Josephine Sculpture Park

What Josephine Sculpture Park does

Josephine Sculpture Park (JSP) is a Kentucky-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating Kentucky's only dedicated outdoor sculpture park on a 40-acre site at 3355 Lawrenceburg Rd, Frankfort, Kentucky, founded in 2009 by Melanie VanHouten on her family farm and named after her grandmother. The organization curates and maintains more than 70 (some sources 80+) large-scale rotating sculptures across mowed trails through native meadows and reforested areas, open free to the public every day from dawn to dusk, supplemented by an Art in Public Places (AiPP) program that places approximately 30 additional installations throughout Frankfort, bringing total public artwork exposure to over 100 works across 4.5 miles of trail. The park also runs an Artists-in-Residence program (resuming in 2025) that has hosted more than 40 resident artists and engaged over 1,000 artists from 27 states and 15 countries, alongside arts-and-environment field trips serving approximately 750 students per year across 25 trips, and signature annual events including the Symphonic Stroll (with the Lexington Philharmonic, sold out at 750 attendees in 2023), the Barn Raisin' fundraiser, SoundScape festival, and Joy Full gratitude gathering.

Revenue is sourced from a diversified nonprofit mix: individual donations and memberships support approximately half of the annual budget, with the remainder drawn from ticketed events, corporate sponsorships (Expree Credit Union, Harrod Concrete & Stone Co., Ale-8-One, 84 Lumber), and grants from foundations and government agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts, Kentucky Arts Council, Kentucky Foundation for Women, Snowy Owl Foundation, Onassis Foundation USA, and the Ruth Foundation for the Arts (2024 Artist Choice Award). Operational reach is concentrated in Kentucky with strong civic and educational ties (City of Frankfort, Franklin County Public Schools, Kentucky State University, Centre College, University of Louisville Hite Institute, Kentucky Green Schools, Audubon Society, WalkBike Frankfort), supported by a small team of approximately 5 staff and a board that added nonprofit-law and landscape-architecture expertise in 2023. The 2024-2025 stated direction is to grow park footprint, install new works, and scale the residency program, indicating ongoing programmatic rather than financial scaling.

Name

Josephine Sculpture Park

Legal name

Josephine Sculpture Park

Website

https://josephinesculpturepark.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Josephine Sculpture Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating Kentucky's only outdoor sculpture park on 40 acres in Frankfort, offering free year-round public access to 70+ large-scale sculptures, plus artist residencies, field-trip programming, and rotating community events funded by donations, grants, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Sculpture Park / Public Art

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Museums (71211)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Educational & Edutainment Parks (Science/Discovery/Children’s Parks) (THAJAEAG), Art Museums (THAJADAA)

Keywords

• Outdoor sculpture park
• Public art exhibitions
• Artist residency programs
• Arts education field trips
• Conservation nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfort

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct public donations support approximately half of annual budget. Year-end giving campaigns like '7 Days of Giving' with matching challenges.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership with benefits supporting free public access to the park.
3. Event Tickets & Fundraisers: Ticket sales for events (Symphonic Stroll, SoundScape), Barn Raisin' intimate fundraiser with auction, and sponsorship revenue.
4. Government & Foundation Grants: Support from National Endowment for the Arts, Kentucky Arts Council, Kentucky Foundation for Women, Snowy Owl Foundation, and others.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorships from Expree Credit Union, Harrod Concrete & Stone Co., and others for events and programs.
6. Art Sales & Commissions: Art in Public Places program generates revenue through sculpture sales with percentage retained for programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Josephine Sculpture Park operates a free, 40-acre outdoor sculpture park in Frankfort, Kentucky, featuring over 70 rotating large-scale contemporary sculptures along mowed trails through native meadows and forested areas. The park delivers this through integrated programs: the main sculpture park, Art in Public Places (30+ installations across Frankfort), Artists-in-Residence, school field trips, and signature events (Symphonic Stroll, SoundScape, Barn Raisin').

Product overview

Josephine Sculpture Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating Kentucky's only dedicated sculpture park. The organization offers multiple integrated programs: the main 40-acre park provides free year-round access to over 70 rotating sculptures; the Art in Public Places program extends public art throughout Frankfort with approximately 30 installations; the Artists-in-Residence program supports artists creating new large-scale works; and educational field trips serve students across Kentucky. Signature events include Symphonic Stroll (with Lexington Philharmonic), the Barn Raisin' fundraiser, and SoundScape festival. The park also offers membership and donation programs, a newsletter subscription service, and volunteer opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Art in Public Places: JSP program that curates and maintains public art installations in downtown Frankfort, at Expree Credit Union, and West Sixth Farm.

