Hometown Proud

Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grants

Now open for applications, the grants will provide up to $10,000 per project to eligible organizations. Funded projects will take place between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, with a focus on strengthening Northern Kentucky’s cultural and economic vitality.

How to Apply

To be eligible for the Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grants, organizations must:

• Have 501(c)(3) status or operate as a nonprofit with an established fiscal agent within the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN MSA, which includes: Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio; Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, and Pendleton Counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn, Franklin, and Ohio Counties in Indiana.

• Have a primary mission focused on arts or cultural heritage programming that benefits Northern Kentucky communities.

Full grant guidelines and application details will be available at artswave.org/nkygrants.

ArtsWave, the Cincinnati region’s leading arts funder, and meetNKY, Northern Kentucky’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, have announced the launch of the Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grants —a new initiative designed to use the arts to drive economic growth, strengthen communities, and highlight Northern Kentucky’s unique cultural identity.

“This innovative partnership with meetNKY allows us to build on our longstanding investment in Northern Kentucky,” said Alecia Kintner, president and CEO of ArtsWave. “By deepening our commitment to creative placemaking, we're not just supporting individual artists and organizations—we're catalyzing economic growth and fostering an even stronger sense of community to unify the entire region.”

Creative placemaking has been proven to deliver measurable economic benefits, from increased foot traffic for small businesses to higher property values and job creation. According to Americans for the Arts, arts-driven development stimulates local economies and boosts tourism—making it an essential strategy for regions like Northern Kentucky that are looking to grow.

“Creative placemaking projects not only boost our region’s appeal as a destination for meetings, conventions, and tourists, but they also instill pride in our residents,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY. “This partnership connects us even closer with ArtsWave’s vast capabilities and networks, tying Northern Kentucky to the region’s vibrant arts ecosystem.”

Lisa Sauer, former co-chair of the ArtsWave Campaign and retired P&G executive, offers a resident’s perspective, “As a Northern Kentucky resident, I'm thrilled to see this targeted investment in our community. We know that the arts have the power to transform neighborhoods, attract visitors, and improve quality of life for everyone. This grant is yet another tool for building growth in Northern Kentucky and the region as a whole.”

Looking Forward

Summerfair Emerging Artists Exhibition

Clifton Cultural Arts Center
3412 Clifton Ave.
Opening reception: Thursday, Feb. 13, 6 to 8 p.m.
Exhibition continues through Feb. 28

More at www.summerfair.org.

While Cincinnati has a vibrant history as a strong arts center, its future as a cultural center is also bright.

Each year Summerfair Cincinnati presents the Emerging Artists exhibition, featuring works by junior and senior art students from Greater Cincinnati colleges.

This exhibition is an important part of Summerfair’s mission to support young artists in the region through awards, scholarships, and exhibitions. These young artists represent the next generation of artists on the local art scene. They are nominated by their professors, juried by Summerfair, and are given the opportunity to exhibit their work among their peers.

“This exhibition not only showcases some of the best young talent in our region, it also helps these artists develop the skills needed to be part of exhibitions as they move forward in their careers,” says Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director. “They get first-hand experience about communicating with directors, preparing their works, and attending an opening reception.”

This year, the works will be shown in the new Clifton Cultural Arts Center, which opened last spring. CCAC the first purpose-built community arts center in the city of Cincinnati. The 20,000 sq. ft., sustainably built building features a two-story glass-front art gallery, multi-purpose classrooms, performance and meeting space, as well as a green rooftop terrace. 

The artists in this year’s exhibition represent seven area schools and feature works in a variety of media.

Art Academy of Cincinnati:
Margaret Faulkner, Tom Schneider, Elizabeth Zajkowski

Miami University:
Jordan Prewitt, Kit M. Soares, Lana Traum

Mount St. Joseph University:
Jensen Orbegozo, Kerigan Pollard, Madison Taylor

Northern Kentucky University:
Jessie Crawford, Taryn Frank, Alexandra Agnus Hoegermeyer

Thomas More College:
Haleigh Spare

University of Cincinnati | DAPP:
Ethan Fessler, Sophia Kroto, Venus Yam

Xavier University:
Briana Dunn, Megan Dodds, Molly Jachim

The Emerging Artists Exhibition continues through Feb. 28. The gallery is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Easy Tiger

The Broadway Across America touring production of Life of Pi and Broadway in Cincinnati presented a behind-the-scenes look at the visually stunning show, playing through Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Aronoff Center. Members of Life of Pi’s production team and cast explained their methods, the show’s impact, and answered questions from students from UC’s College Conservatory of Music and School for the Creative and Performing Arts, many of whom were treated to opening night tickets for the show.

Taha Mandviwala, a London, Ky. native who got his start at Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park, stars as Pi. Guests at the behind-the-scenes event got a surprise appearance from Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger at the center of the story, and the three world-class puppeteers who bring him to life.

Good news: Broadway in Cincinnati has announced rush tickets are available through the end of the show. Tickets will be 50% off current pricing at the Aronoff Center box office, two hours prior to the performance, while supplies last. 

Based on the novel that sold more than 15 million copies and became a worldwide phenomenon, Life of Pi is an epic story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation.

After a shipwreck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi survives on a lifeboat with four companions— a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world-class puppetry, and exquisite stagecraft, Life of Pi creates a breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.

Get tickets at cincinnatiarts.evenue.net/events/LPI.

For Art’s Sake

Support Arts in the Region

Donations come from individuals in workplace giving campaigns at more than 200 regional companies, special fundraising events and direct giving at artswave.org/give. As a thank-you, ArtsWave offers exclusive donor benefits, such as Reds and Music Hall tickets, behind-the-scenes experiences with FC Cincinnati and arts organization and exclusive events and affinity groups.

The 2025 ArtsWave Community Campaign runs through the end of May. To donate or learn more, visit artswave.org. To download the new ArtsWave App, visit artswave.org/app or search in your preferred app store.

From BLINK to the Young Professionals Choral Collective and neighborhood arts centers throughout the region, ArtsWave supports more than 150 local arts organizations, projects, and artists.

Now you can help support ArtsWave!

The 2025 ArtsWave Community Campaign—the region’s primary source of funding for the arts and the largest community arts campaign in the nation—began this week. During an event held in Cincinnati Art Museum’s new Marek-Weaver Family Commons. Mel Gravely, 2025 Campaign Chair and executive chair of Triversity Construction, led the kickoff, welcoming community and arts leaders, including guest speaker Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, to rally support for this year’s campaign.

The 2025 ArtsWave Community Campaign begins amid a wave of cultural momentum for the Cincinnati region. Last year’s BLINK, illuminated by ArtsWave, broke attendance records, drawing over 2 million visitors to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Cincinnati was ranked among the top 20 most arts-vibrant regions in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year by SMU Data Arts and USA Today named the region #1 in the nation for street art.

This year, Cincinnati’s growing reputation as a national arts hub will be further reinforced when ArtsWave partners with Americans for the Arts to host its national convention in the city for the first time. Additionally, many ArtsWave-supported organizations are expanding their reach with new and revitalized spaces: The historic Emery Theater is being restored by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, the Fitton Center for Creative Arts is opening a satellite education facility in West Chester, ArtWorks debuted its new home in Walnut Hills, the Clifton Cultural Arts Center opened its new facility, FotoFocus is building a permanent home, the Cincinnati Art Museum recently unveiled the Marek-Weaver Family Commons and more.

Reflecting on this momentum, Gravely emphasized, “As I look around the region in 2025, I see growth and vitality fueled by the arts. This didn’t happen by accident. It happened through decades of intentional and consistent investment in arts organizations, artists and creative spaces by folks in the region. ArtsWave's unique model of garnering annual community-wide support is the foundation for our arts sector’s success.”

The 2025 campaign theme, “Discover Together,” highlights the power of the arts to build connections. Gravely underscored the importance of this theme, saying,

“The arts help us create understanding and bridge divides. Every regional achievement we’ve highlighted reflects this, and each new or revitalized arts space strengthens that connection. We experience the arts together,” says Gravely. “They help us discover the way forward together. Now, we need to support them—together.”

ArtsWave President & CEO Alecia Kintner reinforced the need for continued investment.

“Each year since 1927, our community has come together to build a stronger region through the arts. The stable foundation built over these many years pays dividends today as we witness firsthand how the arts are shaping our region’s identity,” says Kintner.

Gravely emphasized the importance of this campaign building on last year’s record-breaking success, saying.

“We know that we can look forward to amazing results this year. We also know there may be headwinds. 2024 was an extraordinary year chaired by Jon Moeller and Lisa Sauer.” he says. “But, the $12.5 million raised last year for the arts should not be an anomaly, it should be the foundation for the future. It’s how we keep arts groups strong, how we keep kids experiencing field trips, how we keep our region’s cultural vibrancy. Our goal is to continue this fabulous momentum for the 2025 campaign and beyond.”

That momentum is already taking shape. Gravely announced that the Executive Leaders Challenge has gained strong early traction, thanks to the efforts of his campaign cabinet of volunteers (list below) and to a generous challenge grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which matched the first 100 gifts of $5,000 or more with an additional $500. As of the kick-off, that number had been reached with more contributions still coming.

Messing Around

I Need That
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St.
Feb. 8 – March 2

Performances Tuesday–Saturday, 7:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm.
Tickets and info at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

Tickets for adults start at $30; student tickets are $28; and children are $24.
Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (adult tickets only), by phone or in person.
$15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only.

Did the New Year inspire you to purge your wardrobe, clean out the basement, or generally get rid of your old junk? If trying to make those decisions was a little harder than you thought it would, I Need That, opening Saturday at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is the perfect show for you!

ETC kicks off their first show of 2025 with the regional premiere of the comedy by award-winning playwright Theresa Rebeck (Bad Dates, NBC’s Smash).

Rebeck, a Cincinnati native and Broadway’s most-produced female playwright, will also direct this new hilarious, heartfelt, and human play about a curmudgeonly father, his exasperated daughter, his patient best friend, and life’s messes. Following its successful Broadway run starring Danny and Lucy DeVito, the play is making its way to Cincinnati.

