UNESCO Creative City

The United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Paducah, Kentucky a Creative City in November 2013 for the City’s important role in the connectivity of cultures through creativity. This global designation reflects the value of Paducah's numerous cultural assets and the commitment to immersing visitors in these authentic characteristics.

In 2018, the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau published Our Global Creative City: By the Numbers to celebrate the fifth anniversary of designation.

Meet the U.S. Creative Cities | Be inspired by the creativity and diversity of the nine designated UNESCO Creative Cities in the United States. From Paducah to Santa Fe, Austin to San Antonio, explore these videos and links to learn more.

UNESCO Creative Cities Network: Creativity for Sustainable Development

Paducah is one of nine UNESCO Creative Cities in the United States over 300 worldwide. Members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network are designated in seven creative fields: Crafts & Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music.

View Paducah Creative City Annual Report for updates!

Since receiving UNESCO Creative City designation in November 2013, new doors have opened for exciting partnerships with Creative Cities around the globe. Initiatives of the American Quilter’s Society, National Quilt Museum and other fiber art partners have supported the growth of the quilting tradition into a globally-recognized artform while the Paducah School of Art & Design and Paducah’s innovative artists and far-reaching attractions and events invite visitors to participate in the community’s authentic sense of place.

If you live, work, teach or create in Paducah, you contribute to the global reputation of our Creative City and can tap into this network.

Design a cross-cultural collaboration, tell your #PaducahCreativeCity story, promote your business and advocate for local culture. Contact the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau team, Paducah's focal point facilitating connections with the Creative Cities Network!