The Golden Thread 2026

Experience what binds the Bluegrass State together.

On November 8, you are invited to join Kentucky Performing Arts and the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX) for The Golden Thread — a mainstage celebration of inspiring stories of civic leadership in Kentucky.

Over the course of an afternoon, you’ll experience visionary arts performances, artisanal food and cocktails, and a dynamic conversation between Kentucky’s arts and civic leaders on the ideas that root us in our heritage while moving Kentucky forward.

Since 2023, The Golden Thread has uplifted cultural treasures and unsung heroes in Kentucky. We have brought Charles Booker, Silas House, SG Goodman, Secretary of State Michael G. Adams, Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Secretary Lindy Casebier, and many others into conversation with each other and RUX’s mission.

In the past few years, we’ve gained a broader audience due to a recent feature in The New York Times and a tweet from President Barack Obama, and we are excited to share this conversation on one of Kentucky's biggest stages.