Singletary Center for the Arts 🇺🇸

Located on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington, Kentucky, the Singletary Center for the Arts is a premier fine arts complex that serves as a vital venue for artistic, cultural, and educational events. Originally opened in November 1979 as the Center for the Arts, the center was dedicated in April 1987 to Dr. Otis A.

Singletary, the university's eighth president. As a key part of the College of Fine Arts and the UK School of Music, it provides professional, full-service spaces for international, national, regional, university, and student performers alike. When you visit, you will experience a bustling cultural hub that hosts over 400 events every year and has welcomed more than 3.7 million patrons over its rich history.

You can catch a wide spectrum of live entertainment, ranging from dance recitals and comedy shows to engaging lectures by prominent speakers. Music lovers will appreciate an expansive array of genres hosted here, including orchestral compositions, choral arrangements, jazz ensembles, rock concerts, world rhythms, and traditional bluegrass performances. Renowned acts and speakers like Herbie Hancock, the Moscow Ballet, Bill Burr, and David Sedaris have graced its stages, making it an essential stop for high-caliber arts in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

What to see at Singletary Center for the Arts

• Historic fine arts complex situated on the University of Kentucky campus
• Hosts over 400 annual events across music, dance, comedy, and lectures
• Features diverse musical genres including jazz, orchestral, rock, world, and bluegrass
• Past venue for major figures like Herbie Hancock, Bill Burr, and the Moscow Ballet
• Serves as a vital full-service space for student, university, and international performers

Visiting tips

Check the schedule of events beforehand to catch everything from student showcases to famous guest speakers and international musical acts.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Evening for performances

How to get there & what’s nearby

Singletary Center for the Arts is easy to reach on Lexington’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Douglass Park and Lexington Opera House. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Lexington travel guide.