentially over the past three years, from 14,000 in 2019 to more than 30,000 in 2021, attracting a wide range of Kentucky residents and visitors. I was.
regarding bowling green area Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization of Bowling Green and Warren County and is responsible for marketing and marketing the city as a leisure, sports and convention destination. www.visitbgky.com
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