IDEAS xLab
Leveraging the power of arts, culture, and the creative industries to frame, seed, and scale innovation in health and wellbeing.
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(Un)Known Project

(UN)KNOWN PROJECT builds on Louisville’s movement toward racial equity and healing, leveraging arts and culture to facilitate difficult and necessary conversations as we continue on the road to freedom and transformation. 

The Project is a collaboration between artist-led nonprofit IDEAS xLab, the Frazier History Museum, Roots 101, various departments within Louisville Metro Government, and community artists and partners who will weave together poetry, photography, sculpture, public art installations and community-engaged experiences to create spaces for vulnerability and courage.

Current support for (Un)Known Project includes grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Humana Foundation, Foundation for a Just Society, Elhapa Foundation, Brown-Forman, Republic Bank, LG&E-KU and individual donors. Funds are still being raised - and donations are welcome and appreciated!

Email unknownproject@ideasxlab.com with questions or to inquire about public speaking, becoming an (Un)Known Project site, and more.

Media

Art as Activism: Josh Miller and Hannah L. Drake Share Inspiration for (Un)Known Project
University of Colorado Denver College of Arts & Media Press Room

"It brings tears to my eyes" - What you need to know for June 21, 2021 
WHAS11  

(Un)Known Project’s Memorial Honors Nearly-Forgotten Black People 
Stephanie Wolf for WFPL News 

Louisville ‘(Un)Known Project’ to highlight once forgotten names of Kentucky slaves 
WAVE3 

A history you can stand in | (Un)Known Project carves names of enslaved people 'On the Banks of Freedom'  
Tom Lally for WHAS11 

(Un)known Project's new public art along the Ohio River honors the enslaved on Juneteenth 
Billy Kobin and Sylvia Goodman for Louisville Courier Journal  

New installation on Louisville's riverfront honors enslaved Kentuckians
WLKY 

(Un)Known Project Juneteenth 2021 event live stream | Metro TV

On the Banks of Freedom Overview | Metro TV 

Bellarmine alum Josh Miller drives awareness for Pride Month and Juneteenth
Bellarmine University

'The Unknown Project' hopes to put spotlight on enslaved Louisvillians 
WLKY

On a Kentucky Riverbank, a Path to Remembrance 
Maggie Jones for The New York Times 

Louisville monument honors lives of people who were enslaved in Kentucky  
Spectrum News 1  

Black Louisvillians Lend Their Feet For ‘(Un)Known Project’ Artwork
Stephanie Wolf for 89.3 WFPL

The (Un)Known Project will honor Kentucky's forgotten slaves with art along Ohio River
Andre Toran for Louisville Courier Journal

'Somebody Knew Them': New Monument Will Honor '(Un)Known' Enslaved People
Stephanie Wolf for NPR

Art Project Acknowledging The Lives Of Unnamed Slaves Receives NEA Grant
Stephanie Wolf for 89.3 WFPL

New Memorial Will Honor Black People Whose Names Were Lost To History
Stephanie Wolf for 89.3 WFPL