Products and services

• Josephine Sculpture Park (Main Park) 40-acre outdoor sculpture park in Frankfort, Kentucky featuring over 70 rotating large-scale sculptures along 2 miles of mowed trails through native meadows and newly forested areas. Free public access, open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk.
• Art in Public Places Program Program that curates and maintains approximately 30 public art installations throughout Frankfort, including locations at Expree Credit Union, West Sixth Farm, and the Arts Downtown exhibition. Extends JSP's reach beyond the park boundaries.
• Artists-in-Residence Program Residency program offering studio access, stipends, materials support, mentorship sessions, and exhibition opportunities for artists developing new large-scale outdoor works. Residency periods up to 10 weeks.
• Field Trips and Educational Programs Guided and self-guided field trips for K-12 and university students that blend arts and environmental education aligned with Kentucky Academic Standards. Hosts approximately 750 students annually through 25 field trips.
• Symphonic Stroll Annual immersive music event where Lexington Philharmonic musicians perform chamber music paired with sculptures throughout the park, with Lexington Ballet dancers and food trucks. Tickets: $25 adults, $11 students/youth.
• Barn Raisin' Fundraiser Annual intimate fundraiser held in the park's historic tobacco barn featuring live music, dinner, and curated auctions to support educational programming and land conservation. Limited to 200 attendees.
• SoundScape Festival Evening music and arts festival featuring live performances, immersive art installations, and illuminated sculptures with electronic music throughout the Park grounds. Tickets: $25 adults, $11 youth.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership subscription program providing exclusive benefits to supporters while sustaining free public access to the park.
• Joy Full Gratitude Gathering Annual end-of-year family-friendly celebration featuring live music, artmaking, and community gratitude gathering in the event barn.
• Newsletter Subscription Email newsletter subscription service that keeps subscribers informed about park events, news, and upcoming artist opportunities, with first access to event tickets.

Quantifiable outcome

• 130,000+ annual visitors served
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Kentucky Foundation for WomencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026New KFW x JSP Artist Residency partnership supporting artists in developing projects informed by the park. Applications open July-August 2026.
• Expree Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor for events, exhibition location for Art in Public Places sculptures. Logo featured on event materials and park signage.
• Harrod Concrete & Stone Co.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Major event sponsor for Soundscape and Symphonic Stroll. Supports Art in Public Places installations.
• City of FrankfortflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Art in Public Places program and transit center mural installation. Commissioned artwork for downtown locations.
• Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist & Convention CommissioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Tourism promotion partner directing visitors to JSP and Art in Public Places installations.
• The AshventureminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for bi-weekly Yoga in the Barn wellness program, part of Wellness in the Wild initiative.
• WalkBike FrankfortminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Monthly Sculpture Trail Club - social running/walking group exploring park trails.
• Red Oaks Forest SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Monthly free Art Club for all ages, combining art and nature education.
• Ale-8-OneminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor for SoundScape 2026 festival.
• Kentucky State University Cooperative ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023KSUCEP uses JSP as educational site for sustainability and natural resource conservation programs. Students create virtual programming on rainwater capture, reforestation. Partnership supports JSP's conservation mission.
• Wild Birds Unlimited (Frankfort)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Manages bluebird trail of 11 nest boxes with volunteer monitors. Partnership supports wildlife habitat conservation and citizen science data collection through NestWatch.
• Kentucky Green SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023JSP joined as community partner. Offers field trip experiences blending arts and environmental education. Supports network of Kentucky Green Schools.
• Franklin County Arts Council / FrankArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Jury team partnership for Art Downtown exhibition selection process.
• The Local HoneysminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Kentucky folk music duo performed at Barn Raisin' 2023 fundraiser. Montana Hobbs and Linda Jean Stokely.
• Holly Hill & Co. / Chef Ouita MichelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Catering partnership for Barn Raisin' fundraiser. Ouita Michel's restaurants serve Kentucky-grown products.
• Kentucky Association for Environmental EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023JSP is a proud member. Shared commitment to environmental education and community engagement.
• Equal Justice InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaborated on historic marker placement at Singing Bridge to commemorate lynchings of Marshall Boston and John Maxey.
• Lexington PhilharmonicflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Annual Symphonic Stroll partnership where LexPhil musicians perform chamber music paired with sculptures throughout the park. Partnership began 2021, sold out 2023 with 750 attendees. Lexington Ballet also partners for dance performances.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Grounds for Sculpture: 42-acre sculpture park in Hamilton, NJ with rotating exhibitions, artist residencies, ticketed admissions, and seasonal events — comparable scale, mix of free and paid programming, and education focus.
• deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum: 30+ acre New England sculpture park and contemporary art museum combining outdoor installations with indoor gallery programming and ticketed admissions — direct parallel for museum-park hybrid operations.
• Laumeier Sculpture Park: St. Louis–area 105-acre outdoor sculpture park with free admission, artist residencies, education programs, and ticketed special events — strong model match for free public access plus monetized programming.
• Franconia Sculpture Park: Minnesota outdoor sculpture park on 50+ acres featuring rotating large-scale sculptures and an artist residency program. Founder Melanie VanHouten trained here as a Jerome Fellow, making it the most directly comparable operating model.
• Storm King Art Center: 500-acre outdoor sculpture park in New York's Hudson Valley featuring large-scale installations integrated with landscape, with paid admissions and an artist exhibition program — the largest comparable category benchmark.
• Socrates Sculpture Park: NYC outdoor sculpture park with an artist residency program (Socrates Annual) and free public access, mixing commissioned temporary work with community programming — closely matched operating model and mission.
• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Grand Rapids, MI combination botanical garden and sculpture park with ticketed admissions, art residencies, and educational programming — shares JSP's nature-and-art integration model with operating admissions.

Regional players

• Speed Art Museum: Kentucky's largest art museum, located in Louisville, with comparable arts-education programming, K-12 field trips, and major foundation relationships in the same state funding ecosystem as JSP.
• Kentucky Artisan Center: State-operated tourism and arts destination showcasing Kentucky artists and crafts along I-75 — shares the public art / tourism nexus and Kentucky-state funding sources that JSP partners with.

Broad incumbents

• 21c Museum Hotel: Contemporary art museum chain with a Louisville property combining boutique hospitality with free public contemporary art exhibitions — comparable contemporary-art positioning and free-admission programming model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/josephine-sculpture-park-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Josephine Sculpture Park