The Gateway Regional Arts Center (GRAC) is the premier cultural center for the Central and Eastern regions of Kentucky. With a mission of providing excellent arts experiences for the communities along the I-64 Corridor between Lexington, Kentucky and Huntington, West Virginia, GRAC is on the forefront of cultural programming and continues to grow its reach in the Appalachian and Bluegrass regions of Kentucky.

Nestled in-between the rolling hills and horse farms of Central Kentucky and the mountains and hollers of Eastern Kentucky, Mount Sterling offers a unique conduit - the “Gateway,” as it is known here - between the two distinct landscapes and cultures. GRAC sees itself as the cultural heartbeat of that conduit; it’s a place where we embrace our rich and vast identities and explore them through myriad art forms and anthropological methods.

In addition to a robust offering of affordable classes and events open to the public, GRAC also houses the Small Town America Institute for Rural Arts & Culture, a think tank dedicated to supporting rich cultural programming in rural American towns and counties. Through academic research, as well as free resources and guides, the Institute assists smaller arts councils and interest groups bring vibrancy to their communities through the arts.