Big news for RUX in 2026!
This is your year!
In 2026, RUX is doubling down on our investment in you and making it easier than ever to get involved. We’re moving towards more support for RUXers to host RUX programming in their own towns and regions, and more focus on public RUX experiences at Kentucky festivals and conferences.
This year, RUX will:
Support regional exchange
Invest in RUXers to host network events in their own communities.
Double our microgrants
Support the RUX network with $$$ for projects & partnerships.
Grow RUX
Make it easy to become a member and meaningfully take part in the statewide network.
We’re excited about the work, and these priorities do require us to try new things. We will not be accepting a new class of RUX fellows in the creative leadership program in 2026. Instead, we will invest those resources in our statewide network - you! - to bring the RUX curriculum & experience to communities across the state simultaneously.
This will take the shape of several concurrent offerings that give us all the chance to lead RUX in our own regions. We are increasing the number of small localized events in 2026 while building tools to help our network to host their own RUX programming through local and regional RUX chapters, and we are hosting more RUX-led experiences at festivals, conferences, and meetups around Kentucky.
Don’t miss out on this year of opportunity to build your community’s future alongside your neighbors.
Join RUX as a member today at kyrux.org/membership!
2026 at a Glance
Spring
RUX 2026 Intercultural Microgrants will offer grantees project support and peer exchange for cross-sector bridging projects.
We’ll also host a RUX homecoming at the Appalshop’s 40th Seedtime on the Cumberland, June 5-6.
Summer
We’ll host the 2026 cohort at a Morehead Community Intensive.
We’ll open applications for Network Nanogrants, which will support members to organize network events that bring RUXers together across their area code to connect and collaborate.
Fall
We’ll host the RUX Network Weekend at Blue Licks State Park.
We’ll launch Civic Club Microgrants to support local experiments in community change.
The season culminates at The Golden Thread, where we’ll connect our grantees and celebrate their impact on Kentucky.
Overall, we are activating the RUX network to amplify nuanced Kentucky stories and help Kentuckians lead the projects & place-based experiences that demonstrate RUX’s core principles.
Get involved & shape the future of RUX!
Lead RUX!
If you’re a cohort alum: tinyurl.com/RUXAlumLead
If you’re a previous partner or sponsor: tinyurl.com/RUXPartnerImpact
Be our partner or sponsor! Learn more: kyrux.org/sponsorship
Become a member! Join today: kyrux.org/membership
If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please email our staff at kentuckyrux@gmail.com. We are deeply grateful for your support and your commitment to our Commonwealth.
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About RUX
An initiative of Art of the Rural, the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) is a statewide network that unites Kentuckians in common purpose through programs that strengthen intercultural leadership, narrative change, and civic health.