For Immediate Release
Fund for the Arts
Tory Parker
tparker@fundforthearts.org
(304) 610-2269
Louisville Free Public Library
Paul Burns
paul.burns@lfpl.org
(502) 574-1683
2025 Cultural Pass and Summer Reading Kickoff on May 31
Cultural Pass Launches New Digital App!
LOUISVILLE (May 22, 2025) –
Official press conference:
* May 27, 10 am
* Western Library with Mayor Craig Greenberg
* Louisville Metro Government supports Summer Reading and Cultural Pass
School’s out and the 2025 Cultural Pass and Summer Reading programs are here to prevent summer learning loss and provide fun and free arts and culture experiences for young people and their families!
Cultural Pass Goes Digital! This is the first year for the Cultural Pass App, where family units will be able to browse and search the full calendar of events, build their personal Cultural Pass schedule, get reminders, and check in, all in the palm of their hand! Visit culturalpass.app for more information.
The Summer Reading and Cultural Pass Kickoff celebration is at the Main Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library on May 31, 10 am – 1 pm.
Kickoff features activities and performances from Cultural Pass partners such as the Kentucky Science Center, Speed Art Museum, the Louisville Zoo, and more, as well as food vendors, roaming characters, and hands-on engagement for all ages. Library staff and Cultural Pass representatives will be available to help sign everyone up for Summer Reading and the Cultural Pass App!
“The Cultural Pass program ensures that every young person across Jefferson County can engage in fun, educational activities in unique and safe spaces,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “It’s proven that children who are exposed to the arts show improved academic performance and develop more creative and innovative thinking. Thank you to all of the partners who will be creating memorable experiences for children and their families this summer, and doing your part to help create a stronger, safer, and healthier Louisville.”
2025 Cultural Pass
This FREE program supports and encourages summer learning by providing young people 0 – 21 and their families free access to over 45 Louisville and Southern Indiana arts, cultural, science, nature, and heritage institutions. The program runs from May 31 – August 10.
“We’re incredibly excited to introduce the city to the Cultural Pass App as we work to expand this beloved program and make it more accessible to everyone in our community,” said Andre Kimo Stone Guess, President and CEO of Fund for the Arts. “It is our hope that the Cultural Pass App brings more families on more visits to more partners than ever before, helping our young people get engaged and STAY engaged in their arts and culture ecosystem.”
Those who live or work in Jefferson or Bullitt County in Kentucky or Clark, Floyd, or Harrison Counties in Indiana, can download and register for the Cultural Pass App anytime, anywhere. Those unable to download and use the Cultural Pass App may visit their closest participating library for accessibility information.
Participating libraries include Louisville Free Public Library, Bullitt County Public Library, Charlestown Clark County Public Library, The Floyd County Library, Harrison County Library, and Jeffersonville Township Public Library.
The 2025 Cultural Pass App is presented via a partnership between Fund for the Arts, Louisville Metro Government, Arts & Culture Alliance (ACA), Kentuckiana Cultural Consortium and all participating library systems (above). It is supported by the Humana Foundation, Louisville Metro Government, Frances N. Alden Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Brooke Brown Barzun Foundation, Sociable Weaver Foundation, Owsley Brown III Philanthropic Foundation, Emily Bingham and Stephen Reily, David Jones Jr. and Mary Gwen Wheeler, The Gheens Foundation, Austin and Janie Musselman, Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana, Chase Bank, Caesar’s Foundation, Sam and Bonnie Rechter Family Foundation, Delta Dental, with media sponsorship from WLKY and Louisville Public Media.
For more information on Cultural Pass and to download the app, visit culturalpass.app.
Summer Reading
Presented by the Library Foundation, the Library’s annual Summer Reading Program is a free 10-week program that encourages kids and teens to read for fun over the summer by offering prizes and incentives. Every child—from infant through 12th grade—who completes the program will receive a glow-in-the-dark backpack, along with passes to local attractions and sporting events like the Kentucky Science Center, Squire Boone Caverns, Louisville Bats, and select UofL sports. To complete the program, school-aged children simply read ten books, teens read six books, and preschool-aged children and younger need to read, or have read to them, 20 books.
For more information, or to register for Summer Reading, visit LFPL.org/SummerReading or call (502) 574-1611.
IMAGES:
Click here for a selection of images from Cultural Pass 2024
