Dan Forte is Director of Programming for the largest presenting venue in the state of Kentucky, so he has to serve a range of audiences. — Well, perhaps he doesn’t have to, but he has risen to the occasion. 

“Louisville is a place where opposites attract,” Dan says, which allows for the success of events like the Wau Wau Sisters burlesque variety show and the Color Purple and much in between. “We have a very religious constituency here in Louisville,” continues Dan, “but also a very liberal, Indy scene as well. We were named one of the top three cities in the country for gay couples to move to and yet we are home to two large seminaries. There is high-brow art and an underground Goth scene.” 

Because of this diversity, Dan was smart not to come in with preconceived ideas about programming here. Instead, he says he met with “anyone who would sit down with him,” from student activities groups to possible presenting partners in the community. From this understanding came one successful partnership with LEO Magazine, and the Little Off Center series was created.

“These shows aren’t for everybody,” Dan says, “but we have an audience for them. People said we wouldn’t sell even 100 tickets for John Waters when we brought him here, but we sold over 400.” 

That was also a unique booking which Dan made a community event. 21c Museum displayed some of Waters’ artwork, the Center showed two of his films and then there was his lecture. “We’ve also booked bands that have never played at an Arts organization before,” Dan continues, “which gives the Center’s ticket buyers something new and the recording artists a new audience as well.” 

The Center takes an approach that involves commerce, of course, and Dan says there is the objective to fill the halls. But with such diverse programming, the larger accomplishment is that the cultural offerings also educate and serve; Dan says that it's important to him that everyone feels welcome.