“I got a phone call one day from Theresa Rebeck . . .THE Theresa Rebeck and she said, ‘I’d like to direct this play at ETC’,” says Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “It feels like this show was gifted to us at the right time and with the right people. Theresa pioneered very rough terrain in the film, television, and theatre industry and has changed the face of female writers forever. Her writing is so good that it cannot be ignored.”

Sam doesn’t get out much. Actually, he doesn’t get out at all, opting instead for the safety of his house in the company of his things—his many, many things. But when a notice from the government arrives alerting Sam that he must clean up his property or face eviction, he’s forced to reckon with what’s trash, what’s treasure, and whether we can ever know the difference between the two.

David Wohl makes his Ensemble Theatre debut as Sam. He has been an actor for more than fifty years, working on and off Broadway, in regional theaters, in movies, and on television. He recently played the filmmaker Eroll Morris in Rob Ackerman's play Dropping Gumballs on Luke Wilson, directed by Theresa Rebeck at the Working Theater in New York. Some of his film credits include Terms of Endearment and Revenge of the Nerds.

Kenneth Early, last seen at ETC in Who All Over There? plays Foster. He has been seen regionally at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and the Human Race Theatre Company in Dayton, Ohio. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA, and his film credits include White Noise, Miles Ahead, UFO, Chain of Command, Dark Waters, and Dusk. 

Maggie Lou Rader plays Amelia. She was last seen at ETC as Lizzie in Maytag Virgin. She has performed regionally with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Human Race Theatre Company, Florida Studio Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Kitchen Theatre, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Rader is also a national award-winning playwright and resident artist at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Art and Activism

Vivian Browne: My Kind of Protest
Contemporary Arts Center. 44 E. Sixth St.
Opens Friday, Jan. 31, continues through May 25.

More info at cincycac.org

The Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) presents the first comprehensive museum retrospective of the artist, activist, and educator Vivian Browne (1929–1993).

Vivian Browne: My Kind of Protest, opening Friday, highlights Browne’s contributions to 20th-century American art through her distinctive approach to color and form, her challenging of traditional categories of abstraction and figuration, and her work at the intersections of art and social commentary. Bringing together 45 paintings and works on paper across several key series, including previously unknown works and ephemera from the artist’s estate, the exhibition uncovers the depth of Browne’s four-decade-long career and her enduring commitment to activism and education.

Vivian E. Browne at the Huntington Hartford FoundationSummer 1964

Seven Deadly Sins, c. 1968

Oil on canvas. 59 x 112 inches (151.1 x 284-1/2 cm). Collection of the artist’s estate

Bini Apron, 1973 

Acrylic on canvas. 48 x 50 inches. Collection of the artist’s estate

cover.jpg

With an expressive hand and expansive worldview, Browne navigated the Black Arts and Feminist movements with passion and purpose, joining artist groups that advocated for inclusion. Informed by what Browne described as “emotional landscape(s),” her paintings and prints address the politics of race and gender, respond to her international experiences, and reflect on her love of nature and ecological concerns. Although she was immersed in the vibrant New York arts scene of the 1960s and 1970s alongside renowned artists such as Faith Ringgold, Norman Lewis, Emma Amos, and Robert Blackburn, the true scope of her work remains largely under-recognized.

Co-organized by the CAC and The Phillips Collection (Washington, DC), and co-curated by Amara Antilla and Adrienne L. Childs, the exhibition will be on view at the CAC through May 25, before moving to the Phillips Collection this summer.

“The CAC has a rich history of presenting early one-person shows of influential women artists, such as Marina Abramović (1987) and Lorna Simpson (1993), as well as being known nationally known for showing Robert Mapplethorpe's controversial The Perfect Moment at the height of the 1990s Culture Wars, making us well-positioned to facilitate a deeper understanding of Vivian Browne’s artwork and activism,” says Christina Vassallo, Alice & Harris Weston Director at the Contemporary Arts Center. “We are honored to present Vivian Browne: My Kind of Protest and introduce scholars and visitors to the art and activism of Vivian Browne, an African American artist whose work remains little known despite her significant impact and ideas on race, gender, social justice and ecology that still reverberate today.”

My Kind of Protest assembles works inspired by Browne’s extensive travels, including in China, Africa, and California. Her journeys are documented in a visual travelogue of paintings and drawings, with her African Paintings series evoking a dual sense of yearning and estrangement from ancestral lands. Politically charged pieces such as her Little Men series from the late 1960s offer a poignant portrayal of whiteness and patriarchy. The series, consisting of 100 works, 70 of which still survive, uses grotesque and humorous exaggeration to reveal the sinister nature of racism and toxic masculinity through satirical portraits of white men as irritable and infantile.

Through her portrait, landscape, and abstract paintings, Browne created works that provide social and political commentary from her perspective as a Black female artist. Inspired by her local communities and global travels, her art reflects how her life experiences were shaped by the intersectional forces of racial and patriarchal oppression. Her art resisted the political expectations to focus on Black nationalism, instead being more of a personal expression as a Black female artist. As she stated in a 1985 interview, “Black art is political. If it’s not political, it’s not Black art.”

“The Phillips Collection has long been a platform for American artists like Vivian Browne who innovate, motivate, and challenge the status quo,” says Jonathan P. Binstock, Vradenburg Director & CEO at The Phillips Collection. “We are excited to present Vivian Browne’s dynamic body of work to explore how it enhances our understanding of the complexity and beauty of American art and its diverse histories, particularly in relation to issues of feminism, power and politics, race, gender, and the natural environment.”

As a politically engaged artist, Browne was involved in several activist organizations. She served as an initial director of the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition (BECC) and joined Where We At (WWA) in 1971, a community of Black women artists striving to create space for those overlooked by the predominantly male-led Black Arts Movement. Additionally, she was an active member of the Women’s Caucus for Art (WCA), Soho20 Gallery, and the Heresies Collective, a feminist publication exploring the intersections of art, feminism, and politics.

“Vivian Browne's work, often overlooked in her time, reflects how she navigated the expectations placed on Black artists in the ‘70s and ‘80s,” says Adrienne L. Childs, Senior Consulting Curator at The Phillips Collection. “Her protest was about resisting the expectations placed upon her as a Black artist during a time when many were expected to produce figurative work. Instead, she advocated for her own individual artistry, blending personal narrative with broader social commentary. This unique approach makes her work incredibly relevant today, inviting viewers to engage with complex themes that resonate deeply.”

Browne was deeply committed to education, beginning her teaching career in the 1960s, when she taught humanities in primary and secondary schools. From 1971 to 1992, she served as a faculty member at Rutgers University in Newark, where she taught contemporary Black and Hispanic art, painting, and other fine arts courses. As an artist, teacher, and activist, she cultivated global experiences, traveling extensively across the United States, Mexico, Jamaica, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, West Africa, and China. During the mid-20th century, a global movement emerged within the Black diaspora, celebrating Black creativity and the synergies among Black artistic expressions in Africa, Europe, and the Americas. For many Black American creatives in the 1960s and 1970s—the years in which Browne came of age as an artist and activist—the idea of Africa held powerful, multifaceted implications.

The exhibition also highlights her late-career paintings and works on paper from the late 1980s and early 1990s, which reflect her attentiveness to the interplay between humanity and the natural world. These include lyrical landscapes and grid-like compositions juxtaposing electrical towers with ancient sequoia trees. “My painting is informed and determined by many spatial experiences,” Browne wrote, “top edge of the world vistas, engulfing underwater depths, mystical inner earth enclosures.” Her late-career works embrace a distinctive form of gestural abstraction, embodying a deep intimacy and reverence for nature.

“Browne’s art transcends simple categorization; it is both a celebration of her unique experiences and a powerful critique of societal norms,” says Amara Antilla, Independent Curator. “By embracing her love of color, gesture, and abstraction, she carved her own path. Her dynamic use of color and form challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of art and activism, making her an essential figure in American art history.”

it’s a Date

Check out the new calendar at cincyae.com.

To explore the wealth of arts and entertainment options in Greater Cincinnati, download the ArtsWave App, available on the App Store and Google Play.

You can never say “I don’t know what’s going on this weekend.” ever again!

With the recently launched Cincy A&E calendar from ArtsWave, you can find a comprehensive list of arts and entertainment events around the region.

Through a groundbreaking initiative working with partners including Cincinnati Arts Association, Everything Cincy, Memorial Hall, PromoWest and 3CDC, ArtsWave has developed he area’s most comprehensive calendar for cultural events..

“This level of collaboration is a testament to our vibrant arts community,” said Alecia Kintner, President & CEO of ArtsWave. “Cincy A&E represents a shared vision of making our rich cultural offerings more accessible than ever before.”

With more than 900 events listed – more than double the number from the former calendar – Cincy A&E aggregates information from an unprecedented array of sources. In addition to being the main calendar source for all of Cincinnati's nonprofit arts events, major ticketing platforms such as TicketMaster, CincyTicket, and Eventbrite contribute to the extensive listing. The calendar also integrates events from regional cultural cornerstones.

The calendar’s sources continue to grow, with Great Parks, and “Movers & Makers” set to be incorporated soon. This expansion ensures that Cincy A&E remains the most up-to-date and comprehensive resource for arts and entertainment in the region.

The impact of Cincy A&E extends beyond its primary platform. Several community partners have integrated the calendar into their digital presence.

“Cincy A&E is a game-changer for our readers,” remarked John Fox, editor-in-chief of “Cincinnati Magazine,” which has integrated event picks and the full calendar on its homepage. “By featuring this calendar, we’re providing an invaluable service that aligns perfectly with our mission to be the definitive guide to living well in Greater Cincinnati.”

Soapbox Cincinnati has similarly integrated the dedicated arts and entertainment calendar with a top navigation events tab.

"The addition of the Cincy A&E Calendar to our platform enhances our ability to showcase the dynamic communities and people of Cincinnati,” says Patrice Watson, Soapbox Cincinnati publisher and managing editor. “It's a perfect fit for our focus on the region's vibrancy and growth.”

