Cultivating Connection: Our 2025 Year in Review
During our 11th year, RUX fostered connections between Kentuckians at gatherings across the state and continued our commitment to resourcing statewide leaders. Join us in celebrating 2025!
Throughout December, join us for 12 days of gratitude on our Instagram and Facebook as we reflect further on all we have done together this year.
2025 at a Glance
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People
For our 2025 RUX cohort, RUX hosted 65 Kentuckians in Campbellsville (Taylor Co.) & Morehead (Rowan Co.) for 6 days of civic capacity building. These leaders in the arts, agriculture, community development, education, government, health, and business represent all regions of Kentucky, including Allen, Calloway, Campbell, Casey, Clark, Daveiss, Fayette, Franklin, Graves, Harlan, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Knott, Lawrence, Madison, McCracken, Morgan, Muhlenberg, Perry, Rowan, Scott, Taylor, Trimble, and Wolf counties.
During our annual forum, The Golden Thread, 16 civic entrepreneurs and their stories were amplified onstage. Throughout the year, both in-person and through our 10-year case studies publication, we heard from 49 cross-sector speakers, including RUX alumni, about how they are cultivating change and advocating for their communities.
We also deepened our connections with the RUX network. Over 80 alumni, members-at-large, partners, and their loved ones gathered for Third Weekend, our annual network gathering, at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.
Place
We created common ground through our Community Intensives. In Campbellsville & Taylor County, we learned about local efforts to support at-risk community members, safe places and safe people in Campbellsville, ecology along the Green River, and more.
In Morehead & Rowan County, our first Community Intensive in the area, our host committee showcased the best of Morehead’s art, culture, economy, and leadership. Through Community Conversations and Narrative Stages, the cohort dove deep into the complexities of the community, including issues facing local housing and LGBTQ+ experiences of belonging.
Across both Community Intensive weekends, 100% of RUX cohort members agreed that they learned something new about each Community Intensive region, and 100% agreed that RUX activities made them think of things in a new way or see a different perspective.
Partnership
Cross-sector partnerships are the foundation of RUX. Throughout 2025, we worked with 25 organizations, networks, foundations, and businesses to help produce this year’s programs.
2025 Program Partners & Funders: Appalshop, W. L. Lyons Brown Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Kentucky Arts Council, Fund for the Arts, Kentucky Foundation for Women, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Kentucky Performing Arts, Louisville Public Media, Greater Clark Foundatio, Owensboro Health, EarthTools, Appalachian Impact Fund, Partners for Rural Impact, Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute at the University of Louisville, Lake Area Foundation, Taylor County Tourism, Morehead Rowan County Tourism, Morehead Conference Center, the Fuzzy Duck Coffee Shop, Oh Baby! Ultrasounds & Baby Boutique, Renee Dobson Realty, Fazoli’s, and individual donors like you!
Civic Health
With 5 partners, we supported 32 micrograntees and invested over $23,000 across sectors in every KY region that make our waterways more accessible, main streets more vibrant, and communities more connected. Since 2023, our Microgrant Program has distributed over $88,000 to 53 projects in 33 counties throughout our Commonwealth!
Fieldbuilding
We are continuing to build a statewide commitment to civic health, and a nationwide brand for a Kentucky where innovation thrives in diverse contexts. RUX traveled to Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia this year, where we shared the stories and lessons KY has learned together.
Get involved!
Join the RUX Membership Program!
For just $5 per month, you can sustain our work and receive:
Access to our Microgrant Program, which invites proposals for small scale, big impact projects that celebrate or improve your community.
An invitation to a three-day Network Intensive at a state park, where you and your family or co-workers can meet, learn from, and work with incredible Kentuckians while spending time together in beautiful places.
Access to an exclusive digital community that shares network opportunities & gatherings across the state.An initiative of Art of the Rural, the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) unites Kentuckians in common purpose through experiences & cross-sector projects that strengthen intercultural leadership and solidify civic health.
Thank you for joining us, and welcome to RUX!
About the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange
An initiative of Art of the Rural, the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) unites Kentuckians in common purpose through experiences & cross-sector projects that strengthen intercultural leadership and solidify civic health.