Kentucky Online Arts Resource
Welcome to the Kentucky Online Arts Resource (KOAR), a project of The Speed Art Museum. Launched in April 2006, KOAR is a free image database devoted to documenting the state's decorative arts, fine arts, folk arts, and design. Here, you can search for images of furniture, silver, ceramics, glass, textiles, paintings, sculptures, and other types of objects made or used by Kentuckians. The database also contains artists' depictions of the state's cities, towns, landscapes, and citizens. At present, KOAR focuses on Kentucky's pre-1950 artistic heritage. In March 2007, KOAR was awarded a Certificate of Commendation by The Historical Confederation of Kentucky and the Kentucky Historical Society.
KOAR is built upon the collection of Louisville's Speed Art Museum. Throughout 2008, the database will grow to include all of the Speed's Kentucky collection. In the succeeding months and years, KOAR will further expand to include images provided by other institutions and by private collectors. Information on participating institutions will appear on the KOAR Partners page. KOAR's development, operation, and free usage policy have been made possible through the generosity of numerous individuals and foundations. The Speed thanks these donors for their support and vision. They are listed on the KOAR Sponsors page.
KOAR is free to use: simply click on the Search KOAR button to begin.
Questions and comments may be directed to kydatabase@speedmuseum.org or by calling 502.634.2967.