Cincy A&E stands as a natural extension of ArtsWave's commitment to fostering a thriving arts ecosystem. This innovative calendar not only simplifies event discovery but also strengthens the bonds between cultural institutions, artists, and audiences across the region

Moment of Truth

ArtsWave, Cincinnati's engine for the arts, has awarded $222,000 in grants to 26 local BIPOC artists through its 2025 Black and Brown Artist Program. Now in its fifth year, this initiative supports artists who challenge audiences to envision a more equitable future through the lens of Truth and Innovation.

“This year’s cohort of Black and Brown artists represents some of the best of Cincinnati’s creative spirit,” said Alecia Kintner, President & CEO of ArtsWave. “Their projects, spanning film, dance, literature, music, and visual arts, will not only push artistic boundaries but also spark crucial conversations about identity, equity and our shared human experience.”

Projects by this year’s grant recipients will explore themes deeply resonant with contemporary society, such as preserving cultural heritage and addressing mental health challenges in minority communities. Projects include Ashley Glass’s documentary on inspiring diversity in behavioral health, Ingrid Woode’s tribute to classical pianist Geneva Woode, Brandon Hawkins’ mural celebrating the Black Autism community, and more (projects listed below).

The Black and Brown Artist Program is part of ArtsWave's commitment to fostering a more inclusive arts ecosystem. By providing financial support and visibility to BIPOC artists, the program supports one of ArtsWave's long-term strategic goals: bridging cultural divides and elevating historically underrepresented voices in the arts.

The program’s impact extends beyond financial support. Grant recipients participate in professional development workshops focusing on grant writing, project management, and business development—equipping them with tools for sustainable artistic careers.

“By investing in these artists, we’re not just funding projects – we’re nurturing the next generation of cultural leaders who will shape Cincinnati’s artistic identity for years to come,” added Kintner.

Michael Thompson, a previous grant recipient and now a Mentor and Showcase Coordinator within the grant program, is one of those leaders, “The program has been vital to my early career, helping me connect with the arts ecosystem, build meaningful relationships, and refine my ideas professionally. The grant funding gave me the autonomy to bring my artistic visions to life—an opportunity artists rarely have.”

The Black and Brown Artist Program is made possible through partnerships with the City of Cincinnati and Duke Energy, as well as annual ArtsWave Campaign donors, underscoring the community’s collective commitment to fostering diversity in the arts.

As in previous years, ArtsWave is planning a professional showcase featuring all 26 funded projects. Dates and locations for the event will be revealed in the coming months, promising a celebration of creativity, diversity and the transformative power of art.

2025 Black and Brown Artist Program Project Descriptions

Ashley Glass | Inspiring the Future of Behavioral Health

This short documentary aims to address the critical shortage of minorities in the behavioral health field by highlighting the need for diversity and inspiring young individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in mental health, counseling, social work, and related disciplines. Through powerful storytelling, the film seeks to educate, motivate, and empower viewers to consider the behavioral health field not just as a career choice, but to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Doug Hilson | Eterna Bloom

“Eterna Bloom” is a film about a serum meant to save, but at what cost? When a desperate biochemist’s experiment goes wrong, his wife’s miraculous recovery spirals into a fight for her sanity. The line between life and identity blurs. Can love survive when the mind breaks? Filmmaker Doug Hilson challenges audiences to reflect on identity, memory, and the societal implications of healthcare disparities, inspiring a conversation about the value of life and the truths we hold dear.

Alicia Redmond | Willows – A Limited Series - Episode 1

Inspired by Redmond’s short film, “Willows,” and the rich history of Lincoln Heights, the first incorporated African American community above the Mason-Dixon line, Willows - A Limited Series will be loosely based on this story. Set throughout the early 20th century, the series explores the lives of Dorothy and Katherine, estranged sisters reconciling their relationship, as well as highlight some of the struggles and triumphs of the community's residents as they fight to preserve their identity and legacy in the face of discrimination and societal change. 

Ingrid Woode | Cakewalk

“Cakewalk” is a short documentary about Cincinnati-born classical pianist prodigy and lifelong educator Geneva Woode, who started her career in the aftermath of the civil rights movement. From contributing to the recordings on some of James Brown’s biggest hits, and playing with symphonies, to being a Cincinnati Public Schools music teacher, Geneva’s influence stretches across many genres and generations. This film celebrates her resilience, talent, and impact on American music and education, offering a moving tribute of a woman who shaped culture while overcoming societal obstacles.

Gabriel Martinez Rubio| HOME

HOME is a project divided into two parts. There will be three bilingual, Spanish and English, workshops for children in the community introducing them to movement and shadow puppetry. The participants will develop their creativity by creating characters or objects with which they identify and learn about themselves through the creative process. The second part of the project is a contemporary dance piece that includes a video created from stories of Cincinnati residents. Through interviews, these residents will tell us about their concept of home, and will invite us to reflect on diversity, inclusion, migration, human rights, and love.

Freda Epum| I Dream of Labor: Disabled in a Productive World

“I Dream of Labor” is an essay collection by a Black disabled woman artist, exploring her navigation of capitalism as a worker in the attention economy. During the pandemic, her career quickly advanced with a promotion, but burnout soon followed. Seeking guidance, she scoured personal development books and turned to social media, hoping to find other girl bosses like herself. However, she discovered a lack of representation for Black and disabled girl bosses in these spaces. This absence led her to delve deeper into her experiences and connections. In her work, the artist examines her parasocial relationships with everyday Black women and disabled individuals.

TT Stern-Enzi| God Sent Me

“God Sent Me” is the third part of a book-length project that blurs the lines between fiction and non-fiction. The overall project is comprised of a series of personal essays & interviews called “Stepping In (To Fatherhood),” an incomplete novel based on the artist’s desire to create their father on the page before meeting him in-person called “Finding Father”, and a collection of short stories that explore the personal mythology of the artist’s absent father and prostate cancer journey.

Óscar Salamanca Alarcón | Así Somos: Echoes of Migration

“Así Somos: Echoes of Migration,” a journey through migration, told through the universal language of music, features six songs representing Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador, Chile, and Guatemala. Each explores the paths these communities have taken, their resilience, and their impact on Cincinnati. The artist will perform using traditional instruments and a loop station, creating an authentic, layered experience. Each song will invite reflection on the mental, physical, and social aspects of migration, celebrating stories, culture, and connection through sound.

Ziaire Sherman| What's Next

“What’s Next” is a series of masterclasses for all skill levels, offering a close look at how spontaneous moments evolve into building blocks for growing musical expression. These workshops will allow composers to hear their music played live with real-time feedback. These jam sessions will create a safe space for Black and Brown creatives to thrive. Accompanying these events, Ziaire’s ensemble, Zion, will be developing their EP, RYB which showcases how spontaneous creation can be cemented.

Myles Ellington Twitty| True Blackness

“True Blackness” is the artist’s debut album featuring frequent collaborators: Josh Kline on Sax, Dan Karlsberg on Piano, Justin Dawson on Bass and Phil Tipton on Drums. This project will feature arrangements of pieces from the Black diaspora including “Wade in the Water,” “Strange Fruit” and others. It will also feature two original compositions. The album celebrates the beauty that can be found in Black culture.

Isaiah Armstrong| What remains in the gaps

Armstrong’s father, a firefighter, lost his life in the line of duty on March 21st, 2003. By using this personal touchpoint of loss, the artist seeks to revisit and hold space for what has grown in his father’s absence by photographing the candid moments of work (on self, in community, in the home) that keep his memory alive in the lives of the ones he was close to.

Kevin Auzenne| Illuminated

“Illuminated” is a new painting project inspired by the use of biased literacy tests given by southern officials to impede free and fair elections during the civil rights era of the 1960’s. This new series will present a painted version of the ‘correct’ answers to these pernicious test questions, in the style of medieval illuminated books, which themselves were the province of the wealthy and powerful.

Karla Batres Gilvin| Breaking Truths

“Discover Breaking Truths” is an immersive exhibit featuring seven unique piñatas, each addressing vital socio-political issues like health, race, and immigration. The project also includes a public breaking ceremony where spectators can engage with these striking sculptures, symbolizing the need to dismantle systemic barriers. The ceremony will include live music, refreshments, and meaningful discussions to reflect on shared stories and aspirations for equity.  

Michael Coppage| “DROP YOUR WEAPON!” from the 12 Commandments series

A series of hyper-realistic sculptures about the real fear Black Americans have of dying at the hands of police, police overreach, and abuse of power. The series highlights how even during times of compliance, these commands end in the death of Black individuals. This project is not meant to demonize law enforcement and will not include any visual elements that demean, undermine or negatively present the police department. Coppage hopes to create space for conversations related to the realities of Black American life while creating a model for care and compassion for law enforcement.

Ximena Flores| Resilient Roots: Incan Beliefs and the Beauty of Nature's Endless Flow in the Eternal Cycle of Life and Death.

“Resilient Roots” is an art exhibition exploring Incan beliefs about life, death, and the endless flow of nature. Using natural materials like dried flowers and fibers, I create immersive and interactive artworks that celebrate life’s eternal cycle. Inspired by the Incan reverence for nature, the pieces reflect harmony and respect for the Earth. This exhibition honors Flores’ Latin American heritage and invites viewers to engage with themes of resilience, renewal, and interconnectedness, sparking dialogue on cultural identity, sustainability, and the cyclical nature of existence.

Emily Hanako Momohara| Grounded

“Grounded,” started in the wake of the Atlanta Spa shootings, is a portrait project uplifting the immigration journey of Asian American and Pacific Islander families (AAPI) and the womxn who are the backbone of our communities. Large-scale imagery, photographs, and elements from the landscape create a connection between AAPI womxn and the places that shape us as Americans.

Brandon Hawkins| Out of the Shadows: Celebrating the Black Autism Community Creatively

For too long, Black children with Autism have faced unique challenges and isolation. Local Artist & Muralist Brandon Hawkins, non-profit organization-Our Tribe, and resourceful community partners will create a powerful mural project with the Black Autism Community in Cincinnati. Young artists will learn valuable skills, design a mural, and boldly share their stories with the world. The project aims to break down stereotypes, foster inclusion, and celebrate the incredible talents of our community.

