How to Book Performances

Please read these instructions carefully!

1. Contact your selected speaker or Chautauqua performer at least four weeks before your program date to find out if he or she will be available to talk to your group. You must contact your presenter before applying to KHC. If you don't, your program will not take place as planned.

2. Apply for funding by completing one application for each program (one form per program-do not double up) and returning it to the Council office along with the booking fee ($150 for a speaker, $175 for Chautauqua). Click here for the application form.

3. Await notification from the Council that your program has been approved.

4. Send a confirmation form to your presenter. KHC will pay the presenter's honorarium, mileage, and meals. Sponsors are responsible for lodging, if needed. KHC will provide lodging for school programs only. For school programs, click here.

5. Sign the confirmation form and the certification form and return to the Council within two weeks of receipt. This is your contract with us.

Other pertinent information about booking a Speaker or a Chautauqua presentation for your community organization:

A nonprofit sponsor is limited to one reduced-cost Kentucky Chautauqua program during the year. The reduced cost is $175.00.

Schools may book multiple programs.

Chautauqua is intended for audiences of forty or more. Please do not schedule for smaller groups.

A sponsor who desires additional Chautauqua performances can purchase them at our cost—$450 per program. You may charge admission to performances your group has purchased.

Please remember, you must contact the performer and confirm arrangements for reduced-cost or paid programs before submitting an application. If you don’t, your program will not take place as you planned.

Publicize your program effectively. Feel free to duplicate any part of this web site for use in your publicity efforts. (Kentucky Chautauqua programs will include a publicity kit.) A few publicity suggestions:

• Send news releases (preferably by e-mail) to newspapers and broadcast stations
• Send a newsletter announcing the program to members of your group
• Post flyers in prominent community locations
• Send Chautauqua photo postcards to any mailin lists you can get
• Arrange a telephone or e-mail publicity campaign

Sponsors of Kentucky Humanities Council presentations must acknowledge support from the Council and regional underwriters in all publicity materials and event programs. Printed credits should read, "This program was funded in part by the Kentucky Humanities Council, Inc. and (the regional sponsor(s) in your area - see page 1 of the catalog)." We will supply copies of the KHC logo. Or you can download the logo here.
Confirm again. One week before your program, call the presenter to review the arrangements.

Remember, the presenter may have a long drive, so please put the KHC presentation before the business part of your agenda, especially at evening events.

When you introduce your presenter, be sure to acknowledge the support of the Kentucky Humanities Council, Inc. and the regional underwriter(s) in your area.

Immediately after your program takes place, send in the evaluation form.

KHC will pay the presenter directly.

Questions or problems? Please call Cathy Ferguson, Speakers Bureau/Chautauqua Coordinator, at 859/257-5932.