from our foundeR
Elevate LEX
Where Creativity, Community, and
Opportunity Come Together
Lexington has always been rich in artistic talent. From musicians and performers to educators, makers, and young creatives just discovering their voice, the arts have long been part of the spirit of our city. Yet for all of this talent and energy, Lexington has never had a permanent civic home where performance, education, workforce training, and community life stand together under one roof. Elevate LEX was created to change that.
Our vision is to build a Civic and Community Arts Center that serves as a gathering place for creativity, opportunity, and connection — a place where artists perform, students learn, careers begin, and the community comes together. It will be a space designed not just for today, but for generations to come.
When a city invests in creativity, it invests in opportunity, education, and community.
Today, that vision is moving from idea to reality. This site represents the foundation of a campus that will bring arts education, cultural programming, and workforce development together in one place, creating new pathways for creativity and economic opportunity in Lexington.
Phase I of this effort focuses on securing the land, advancing architectural design, and positioning the project to unlock significant public and private investment.
What happens next will define the future of this project. Transformational community efforts like Elevate LEX are never built by one person or one organization. They are built by people who believe in the power of possibility — individuals, families, businesses, and civic leaders who see the value of investing in creativity, education, and the cultural life of a city.
Elevate LEX represents a rare and defining moment for Lexington: the opportunity to create something lasting that will serve artists, students, families, and visitors for the next century and beyond.The momentum is real. The opportunity is now. And the future of this vision will be shaped by those who choose to stand with it.
Dr. Gregory Turay
Founder & Executive Director
Elevate Arts KY
Gregory Turay is an internationally acclaimed tenor whose career has taken him to many of the world’s leading opera houses and concert stages. Celebrated for the richness of his voice and the emotional depth of his performances, Turay has appeared with major orchestras and opera companies across the United States and abroad, earning recognition as one of the most compelling operatic voices of his generation.
In addition to his distinguished performing career, Turay has become a passionate advocate for expanding access to the arts and strengthening cultural infrastructure in communities. As the founder and executive director of Elevate Arts KY, he is leading a bold effort to build a lasting cultural institution that supports artists, students, and audiences throughout the region.
Turay is the visionary behind Elevate LEX, a transformative civic and creative campus planned for downtown Lexington. The project will bring together performance venues, arts education programs, and STEAM-based workforce development labs creating a place where creativity, learning, and community intersect.
Driven by the belief that the arts are essential to a thriving city, Turay continues to champion initiatives that expand opportunity, nurture emerging talent, and position Lexington as a dynamic center for culture, creativity, and innovation.