Jeni Jenkins| Here in The Middle: Colors of colorism, bodies in margins

This socially engaged art project aims to illuminate the experiences of mixed-race women through community workshops, interviews, and photoshoots. By collaborating with this dynamic community, the project will explore multicultural identities and concepts of belonging and acceptance through a decolonizing, anti-racist feminist lens. It seeks to deepen our understanding of power dynamics and facilitate transformative dialogue. Culminating in a multifaceted exhibition featuring audio, photography, and painting, it will create a rich storytelling experience that amplifies the resilience and narratives of these women while including Jenkins’ personal journey, fostering connection and understanding within and beyond our communities.

Jay Kalagayan| Vincent Manago Hambright: Filipino American Boxer

Vincent Manago Hambright, a Filipino American boxer, soldier, and victim of racial violence, is brought to life in a graphic comic book and art exhibit. This project explores his life, from his boxing career in the 1920s to his tragic death in 1946. Through this work, the artist aims to shed light on the often-overlooked contributions of Asian Americans and Filipino Americans to the Midwest, particularly in sports and the community. 

Jonh Lanzador| Not a Mail-Order

In this series of 7–10 photographs, Lanzador delves into the intimate moments shared between white and Asian couples, challenging the narrative that often reduces mixed-race relationships to stereotypes like mail-order brides. The goal is to encourage viewers to see the beauty and complexity of love beyond preconceived judgments, fostering understanding and appreciation for diverse partnerships.  Through each photograph, the audience is invited to recognize the individuality of each couple and to celebrate their unique stories without bias.

Ciara LeRoy| For Your Convenience

“For Your Convenience” will use paintings, sculpture, and advertisement-like visuals to create an immersive “shopping” experience that mimics a convenience store trip, but the products are deeper than they appear at first glance.  The project will show how liberation is often very inconvenient while we as Americans love convenience. Convenience keeps many populations on the margins and in positions of subjugation and suffering.

Noel Bassam Mohammad Maghathe | Over Everything

“Over Everything” explores Maghathe’s personal and shared experiences of displacement, grief, and resilience in Palestine. Using family archives and new photographs intertwined, the artist will navigate the impossibility of returning home and the struggle to preserve memory across distance and time. By layering transparent fabric photographs, Maghathe reflects on the ephemeral nature of memory and cultural identity, grappling with loss and a deep longing to return to Palestine. This May, this work will be shown at SawtoothGallery in Tasmania.

Lisa Merida-Paytes| The Halos Project

“The Halos Project” seeks to develop new concepts using traditional Hispanic weaving techniques with sustainable materials to create two collaborative installations abstractly investigating themes of redefining, repurposing and generational dysfunction of genes and systems communicating with the whole body. The work drives examination and permits curiosity uncovering aspects of human nature and wonder of origin. As a Hispanic artist living with disabilities caused by Spinocerebellar Ataxia 5, Merida-Paytes understands transformative, physical changes that result from progressive, neurological diseases and hopes to generate an awareness of ways in which bodies are impacted by disabilities.

Julia O. Bianco| Juntas

Artist and ecologist Julia Orquera Bianco will engage with the Latinx/immigrant women, survivors of domestic violence, at local nonprofit Casa de Paz. For six weeks, Bianco will facilitate workshops on mindfulness practices, artmaking, and nature connection for this community in need of mental and emotional health support. This will culminate in a small publication and an art showcase at The Welcome Project. Bianco will create a body of watercolors, cyanotype and text work, to be exhibited at the artist showcase in July 2025.

Sherman Parnell| New Mission

Over five months, this project will focus on developing advanced painting skills, navigating grant writing, and exploring the business side of art. Artists will produce individual and collaborative works through a “factory-style” approach, building large-scale pieces and preparing for an exhibition. This project is all about creating sustainable art careers, celebrating diversity, and showcasing powerful new work in our community.

Brian Taylor| Magia Circumcirca Liberationem

Part one of “Magia Circumcirca Liberationem” (Magic Amid Liberation) is a multidisciplinary project aimed at drawing attention to Radical Reconstruction — an important historical period in the United States in the fight against racism and exploitation. Using science fiction, fantasy and ancient mythology Taylor writes short historical fiction excerpts and creates metal-based artifacts (storied to be made by gods, magical and/or futuristic beings) designed to aid the struggles of the downtrodden.

Snow Much Fun

Get cozy and creative at the Contemporary Arts Center this Saturday, for their Winter Family Festival: Pajama Party.

Bring the whole family to watch movies in C through the CAC’s “Reels on Wheels” exhibit, try some snow fort building, make snow-themed art and more!

“First off, pajamas and cozy clothes are very much encouraged! Where else can you wear your pajamas to a museum?” says Elizabeth Hardin-Klink, creative learning director at the CAC.

Family Festival: Pajama Party!
Saturday, Jan. 25, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. Sixth St.
cincycac.org

“The entire floor is filled with winter-themed science and art projects that the whole family is sure to love! There's a hot chocolate warm up station with whip cream and marshmallows, a snow fort building section for those who'd like to flex their architecture skills, and of course, buckets of indoor snowballs for an epic battle of parents versus kids.” says Hardin-Klink. “We’ll also have the Cindependent Reels on Wheels trailer playing family-friendly short indie films for families to snuggle up giant bean bags and watch together.”

The projects include creating a winter gnome garden using clay and miniature items that children can take home, designing wooden snow wands using metallic paint, bedazzled jewels and streamers, and collaborative painting on giant slabs of ice, experimenting with salt, watercolors, and different tools to design an ice print to take home. 

“I think in the wintertime families are often stuck indoors and looking for an excuse to leave their homes and have some fun! The CAC is lucky enough to have a giant Creativity Center where it's ok to let out some energy, get creative, and make a mess,” says Elizabeth Hardin-Klink, creative learning director at the CAC. . “The indoor snowball fight is always a big hit too, with both the parents and the kids!”

Young at Art

Saturday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m.
Site 1212
1212 Jackson St.

Step into an "Avant-Heart" evening taking inspiration from tragic opera divas and a twisted Valentine's Day. Channel the essence of dark romance with a touch of the dramatic, inspired by iconic operatic characters and intense emotions.

Admission for 21+ only includes performances by Cincinnati Opera artists, performance and live art experiences.

More at my.cincinnatiopera.org/donate/contribute1.

ArtsWave, the engine for the arts in the Cincinnati region, is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Young Professionals (YP) and Pride Grants. These grants, totaling over $100,000, will fund innovative programs that engage young professionals and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, further cementing Cincinnati's reputation as a national center for the arts.

The new year of programs begins Saturday, Feb. 1, with Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals “Bacchanal: Avant-Heart.” Taking inspiration from tragic opera divas and a twisted Valentine's Day, Avant-Heart channels the essence of dark romance with a touch of the dramatic, inspired by iconic operatic characters and intense emotions. This mid-winter party helps to raise funds in support of Cincinnati Opera’s vibrant 2025 arts programming. 

“These grants represent ArtsWave’s commitment to fostering a thriving, inclusive arts community that resonates with all segments of our diverse population,” said Alecia Kintner, President & CEO of ArtsWave. “By supporting programs that engage young professionals and celebrate LGBTQIA+ voices, we're not just enriching our cultural landscape – we're driving economic growth, enhancing education, and building a more connected community.”

The awarded grants align with ArtsWave’s strategic vision of making Greater Cincinnati a more vibrant and connected community through the arts. They support programs that will enliven neighborhoods, fuel creativity and learning, and bridge cultural divides, contributing to the region's reputation as a hub for artistic excellence and innovation.

These grants reflect ArtsWave’s dedication to nurturing a dynamic, inclusive arts ecosystem that strengthens the entire Cincinnati region. By supporting these innovative programs, ArtsWave continues to drive its vision of a community where the arts are universally accessible and recognized as a catalyst for growth, learning, and unity.

Young Professionals Grants

The ArtsWave Young Professionals (YP) Grant Program began in 2016. It provides support for programming that engages young professionals and is funded in part by donations from young professionals to the 2024 ArtsWave Campaign. To learn more about ArtsWave YP, visit artswave.org/yp.

Cincinnati Opera | Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals

Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals (COYP) introduces new audiences to opera through social events and discounted opera tickets. It was created to increase engagement with Cincinnati Opera for young professionals in our region. COYP activities are created and led by members of the Cincinnati Opera Board Associates (COBA), a cohort of young professionals, in coordination with Cincinnati Opera staff. These activities help to develop a personal investment with Cincinnati Opera and establish a peer network for deeper engagement in the community as a whole.

Cincinnati Preservation Association | Young Preservationists Program

The Young Preservationists Program offers experiences for young professionals to learn about and connect over local architecture and design. Monthly events like behind-the-scenes building tours, social mixers, field work and bike tours showcase the diverse, historic buildings of our region — many of which house local arts organizations. The Young Preservationists Committee partners with arts organizations to provide art activations like photography walks, curated soundscapes and culturally relevant performances. The organization aims to introduce a new wave of preservationists to its mission of protecting the region's endangered historic buildings.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | Cincy Shakes YP Preview Night

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's YP Preview Night brings young professionals to the first public preview performance night of each Mainstage Show, offering a subsidized ticket rate that includes a complimentary beverage. Afterwards, participants chat with members of the CSC artistic team and provide feedback or share insights. This program provides area Young Professionals with a mid-week outing to relax and socialize, as well as a chance to add their voices to the art-making process.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra | CSO Listening Lounge

CSO Listening Lounges are social music-listening experiences outside of the Orchestra's main stage concerts. Audiences gather in Music Hall's Wilks Studio for an informal listening experience. Large screens allow for easy viewing of the live (or pre-recorded) concert. They can enjoy a specialty cocktail, mingle, move about the studio and discuss the ongoing concert while reclining on plush seats. Staff members, conductors and guest artists will be on hand to provide context for the work and answer questions. Children are invited to a specially designed May Festival MiNiS program, designed for musicians ages 0-12, in another section of the Wilks Studio.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati | Show Up!

