$150 million new Gatton gift to university elevates his donations to school to over $200 million
The University of Kentucky has entered a new era of possibility with the announcement of a stunning $150 million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation—an act of generosity that stands as the largest in the university’s history and one of the most significant philanthropic commitments ever made to the arts in the Commonwealth.
With this extraordinary gift, a long-envisioned dream will now take shape: a vibrant new arts district on the western edge of campus, a place where creativity, community, and culture will meet.
UK President Eli Capilouto described the gift as transformational, explaining that the new district will integrate the arts into one of the most dynamic and evolving intersections of Lexington—where the campus meets the city and where students, residents, and visitors naturally converge.
The vision includes a new home for the College of Fine Arts, a state-of-the-art theater capable of hosting major performances, and a beautifully designed pavilion and park that will link South Broadway and Bolivar Street to the broader cultural landscape surrounding Town Branch, Rupp Arena, Central Bank Center, and the Distillery District. It is both an academic investment and a community gift, one that promises to enrich Lexington’s cultural life for generations.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear hailed the announcement as a milestone not just for the university, but for the entire state. He praised the way the gift will help create a welcoming, inspiring district that elevates education, supports the arts, and strengthens Kentucky’s economic and cultural future. Legislative leaders echoed his enthusiasm.
Senate President Robert Stivers emphasized the momentum the project could bring to Kentucky’s growing film and creative industries, while House Speaker David Osborne reflected on Bill Gatton’s legacy as a champion of education and community—someone whose philanthropy consistently reflected the highest values of the Commonwealth.
This historic gift builds upon decades of extraordinary generosity from Bill Gatton, whose impact on the University of Kentucky is woven into nearly every corner of campus life.
A proud alumnus and one of the institution’s greatest benefactors, Gatton donated more than $200 million during his lifetime and through his foundation.
His philanthropy strengthened the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; elevated the Gatton College of Business and Economics into a nationally recognized center of excellence; reimagined the student experience through the Gatton Student Center; and opened doors of access and opportunity through innovative scholarship programs such as UK LEADS.
Every investment reflected his belief that education can transform lives and that Kentucky’s future is built on the success of its people.
As President Capilouto noted, “Place matters. And Mr. Gatton’s place was always Kentucky.” Gatton understood that a thriving state requires strong institutions, vibrant communities, and spaces where people can gather, imagine, and grow. He knew that progress is not only measured in economic development and academic achievement but also in the shared cultural experiences that deepen our understanding and replenish the human spirit.
The creation of the new arts district is a tribute to that philosophy. It is a living expression of Gatton’s belief in Kentucky’s potential—a gift not only of buildings and landscapes, but of inspiration.
Long after the construction is complete, after the first performances fill the new theater and students flood into the new College of Fine Arts, the true legacy of this gift will be felt in the creativity it sparks, the communities it connects, and the futures it shapes.
Bill Gatton dedicated his life and his resources to lifting his home state.
With this historic gift, his foundation ensures that his impact will continue to resonate in the hearts, minds, and imaginations of Kentuckians for generations to come.