Tom Musgrave
Host of Open StudioTom Musgrave is a senior public relations writer for the University of Kentucky and editor of the daily campuswide electronic newsletter UKNow. Prior to joining the UK staff, Tom spent nine years as the Kentucky Arts Council’s communications director. In 2018 he created the arts council’s monthly podcast, Kentucky ArtsCast, serving as primary host and executive producer. Tom’s first job in state government was working for Virginia Moore at the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Before joining Kentucky state government, Tom worked as a professional journalist for nearly 15 years. He wrote and edited for the Mt. Sterling Advocate, Georgetown News-Graphic and the now-defunct Thoroughbred Times.
In addition to his full-time work, Tom has been a contributor to The Lane Report, Business Lexington, and Kentucky Monthly magazines.
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PodcastsMark your calendars! The 2026 Kentucky Crafted Market takes place March 7 & 8 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Tom talks with Kentucky Arts Council Executive Director Chris Cathers about the annual showcase for Kentucky artists and craftspeople. -
PodcastsUniversity of Kentucky School of Art and Visual Studies lecturer and Louisville native, Shae Goodlett has been named the artist for the official 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival poster. Goodlett’s design, which was unveiled earlier this month, will be featured on the festival’s 2026 official merchandise line, including clothing, accessories, glassware and mugs. Host Tom Musgrave talks with Goodlett about the inspiration, journey and destination for his art. -
PodcastsFor over 60 years the Kentuckians Chorus has been entertaining and keeping barbershop harmonies alive and this week on Open Studio Tom Musgrave talks with four long-time members of the local vocal group. -
PodcastsThe University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts will present Violins of Hope UK, a weeklong series of performances, exhibitions and educational events February 10 - 14th. Violins of Hope features more than 70 violins, violas and cellos that survived the Holocaust — instruments once owned and played by Jewish musicians before and during World War II. Tom Musgrave talks with UK Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor John Nardolillo and collection co-founder Avshi Weinstein. -
PodcastsThis week on WUKY's Open Studio, Tom Musgrave talks with Mitchell Burleson, a University of Kentucky graduate student pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in studio art at the School of Art and Visual Studies in the College of Fine Arts, about winning the $50,000 Artfields Grand Prize. The prize is awarded annually to an artist from one of 12 Southeastern states.
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PodcastsThe Bill Gatton Foundation’s $150 million gift — one of the largest in UK’s history — will create a new home for the arts at the University of Kentucky. UK College of Fine Arts Dean Mark Shanda talks with Tom Musgrave about the project which will include a new CFA building, a modern performance theater and public greenspace that will anchor a growing arts and innovation corridor along South Broadway. -
PodcastsWUKY's Open Studio welcomes back Lori Meadows of Kentuckians for the Arts. She and Tom Musgrave discuss the current level of arts funding in Kentucky, in comparison to other states, and preview Kentucky Arts Day, Thursday January 22 in Frankfort. -
PodcastsThis week on Open Studio Tom Musgrave welcomes Vanessa Becker Weig, Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Voices Amplified (formerly known as The Girl Project.) The performance group empowers artists by generating brave and equitable spaces in arts education and theatre performance and connects artists, arts educators and community members by inviting collaborative continued arts education. Becker Weig talks about a very busy upcoming events calendar. -
PodcastsThis week on WUKY's Open Studio host Tom Musgrave talks with dancer and choreographer Lakshmi Sriraman, who brings the beauty of Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest classical dance traditions, to audiences across Kentucky. Her work bridges cultures through storytelling, movement and teaching, fostering connection and deepening cultural understanding. She recently was honored with the 2025 Governor's in the Arts Folk Heritage Award. -
PodcastsLexArts and the Arts and Health Alliance of Central Kentucky promote and integrate the arts into healthcare settings to enhance the well-being of patients, caregivers, and communities. Tom Musgrave talks about the collaborative concept with LexArts Vice President Nathan Zamarron.