Show Up! fosters an inclusive environment for young professionals to connect, discover Over-the-Rhine and support local businesses while engaging with important social issues. As many young professionals graduate, relocate or navigate new careers, Show Up! invites both newcomers and long-time Cincinnatians to dive into the city's dynamic arts, culture and food scenes. Ensemble Theatre invites young professionals (ages 21-40) to gatherings designed around the organization's productions. Each event takes attendees to a local business for a discussion of the work, including its social impact. Show Up! aims to create a welcoming and thoughtful space for examining themes and issues relevant to both art and society.

The Ghostlight Stage Company | Shining A Light Workshop and Lecture Series (2025)

The Ghostlight Stage Company's Shining A Light program is a dynamic, educational workshop and lecture series, designed specifically for young professional artists. The Ghostlight is a leader in unique, cutting-edge lectures and education workshops, training arts professionals as they begin their careers. Workshops include:

Feb. 10: Taxes for Artists with Leanne Greenberg

March 10: Teaching Transitioning Voices with Danielle Marie Steel

April 14: Intimacy Direction, Dramaturgy and Cultural Sensitivity with Torie Wiggin

May 12: Casting Beyond the Binary with Shira Helena Gitlin

Taft Museum of Art | Taft at Twilight

Taft at Twilight is a program by young professionals for young professionals. It cultivates an inclusive community and vibrant arts experiences for the contemporary and curious. It offers unique experiences where you can meet like-minded individuals and get involved in the local arts community. All Taft at Twilight events are networking opportunities where attendees can connect with their creativity and see the museum galleries for free. Young professionals on staff in departments across the museum run the program.

Young Professionals Choral Collective | Create, Engage, Connect

Create, Engage, Connect is a series of free events that introduce young professionals to the YPCC experience while helping them to reflect on their experiences of connection and engagement. The series includes a social art event, sing-in rehearsal, community service project and concert. Young professionals seeking connection and belonging can find it by participating in the arts. YPCC is committed to meeting these needs by expanding opportunities for artistic engagement that foster community and connection.

ArtsWave Pride Grants

The ArtsWave Pride Grant Program provides funding for arts or cultural heritage projects that promote and/or celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, advancing Cincinnati’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community through the arts. For more information about ArtsWave Pride, visit artswave.org/pride. 

American Sign Museum | Signs & Spouses: A Sparkling Celebration of Marriage Equality

This unique celebration marks the 10th anniversary of marriage equality with a public vow-renewal ceremony set against the museum's collection of historic signage. The event features a specially curated exhibition of signs from LGBTQIA+-led businesses throughout history, sharing the stories of these pioneering establishments and their impact on the community. Participants will enjoy performances by queer-identifying artists and support from LGBTQIA+-owned vendors, coming together in a comprehensive celebration of progress and community.

Art Academy of Cincinnati | Where We Thrive

This month-long celebration of LGBTQIA+ creativity culminates in a Queer Prom event that reimagines traditional celebrations through an artistic lens. The program features an art exhibition showcasing LGBTQIA+ artists and allies, complemented by interactive elements including a non-binary fashion show and drag queen makeup tutorials. The initiative creates multiple platforms for creative expression while fostering a sense of belonging and celebration within the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Cincinnati Arts Association | Project Shattered Silence Pilot

This transformative seven-month program provides LGBTQIA+ high school students with a safe space to develop their voices and share their stories through performance art. Meeting weekly, participants build confidence and community while exploring their identities through guided storytelling exercises. The program culminates in a powerful live performance at the Aronoff Center, where students share their personal narratives with the broader community.

concert:nova | Memory Box

This innovative performance project combines contemporary classical music with immersive visual art to explore LGBTQIA+ experiences. Centered around composer Sarah Hennies' work, the program features performances by local LGBTQIA+ musicians who contribute their personal stories to the piece. Set within a custom-designed installation by artist Lizzy Duquette, the performance creates a multi-sensory experience that bridges musical expression with broader conversations about identity and representation.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati | Where Do THEY Fit In?

This comprehensive program uses theatrical performances as a springboard for exploring diverse LGBTQIA+ identities and experiences. Through a series of facilitated discussions following select productions, the program addresses topics ranging from gender identity and pronoun usage to the intersection of cultural and LGBTQIA+ experiences. Each discussion features perspectives from different segments of the LGBTQIA+ community, creating opportunities for deeper understanding and connection.

The Ghostlight Stage Company | “Late, A Cowboy Song” by Sarah Ruhl

This production brings Sarah Ruhl’s exploration of gender identity and self-discovery to the Falcon Theatre stage. The story follows Mary’s journey through her relationship with Red, a nonbinary cowboy who introduces her to new possibilities of freedom and expression. The production will be complemented by post-show mixers and community partnerships, creating opportunities for dialogue about gender identity, self-expression and representation in the arts.

Pones | Fringe Project 2025: Sharing Rural Queer Stories

This groundbreaking project captures and preserves LGBTQIA+ experiences from rural areas through a unique combination of film and dance. Centered around stories from Lebanon, Kentucky and surrounding areas, the project addresses the isolation and lack of support often faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in rural communities. The resulting production, premiering at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, will combine recorded narratives with live performances incorporating music, dance, theatre, spoken word, burlesque and drag to create a powerful, multi-dimensional storytelling experience.

Young Professionals Choral Collective | The LGBTQIA+ City that Sings

This ambitious two-year project begins with a community dialogue event that will inspire a newly commissioned choral work celebrating LGBTQIA+ experiences. The recorded conversations from this event will provide both thematic material and actual lyrics for the new composition. The project culminates at BLINK in 2026 with a collaborative performance, featuring singers from multiple Cincinnati choral organizations in a powerful celebration of community through music.

For more information on ArtsWave’s affinity and networking groups, please visit artswave.org/groups.

Picture It

by Jackie Reau

National eyes will be on Cincinnati’s arts scene in 2025.

Over this next year, leaders of America’s creative economy will pay a visit to Cincinnati for their annual meetings and to learn about how Cincinnati leads with cultural vibrancy.

The Americans for the Arts annual convention will visit in June, the Association of Film Commissions International and the American Association for State and Local History Museums both convene in Cincinnati in September.

Earlier this month, Cincinnati maintained its status on another prestigious national list, thanks to its arts community. SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, released its annual ranking of the most arts-vibrant communities in the United States.

The 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index once again includes the Cincinnati region among the top 20 large communities. The Cincinnati region is the only one in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana to be named to the list of large communities. Other Midwest cities joining Cincy are Chicago, Milwaukee and Nashville.

This ranking is determined through a data-driven analysis of arts supply, demand, and government support across more than 900 communities nationwide. Cincinnati has earned a spot on the list every year since its debut in 2020.

“In the Cincinnati region, our community recognizes that the arts are not just a nice-to-have, they are a necessary part of the economy to the tune of $1.6 billion in economic impact over the last four years,” says Alecia Kintner, President and CEO of ArtsWave, the region’s main source for arts funding and the community’s local arts agency (LAA). “This report is yet another proof point that our arts in Cincinnati are a significant driver of the vibrancy that is coming to define our region.”

Among the study’s metrics, Cincinnati ranks in the top 1% for earned program revenue, such as ticket sales, and in the top 2% for total compensation for arts workers. “This highlights the strength of our arts industry and our ability to attract high-quality creative talent that enhances our region’s growing reputation as a national creative hub,” says Kintner. “This growth is the result of decades of strategic, philanthropic investment in the arts by individuals and businesses, and the index provides a tangible way to showcase the return on that investment.”

Cincinnati is also on the short list to become the new home of one of America’s most prestigious cultural events, the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027. The new host city for the festival will be announced this spring.

During a Sundance site visit this summer, Film Cincinnati CEO Kristen Schlotman toured the contingent from theatre to theatre, all within a three-mile radius and easily accessible by foot or free streetcar.

Also during the site visit, Kintner invited 30+ cultural leaders from museums, theaters and performing arts groups to meet the Sundance group. Conversations immediately led to collaborations among the Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati Pops and Children’s Theatre, and many more. These cultural collabs happen regularly and easily in Cincinnati.

These cultural institutions have also been a part of $750 million infusion of capital investments in Cincinnati arts over the last decade and would easily accommodate the film festival at its state-of-the-arts venues.

In October, Cincinnati welcomed two million visitors to its downtown and Northern Kentucky neighborhoods with BLINK Cincinnati, now the largest festival in America featuring over 80 interactive installations by dozens of muralists, light installation and projection artists.

In the fall of 2025, Cincinnati will kick off America’s 250th national celebration with a signature event called America’s River Roots. The five-day event from Oct. 8–12 will honor America’s river culture with live music, cuisine and thematic river cruises along the Ohio River. Another million or so are expected for this event.

Cincinnati puts its money where its mouth is. Some 30,000 donors contributed nearly $13 million last year to the ArtsWave community campaign to support more than 100 arts groups. It’s the largest such campaign to support the arts in America and has been for many years. A campaign so important to the city that P&G CEO Jon Moeller and his wife, Lisa Sauer, led it.

Annual attendance at arts performances, museums and concerts outperforms Cincinnati’s beloved pro sports teams. On any given evening, you may see a soprano from the opera singing the national anthem at a ball game.

Each July, Paycor Stadium, the home to the NFL, shares the stage with the Cincinnati Music Festival, America’s largest R&B music festival and the city’s largest annual tourism weekend with an economic impact of $107 million each year. Summerfair Cincinnati, the city’s largest outdoor art fair, is regularly recognized as a top 10 art festival in America.

As America’s creative economy visits Cincinnati this year, they will learn about a number of creative collaborations including the Cincinnati Pops performing the song book of Tina Turner, the Taft Museum’s 250th celebration of J.M.W. Turner and his watercolors from their collection and the Cincinnati Art Museum, and Ensemble Theatre’s staging of 2024 Tony nominee, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, and so much more.

Stage Whispers

To say Cincinnati is an art town is an understatement. Hailed as the “Paris of the Midwest” in the 19th century, that legacy continues, as Cincinnati has once again been named one of the top-20 most arts-vibrant communities in the country. (The fourth time we’ve had that distinction!)

