AninitiativeofArtoftheRural,theKentuckyRural-Urban Exchange(RUX)unitesKentuckiansincommonpurpose throughexperiences&cross-sectorprojectsthatstrengthen interculturalleadershipandsolidifycivichealth.
Our2025programsincludedtheRUXLeadershipCohort,the InterculturalMicrograntProgram,andTheGoldenThread.
TheRUXMembershipProgrammadeit easierforKentuckianstogetinvolved.
civicentrepreneurs&theirstories wereamplifiedonstageatThe GoldenThread.
32 MICROGRANTEES With5partners,wesupported
andinvested$23,000incross-sectorprojects ineveryKYregionthatimprovequalityoflife bymakingourwaterwaysmoreaccessible, mainstreetsmorevibrant,andcommunities moreconnected. weretrainedat6daysofciviccapacity buildinginCampbellsville(TaylorCo.) &Morehead(RowanCo.).
&theirlovedoneswerehostedat Pennyrileforournetworkgathering.
Forour2025RUXleadershipcohort,RUXwelcomed50Kentuckians.These leadersinthearts,agriculture,communitydevelopment,education,government, health,andbusinessrepresentallregionsofKentucky.
Howtheyself-identify:
Wherethey’refrom:
Thissummer,ourcohort&teamof65KentuckiansattendedCommunityIntensivesin Campbellsville(TaylorCo.)&Morehead(RowanCo.)for6daysofciviccapacity buildingandculturalexperiencesofplace.
AcrossbothCommunityIntensiveweekends,100%ofRUXcohortmembersagreed that: TheylearnedsomethingnewabouteachCommunityIntensiveregion,and RUXactivitiesmadethemthinkofthingsinanewwayorseeadifferent perspective.
Doyoufeelconnectedtootherleadersinyourregionofthestate beyondyourcounty?
Verymuchso,Ihaveadeepprofessional networkinmyregion
Somewhat,Iknowafewfolksoutsidemy countybutdon’tfeelwellconnected Iamnotincontactwithfolksdoingsimilar worktomeinmyregion.
We’rebuildingastatewidecommitment tocivichealth,andanationwidebrand foraKentuckywhereinnovationthrives indiversecontexts.
Thisyear,RUXtraveledtoColorado,Georgia, Massachusetts,Minnesota,NewHampshire,Ohio, Pennsylvania,Texas,andVirginiathisyear,where wesharedthestoriesandlessonsKYhas learnedtogether. Hearourstoryandcontactustolearnmoreby visitingkyrux.org.
AstheseKentuckiansconsultononeanother’sprojects,solvechallengestogether,and shareresources,theybegintobelievethatchangeispossibleforKentuckyandtodream differentlyfortheircommunities.
Today,aRUXmemberfromanywhereinourCommonwealthcanaccessthepowerand resourcesoflocalleadersacrossthestate.Thiskindofsocialcapitalisrareandhardto reacheverywhere,butthatislessandlesstrueinKentuckybecauseofyou.
After11years,RUXmembershavefoundthat a community flourishes when people see themselves as integral to the future of their place, but society flourishes when we recognize that our future is linked to those up and downstream.
Inaworldthatprofitsfromourdivision,wechallengeyoutobeindivisible.Ifyou’renot yetamember,youcansignupforaslittleas$5amonth,tojoinusinbuildingreal relationshipswithourfellowKentuckians.RUXoffersanopportunitytomeetfascinating Kentuckians,seebeautifulplaces,anddoworkthatmatters.Thankyouforjoiningus.
Cross-sectorpartnershipsarethefoundationofRUX.Throughout2025,we workedwith101organizations,networks,foundations,andbusinessesto helpproduceourprograms.
