Ada Limón
the James Baker Hall Foundation
Supporting Kentucky Writers
AWARDS. COMMUNITY. CONFERENCES.
FELLOWSHIPS. GRANTS. MENTORING.
PROMOTION. PUBLICATION. RECOGNITION.
RETREATS. VALIDATION. WORKSHOPS.
our mission
The Mission of the James Baker Hall Foundation is to support and promote literary excellence in Kentucky Letters through funding deployed to writers across the Commonwealth using direct initiatives and regional grants.
our goal
The goal of the James Baker Hall Foundation is to ensure that future generations of Kentucky writers continue to produce work that is good enough to garner national and international recognition.
our Vision
Our vision is Kentucky, a good place for writers; a place where they are from and where they come to. Kentucky, a place writers call home.
our Values
creativity
COMMUNITY
COLLABORATION
CHARACTER
our programs
The James Baker Hall Book Award & Kentucky Writers On the Road
James Baker Hall was a working artist. He was known for his relentless commitment to making art and tireless mentoring of younger artists. He believed we all bear the responsibility to identify and support the next generation of artists.
The James Baker Hall Book Award and Kentucky Writers on the Road authors tour are our foundation initiatives forming the core of the Foundation’s work. They recognize the value of all artistic creation while maintaining the expectation of excellence in literary work and facilitating the community of all Kentucky writers.
Grant Programs in Support of Kentucky Writers
Proactively working with others increases the impact of the James Baker Hall Foundation’s mission. Through our grant programs we collaborate with a variety of extraordinary groups and individuals across the Commonwealth who work to support our literary creatives. We identify where good work is already being done and provide help to do more of it! We identify where the components exist to do good work and help facilitate getting a new program started.
“The James Baker Hall Foundation has made a remarkable contribution to the artistic life in Kentucky. Its willingness to form partnerships and to connect people around the state to one another and to the joy that comes from creating in community is inspiring and is making life here better.”
Robert Gipe, author and educator, Hazard Kentucky, 2025