From large scale events (like BLINK!) to showcasing the work of individual artists, the choices for favorites this year reflect the absolute embarrassment of riches Cincinnati arts have to offer. Special shout-out to “Six” from Broadway in Cincinnati, which was huge hit with our arts fans.

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“Cincinnati Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker!”
–Lauren Artino

Six at Broadway in Cincinnati

“Every musical we see via our Broadway In Cincinnati series season tickets has been amazing!”
–Julie Calvert

“Hands down, Six musical. It was INCREDIBLE. And closely followed by that was obviously BLINK.”
–Megan Coffey

“Blink (of course).”
Tim David

“I really enjoyed Six at the Aronoff!”
–Shae Huth

“BLINK”
–Susan Fisher

“I don’t think I could pick just one! We have so many high-quality, impactful arts experiences across this region that I can't imagine narrowing it down.”
–Alecia Kintner 

“Of course it was BLINK. I love this event that takes what we see every day and makes it surprising.”
–Julie Kirkpatrick 

“To Sir With Love” party at Cincinnnati Opera.
– Evans Mirageas

“Broadway in Cincinnati is always my favorite. Mrs. Doubtfire was surprisingly fun and heartwarming, Beetlejuice was memorably hilarious and I loved Six so much it was my third favorite ‘artist’ on Spotify Wrapped. Their lineup for 2025 is impressive as well!”
–Kathrine Nero

“Broadway in Cincinnati's Funny Girl was a delight!”
– Krista Katona Pille

“BLINK!”
– Tasha Pinelo

“‘The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century’ at the Cincinnati Art Museum.”
–Jackie Reau

“It’s hard to pick one, but I have to go with Liverpool Oratorio at Cincinnati Opera. This was production was a world premiere, the first fully staged performance of the piece written by Sir Paul McCartney. I had the chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the set design and watch a dress rehearsal. Seeing the process – and the dedication – not just of the Opera, but also the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, and Cincinnati Boy Choir was awe-inspiring.”
– Tricia Suit

“BLINK! I always love seeing the streets filled with people experiencing the incredible installations. It fills me with a sense of hope.”
– Courtney Tomasetti

“Summerfair 2024 – I may be biased but this year’s event was so great. The artists (350) were spectacular, the weather was great, and the crowd was fun all weekend. So looking forward to 2025!”
–Jayne Utter

“Cuisine Art Cocktails at the CAC!”
– Christian Vassallo

Face the Music

Resynator (2024)

Director: Alison Tavel

Writers: Kathryn Robson and Alison Tavel

Starring Jon Anderson, Fred Armisen, and Christian Castagno

Resynator can be streamed now on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.  

On the surface, the movie Resynator is a music fan’s treat, an origin story of the development of synthesizers in pop music in the ‘70s and ‘80s. But the film is much more than that—it’s a raw tale of personal discovery that was written, directed and lived by Cincinnati native Alison Tavel, whose mother still lives in Greater Cincinnati and whose story also is part of this multi-layered documentary, which was screened with the support of Film Cincinnati earlier this month at the Esquire Theater.

The basis for the story is Alison’s search to learn more about her father, an Indianapolis-based musician and early-adapter computer geek who developed a portable, simpler way to come up with the synth sound with a gizmo called the Resynator. By plugging in a guitar or microphone into the Resynator, which looks like a VCR machine with a lot more switches, musicians could tweak a few knobs and come up with tones that mimicked sounds like a tuba, a clarinet, a trumpet and more through their instruments.

But while the Resynator was praised by musicians and music producers alike, nothing ever came of the invention—and no one could explain why. When Alison finds a Resynator packed away in her grandmother’s attic in Indianapolis, it becomes the portal to learn more about his personal story. You see, her father, Don Tavel, was killed in a car accident less than three months after Alison was born.

Her search to learn more about her father through the Resynator takes her around the world as she meets with musicians and producers who worked with and knew Don Tavel and, just as importantly, knew his back story. Cameos include Peter Gabriel, Jon Anderson from Yes, Fred Armisen and producer Mark Ronson, among others.

While Don Tavel was praised as a genius, Alison soon learns that he had a dark side that looms over the family like a sour note. His drive for perfection and his thirst for acceptance within his own family may have been one of the reasons his invention never took off—and contributed to his rocky relationship with Alison’s mother.

Alison’s search teaches her much about her father, but in the process she learns so much about herself—perseverance in resurrecting the Resynator, searching for information about her father within her family, facing some of the truths that few wanted to discuss. It’s a documentary that Alison left her job as tour manager for best friend Grace Potter to continue—a documentary that started well before COVID, that won this year’s audience award for best documentary feature at SXSW, the best documentary award at the Lake County Film Festival and best documentary award at the Japan Indies Film Festival. It’s a story about music, yes, but it’s a story about family, about discovery and about dreams that die hard.

 – Betsy Ross

Ray of Sunshine

Summerfair 2025
May 30–June 1
Coney Island

Get tickets at www.summerfair.org.

The calendar may say December, but it’s the perfect time to think about Summerfair! Tickets are now on sale for Summerfair 2025, set for May 30 to June 1 at Coney Island.

“Summerfair tickets are a great holiday gift,” says Jayne Utter, Summefair’s managing director. “What better way to say summer is right around the corner when it’s this cold!”

Perhaps best known for the annual art fair, Summerfair is dedicated to supporting young artists, individual artists, and community-based arts organizations throughout the year.

“Our three-day fair, over the past 57 years, has generated enough funding to give back more than $2 million to our regional art community, says Utter. “Thanks to great financial planning, we now give over $130,000 each year to support high school, college, working artists and art organizations.”

One way Summerfair supports artists is through its annual poster competition, which is open through Jan. 11. Open to artists from around Greater Cincinnati, the winning design will be the official visual icon for this year’s event. The winning artist will receive $3,000, as well as wide spread recognition through the Summerfair marketing campaign.

“Each year our poster supports our advertising, merchandise and to promote excitement for the event,” says Utter. “All of our entries are judged for creativity, use of art forms and the ability to be used in the many ways necessary to insure a great fair. If you look at our library of past posters, you will see how they represent their times – Some years bold, others soft, but always iconic.”

Applications are also now available for for fair in June. Summerfair features more than 300 artists from around the country and Canada, exhibiting and selling their work.

“We generally get around 700 applications for the fair,” says Utter. “Out of the 340ish that are juried in to be in the Fair, 34 states are represented.”

Merry and Bright

The holidays are full of amazing traditions – finding a tree, making grandma’s cookies, wearing an obnoxious sweater – but in Cincinnati those traditions also include many of our beloved arts and culture institutions.

If you’re family celebration isn’t complete without the Mighty Wurlitzer or The Nutcracker, check this list to see when you’re favorite things are happening this year.

Photo: Mikki Schaffner

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
962 Mt Adams Circle
cincyplay.com

Through Dec. 29

Adapted and originally directed by Blake Robison

In Charles Dickens’ classic tale, Ebenezer Scrooge is a greedy curmudgeon who finds his heart changing when three spirits and the ghost of a long-lost friend show him the errors of his ways. Across one fateful Christmas Eve night, Scrooge recalls the warmth and generosity of past loved ones, learns the value of kindness through Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family and glimpses a terrifying future should his heart remain the same.

Featuring a dazzling set created especially for the new theater that opened last year, with amazing costume and lighting designs, A Christmas Carol is magical holiday experience for the whole family.

Cincinnati Nights of Lights
Clermont County Fairgrounds
1000 Locust St., Owensville
queencitylightshow.com

Through Jan. 5

The region's beloved drive-thru holiday light show is bigger and better than ever this year. For its ninth season, the show moves to a new home at the Clermont County Fairgrounds.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
The Otto M. Budig Theater, 1195 Elm St.
cincyshakes.com/

William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
Through Dec. 7

Shakespeare's delightful comedy of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements, is a family-friendly spectacle that promises laughter and joy for all. Set in the whimsical land of Illyria, the play follows the adventures of Viola, who, disguised as a man, finds herself at the heart of a hilarious series of misunderstandings and mishaps. With a colorful cast of characters, the play is a merry dance of romance, comedy, and playful deception perfect for audiences of all ages.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told
Dec. 13 – 29

CSC's holiday smash hit Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald, and John K. Alvarez returns for another season of holiday hilarity! What begins as another annual production of A Christmas Carol, soon devolves into a slightly irreverent (but undeniably adoring) look at all of your “Beloved Holiday Classics” including pop culture favorites like It’s a Wonderful Life, The Grinch, Rudolph, Charlie Brown and more! Add in topical references that always keep this annual tradition fresh and fun as we send up everything from Dickens to Dr. Seuss in an evening of high-octane jollity and frivolity.

Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Ave
www.cincymuseum.org/holiday-junction

Through Jan. 6, 2025

The Duke Energy Holiday Trains have been a Cincinnati holiday staple for decades, delighting generations since they first debuted downtown in 1946. Track-level views reveal intricate details of the display, where over 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives steam past anxious passengers waiting to board while cars sit with snow to their hubcaps and the perfect trees strapped to their roofs.

Holiday Junction features bursts of winter whimsy that greet you as soon as you enter the door. The Northern Lights display serves as the perfect backdrop for family photos as wispy green lights dance behind you and snow-rimmed trees surround you. The history of the Duke Energy Holiday Trains is also told through an interactive storybook filled with photos of the iconic trains over the decades.

Photo: Lisa Hubbards

PNC Festival of Lights
Cincinnati Zoo, 3400 Vine St.
cincinnatizoo.org/events/festival-of-lights

Through Jan. 5, 2025

The Cincinnati Zoo is shining bright for the 42nd annual PNC Festival of Lights! Come early to see more animals and stay for the lights!

In addition to admiring the beauty of 5 million LED lights, visitors can find the 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, take in a blacklight puppet show, marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights on Swan Lake, or snack at one of our seasonal concessions.

PNC Festival of Lights is included in Zoo admission. Visit the Zoo early and stay for the lights!

A few tips

• To avoid crowds, visit on a weeknight.

