The Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts is coming to Northern Kentucky University in 2026.
The Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts and NKU shared the news that the university would host the program, starting in 2026, for the next three at an Oct. 3 press conference.
Governor’s School for the Arts, known locally as GSA, is an annual three-week summer residency program for Kentucky high school sophomores and juniors.
The University of Kentucky has hosted the program for the last six years. GSA’s 2026 summer program will take place at NKU June 7 through 27.
“These are students, the best students across the commonwealth in our design, creative writing and the performing arts,” said Matt Albritton, director of school of the arts. “So hosting them here on our campus, in our building, is just it’s a huge opportunity, right for recruiting, certainly, but beyond that, just letting folks across the state know all the great things that we do here in the School of the Arts at NKU.”
Since 1987, more than 9,000 high school juniors and seniors have attended the three-week program on college campuses. Instruction is offered in nine disciplines: architecture and design, creative writing, dance, drama, film and photography, instrumental music, musical theatre, visual art, and vocal music. This summer, GSA is adding a new discipline, graphic design.
“This is our first time in Northern Kentucky, and we’re excited about that because it allows us to have some additional opportunities in a different portion of the state, where students might not be able to have gotten before,” said Director of GSA Jason Brooks.
NKU’s School of the Arts recently celebrated the completion of a nearly $15 million renovation to the NKU Fine Arts Center, a building that has housed art, theater, music and dance students for almost 50 years.
“I believe that the arts are special and they impact learners,” said NKU President Cady Short-Thompson. “The arts fuel student growth, innovation and a positive campus culture. The arts sharpen our thinking, our creativity and our communication capabilities. The arts humanize and connect us.”
Applications for the 2026 summer program open Oct. 10. The deadline to apply is Jan. 18, 2026.
