The Downing Performing Arts Academy was established in 2002 to provide advanced musical instruction to students and adults in the Maysville area. Traditionally, students and their families had to travel to Cincinnati, Lexington, or other out of town locations to receive higher levels of music education. It became the goal to bring university professors here so students could remain in town for their lessons and classes. Since that time, the Academy has welcomed younger students and even established the region's first Kindermusik program.  Organ was added to the curriculum in 2007, another first for our area. In 2012, the school moved into the historic Cox Building in the heart of downtown Maysville.

     Since opening its doors, the Downing Academy has enrolled hundreds of students, many of whom have used their training and talent to become principals in their school orchestras, win lead roles in theatrical productions, obtain college scholarships, and entertain and enrich the community through musical arts.

     The Downing Academy is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization made possible through the generosity of the Gordon Lee and Elsie Downing Fund for the Arts and the Limestone Youth Orchestra.