• PNC Festival of Lights is all about… the LIGHTS! The Zoo animals usually head indoors around 5 p.m. or sooner so make sure to come early and stay for the lights if you’re hoping to see animals!

• Meet-A-Creature: meet ambassador animals at Manatee Springs, Discovery Forest, and Club House

• Buildings open during PNC Festival of Lights: Reptile House, Gorilla World*, Night Hunters, Dragons, World of the Insect, Manatee Springs, Jungle Trails West, Discovery Forest

• Goat contact yard closes at 6:30pm but goats may be viewable

Pyramid Hill Lights
1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton
www.pyramidhill.org/

Through Jan, 5, 2025​​

Pyramid Hill ‘s annual light show combines art and nature along a route illuminated by more than one million lights, with installations by local artists. Bring the whole family along for a drive through our magical holiday experience.​

Each year, Pyramid Hill works with local artists to bring fresh installations to the light show! Works have included fiber art, woodworking, sculpture, and light projections throughout the years.​

The Pyramid Hill Lights is an entirely drive-through holiday experience, which means that everyone in your family (including your fur-family) can come along! We are continuously striving to make our Park more accessible, and hosting a drive-through holiday experience means that everyone can enjoy the show from the comfort of their own car.

Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike St.
taftmuseum.org

Explore all the Taft has this season and enjoy delightful teas, unique holiday displays, and more.

Holiday Traditions Old & New
Through Jan. 5, 2025, Collection Galleries

Do you often find yourself taking a break in the afternoon, perhaps for a cup of tea? Museum founders Charles and Anna Taft hosted an afternoon tea reception annually on New Year’s Day. According to a local newspaper, they provided their guests with “hot temptations” and “a delicious brew of eggnog.” Taking inspiration from these historical gatherings, we have adorned the museum’s dining room with a few must-haves for such an occasion, including gleaming tea and coffee services and a variety of dishes waiting to be filled with sweet treats.

Festive Transformations
Through Jan. 6, 2025 ,Taft Historic House

To celebrate the holidays this year, the Taft Museum of Art has partnered with Indigo Hippo, a Creative Reuse Center located in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Defining themselves as “a thrift store for art supplies,” the organization strives to bolster environmental sustainability, arts accessibility, and community engagement, all core values of the Taft as well. In keeping with this mission, Indigo Hippo chose to decorate this holiday tree by upcycling outdated Taft Museum of Art booklets, creating over two hundred ornaments. Indigo Hippo Executive Director Emily Dake says: “This project was a beautiful manifestation of Indigo Hippo’s mission to give materials a second life, and even more special that these publications by the Taft Museum of Art get to live on in the space the images feature.”

Join representatives from Indigo Hippo for an ornament-making workshop at the Taft on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. These special days offer music, art-making, and gallery engagements throughout the day to inspire young creators.

The Taft’s celebration also includes Holiday Family Fundays, on Sundays from, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 

• Dec. 1 – German Christmas

• Dec. 8 – Festive Folk 

• Dec. 15 – Hanukkah 

Let It Glow!
Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive
www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org

Nov. 26, 2024 to Jan. 5, 2025, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

The museum’s courtyard has been transformed into an outdoor, immersive, light-filled winter wonderland! This new installation is a new holiday event featuring several attractions surrounding the main feature—a 30-foot interactive snow globe located in the museum’s Alice Bimel Courtyard. Visitors may enter the globe and experience themes of light. Other art-filled attractions include: infinity mirror, fractal walk, baubles & bubbles, and more!

Get your camera ready, because photo- and video-worthy moments can be discovered around every corner!The Terrace Café will sell an assortment of holiday goodies. Registration is not required. Free for members. $15 general public; $11 seniors, college students and children 6–17 years. Save $2 when buying tickets online.

Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland
Newport Aquarium
1 Levee Way, Newport
www.newportaquarium.com

Nov. 29 – Dec. 24

t’s a Water Wonderland full of playful penguins, colorful holiday lights and a flurry of magical bubbles! See Scuba Santa swim underwater with a tank full of sharks – including the NEW Zebra Sharks and Shan the NEW Shark Ray! Through some holiday magic, you can even tell him what you want for Christmas. Meet cheerful elves straight from the North Pole and join in the fun as Scuba Santa fills the Theater with bubbles. His magical bubbles will float and fall all around you and every time a bubble pops, a wish will come true for someone throughout the world.

Photo: Mikki Schaffner.

Alice in Wonderland
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
1127 Vine Street
ensemblecincinnati.org

Nov. 30 – Dec. 30

Based on the beloved, imaginative tale by Lewis Carroll, this modern retelling is the toe-tapping story of a lost girl, a cool cat, a wild hare, and the original “dancing queen.” When ever-curious Alice falls from her own world into another, she must find her way home with the help of some whimsical and wonderful characters. Featuring an updated score and exuberant new costumes, this beloved musical will delight audiences of all ages this holiday season. book by Joseph McDonough | music & lyrics by David Kisor

Relaxed Performance
Saturday, Nov. 30, 2 p.m.

Relaxed performances create a comfortable arts experience for any audience member who may benefit from a more relaxed attitude surrounding theatre “rules.” Enjoy a welcoming, judgment-free environment with modifications including lower sound levels, relaxed attitude towards noise and movement from the audience, and more! Learn more and get your tickets to our relaxed performances

Show Up! Young Professionals Event
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.

Join other Young Professionals (at a special YP price) for the performance then mingle and discuss the show over bites and a free drink at ETC’s bar!

American Sign Language
ASL-Interpreted Performance
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m/

Interpreters perform a translation of the play into ASL alongside the performance in a position with great sightlines to see both the action of the play and the interpreters.

Audio Described Performance
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m.

Patrons can use a headset for one ear to hear descriptions of key visual elements inserted into natural pauses in the show, allowing patrons to still hear dialogue, sound effects, and music.

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Music Hall, 1241 Elm St.
www.cincinnatisymphony.org/pops

JMR and the Cincinnati Pops bring bring the joy, fun and vibrant energy you've come to know and love adding to the magic of the season with their beloved Holiday Pops program.

Home Alone
Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Hilarious and heartwarming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the whole family! This Thanksgiving weekend, experience holiday hijinks and mayhem with Kevin, Harry and Marv as John Williams’ charming score is performed live by your Cincinnati Pops with the film projected on a giant screen in stunning high definition above the stage.

Holiday Pops
Dec 13–15
There’s nothing quite as magical as the memories made during the holiday season and, thanks to you, Holiday Pops has allowed us to share and create those memories year after year. With sold-out performances in a decked-out Music Hall, we invite you to join us again this year as Broadway star Norm Lewis joins JMR and the Pops with choruses, vocalists and dancers from around the city bringing festive favorites and holiday classics to life!

Happy Holidays with the Mighty Wurlitzer
Music Hall, 1241 Elm St.
Friday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.
friendsofmusichall.org/events/happy-holidays-with-the-mighty-wurlitzer-2024

This holiday season, join in the celebration with the Friends of Music Hall and their annual Happy Holidays with the Mighty Wurlitzer concert in Music Hall’s beautiful and historic Ballroom. Fan-favorite Mark Herman returns at the keyboard of the Mighty Wurlitzer.

Singer/actress Michele Ragusa returns as the special guest artist for this concert. In her 2019 Happy Holidays appearance, her rendition of "Santa Baby" brought smiles and laughter to everyone - and even made Santa blush!

Friends of Music Hall welcomes the award-winning Q-KIDZ Dance Team to the program to share their passion for dance with the Wurlitzer Holiday audience. The entire family will enjoy the concert, featuring favorite old and new holiday melodies, and, of course, the Wurlitzer's jingling bells.

Santa Claus: The Musical
The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati
Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifh St.
thechildrenstheatre.com/shows/santa-claus-the-musical

Dec. 7–15

It’s Christmas Eve! After 1,000 years of faithful service, Santa and Mrs. Claus announce their decision to hang up the big red suit and train a replacement. Enter Nick: a website designer and single dad to tech-savvy daughter, Bee. With pressures mounting–and a jealous, naughty elf thwarting their every move–will everyone in Santa’s Workshop come together in time for Nick to take the reins?

Jingle jam-packed with a sleigh full of fun, energetic, and original holiday music, Santa Claus: The Musical‘s heartwarming story and score put joyful audiences in the spirit of the season. Featuring Local 12’s Bob Herzog!

David Choate’s Hot Chocolate
Revolution Dance Theatre
Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center
750 Walnut St.
www.cincinnatiarts.org/events/detail/david-choates-hot-chocolate

Dec 13 –15

Experience the joy of the season with David Choate's Hot Chocolate. Returning for its fourth year, this year's performances include several surprises you're sure to love, while still providing the same great storytelling and wonder you expect. Do yourself a favor and see why this show has quickly become one of Cincinnati's most cherished holiday traditions.

The Nutcracker
Cincinnati Ballet
Music Hall, 1241 Elm St.
cballet.org

Dec. 19–29  

This season, Cincinnati Ballet celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Nutcracker in Cincinnati. The Company first performed the holiday classic in 1973. New this season are additional performances after Christmas.

When a curious young girl named Clara receives a magical Nutcracker for Christmas, her dreams come to life. Joined by her Nutcracker Prince, Clara meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and a cast of colorful characters. With Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed live by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

A Flavorful Mix

Cuisine Art Cocktails with
Honorary Chair Maria Kalomenidou
Saturday, Nov. 23, 5–10 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. Sixth St.

$2,500 Contemporary Cincinnati Sponsor
4 VIP tickets | Recognition on CAC website and social media | Recognition on events signage and program.

$600 Host/Hostess
2 VIP tickets | Recognition Host/Hostess on CAC website and social media | Opportunity to invite friends and family with discount code.

$300 VIP
1 VIP tickets. 1-hour early admission, VIP access and exclusive art experiences with food and drink from Chef Jose Salazar and Molly Wellmann.

$225 General Admission
One General Admission ticket, includes food, drink, art experiences, and more.

$175 Member General Admission
One General Admission ticket, includes food, drink, art experiences, and more.

Tickets and information.

What’s the best part of a party – the food, the drinks, the crowd?

Sample the best of all three during the Contemporary Arts Center’s largest fundraiser of the year – Cuisine Art Cocktails.

This evening supports and celebrates the contemporary culture of Cincinnati with an artful collaboration between community, chefs and mixologists, creatives, and business leaders.

“Since it’s founding in 1939, CAC has been a champion of emerging ideas in contemporary art and culture,” says Carolyn Hefner, CAC’s external affairs director. “And for longer than that, food and drink have played pivotal roles in art movements around the globe.”

In 2016, CAC enlisted the talents of the city's finest chefs and mixologists to create a coffee-table cookbook, “Cuisine Art Cocktails.” Every dish or drink was inspired by provocative works of American and international contemporary art.

“We are most excited to revisit the idea because Cuisine Art Cocktails – in its past and current form – reflects the creativity, nourishment and sense of community that are central to the CAC and to those partnering with us for this year’s event: brilliant chefs, mixologists, restauranteurs, dancers, visual artists, singers, and more,” says Hefner.

CAC is also teaming with other non-profits, including American Sign Museum, Brewing Heritage Trail, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Newport Aquarium, yet still showcasing contemporary culture and contemporary art only the way the CAC can. Cuisine Art Cocktails is an example of CAC’s cutting edge approach, providing a platform to lift up the work of those contributing to contemporary culture in Cincinnati all, including mixologist, restaurants, tattoo artists, and more

“In our events in more recent years, we’d departed from showcasing contemporary culture in our region, focusing much more on presenting contemporary visual arts,” says Hefner. “This year’s Cuisine Art Cocktails gets back to our roots of being sensitive to a multisensory approach of experiencing culture and art, but also sets the tone for our future and reminding folks that CAC serves as the premier venue in our region for all forms of contemporary art.”

A Work in the Park

Though it’s still under construction, the new ArtWorks ArtPark in Walnut Hills just unveiled a sculpture that celebrates the organization’s new neighborhood of Walnut Hills.

The Hannan ArtPark presented by Fifth Third Foundation is ArtWorks’s new public gathering space, located across from its soon-to-open permanent building. The park’s name honors the Hannan Family for their generous support of the Cincinnati community, especially their dedication to creating positive opportunities for teens and young adults through Saturday Hoops and ArtWorks.

The new interactive sculpture and monument celebrating Walnut Hills, unveiled on Wednesday, was designed by acclaimed American artist, social activist and educator Roberto Lugo, in collaboration with members of the Walnut Hills community. Lugo, whose art uniquely blends hip-hop, history, politics, and his cultural heritage into formal ceramics, is no stranger to Cincinnati.

“ArtWorks was introduced to Roberto Lugo during his residency in Walnut Hills at the Cincinnati Art Museum,” said Colleen Houston, CEO & Artistic Director of ArtWorks. “We were impressed by his commitment to community. We loved that he invited youth to join him in making ceramics in the museum, he honored local Cincinnatians in his artwork, and he gifted sculptures to many local nonprofits.”

Lugo’s sculpture joins “Numbers and Trees: Cincinnati Cottonwoods” (2024), the first completed public art contribution on the site. Created by Charles Gaines, the monumental mural was completed by 21 apprentices (ages 14–21) and four professional teaching artists. This mural was sponsored by Sara and Michelle Vance Waddell and Ron and David Houck-Nebel.

ArtWorks is invited Walnut Hills residents to participate in the creation of this community monument during free workshops led by local artists Kathryne Gardette, Gary Dangel. and Karla Batres Gilven that allowed community members to contribute to this masterpiece. The workshops gave residents the chance to contribute designs and patterns to be incorporated into the sculpture.

In addition to the mural and sculpture, a sculptural bike rack, greenspace, parking designed to also be a plaza for community events and additional features will make the area a draw for the community. Two new crosswalks will better connect the Hannan ArtPark presented by Fifth Third Foundation to the growing business district, and new plantings in the median will further enhance this investment in the growing arts and cultural corridor in Walnut Hills.

The Story of My Life

“I hope that sharing these stories, told in both words and images can help to foster a more vibrant and welcoming global community,” says Kate Currie executive director of Maketank Inc.

The “Illustrated Memoir Project” currently on view at the Contemporary Art Center, is curated by Currie with collaboration from the CAC's Creative Learning Department. For the project, Currie engaged English language learner students to tell stories from their lives in words and images. Each participant writes some true story from their life and then creates original illustrations to support that story.

The result is an exhibition of poignant drawings that reflect the children’s experiences as well as short stories that explore their lives.

“I originally conceived the Illustrated Memoir Project in 2018 as my dissertation research project while I was getting my PhD in Educational Leadership,” says Currie. “It proved to be such a powerful project that after completing my PhD work I realized this is what I needed to do with the rest of my life!”

In 2019, Aaron Parker, ESL Specialist at Cincinnati Public Schools' Aiken New Tech High School invited Parker to meet with his English Language Learner students. Originally brought together by Refugee Connect, and the two have continue to partner, inviting students to participate in the “Illustrated Memoir Project” to students each year.

This year the “Illustrated Memoir Project” was integrated into the ELL classroom curriculum for the first time, as an optional project for students co-led with the classroom teachers. This new format allowed them to work with many more young people and allowed them to take the project to different locations.

“In May we will be taking the project abroad for the first time. A former participant from Aiken, Enock Sadiki, and I will be traveling to the Nakivale Refugee settlement in Uganda (where Enock was born and raised) to run the project together with 40 young people there. This has always been a goal of the project but the pandemic made such a move unrealistic until recently,” says Currie.

At the beginning of this year, Currie was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to develop a traveling exhibition of original artwork from “Illustrated Memoir Project.” Through a partnership with the CAC, the work is now on view to the with the Cincinnati community.

“We hope that viewers gain a deeper understanding of who our immigrant and refugee neighbors are, the diversity of their experience, and the richness they bring to our community,” says Currie. “I believe individual stories can impact our understanding of ourselves and each other in ways that statistics and generalizations fail to do.”

One of the benefits of the project, according to Currie, is the opportunity for the public to gain a more robust perspective of immigrant and refugee experience from the student authors and illustrators. Participants decide whether they want to make their memoirs available as open educational resource. If they do, Currie and the team at Maketank then find diverse ways to share those experience with the community. This can take the form of storytimes at schools, libraries, and community centers, as well as sharing digital copies of the books on Maketank’s website.

“I developed the idea for the ‘Illustrated Memoir Project’ in the hopes of using my strengths and interests in visual storytelling to help increase intellectual self-trust for immigrant and refugee youth,” says Currie. “I believe that centering the lived experience and unique knowledge of these young people by positioning them as the authors and illustrators of their own stories can increase their self-efficacy as well as language and visual literacies, critical thinking skills, and social emotional learning.”

Maketank Inc’s “Illustrated Memoir Project” is on view at the CAC through Sunday, Nov. 10. The project includes images and stories from more than 20 immigrant and refugee children. The exhibition is made possible by support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. Maketank Inc. is also actively fundraising to pay for this iteration of the project as well as the regional implementations.

“The hope is that the intellectual self-trust engendered by this project provides a basis on which the participants can continue to build additional academic and creative achievements,” says Currie.

Revisit The Old Haunts

Just in time for Halloween, we look back at some of Cincinnati’s most treasured scary stories!

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Halloween is the one day a year even the most cowardly among us longs to hear a scary story. (Just not too scary!)

From ghostly tales about local landmarks to embarking on a guided trek of spooky spots around town, it’s easy to get your fright on. For Halloween, we explore a few stories perfect for Halloween night. All you need to do is a flashlight to put under your chin!

Not a photo from The Shining.

Need a drink to steady your nerves? If you find yourself having a martini at the Hilton Netherland Plaza, don’t be surprised if you run into a Lady in Green.

According to the Walking Tour and Pocket History of the hotel, the Lady in Green was the wife of one of the hotel’s laborers back who was killed during construction. His body was never found! Her restless spirit continues to search for him his wife continues to search for his body even in the afterlife. Construction workers who helped in the hotel’s renovation in the 1980s reported seeing her on the Mezzanine level and the Hall of Mirrors.

Cincinnati’s history, and ghostly mysteries, is older than the 20th century. The Taft Museum of Art, home to notable Cincinnatians including Nicholas Longworth and Anna and Charles Taft, is also home to its share of ghost stories. On the internet, that repository of accurate information, you’ll find plenty of tales of wandering apparitions and even poltergeist-like activity in the gift shop.

Reader, I worked at the Taft. While I didn’t experience terror in the gift shop or Scooby Doo-esque following eyes, I have a tale to tell.

The attic at the Taft, which was once the servants’ quarters, is now used for storage. Holiday decorations and other seldom needed items are kept there. On the rare occasions when you need something, you pop up, grab what you came for, and head back down the steps.  

One night after leaving an event, I saw a light on in the attic. I called a colleague and asked her to remind Security to turn it off – They had obviously left it on during a routine walk-through.

She said the attic isn’t part of their usual Security check. No one had been up there.

They hadn’t turned on the light.

. . .

Insert gif of Carrie Bradshaw blinking.

For a Halloween program at the Taft, we hosted local paranormal investigators who offered tours of the house, complete with electromagnetic field (EMF) meters. One of the investigators told me a lot of what the EMF meters pick up are readings from electrical outlets. They said that’s often the simple explanations for ghostly activity in old buildings like the Taft. As we walked through the museum at the end of the night they demonstrated with the EMF.

Except in one spot.

On the stairs in the old house, by a portrait of Nicholas Longworth, the EMF reader was going crazy. But there was no outlet under the painting.  The wall had didn’t have an outlet on the other side of the wall. The reasonable explanation didn’t work in this situation.

One of the most allegedly haunted buildings in Cincinnati is Music Hall. Longtime employees have shared numerous ghost stories over the years, and the building was once featured on an episode of Ghost Hunters.

The Friends of Music Hall offer the story of John Engst, a former night watchman who heard music one night during his usual rounds. But there was no concert or rehearsal happening.

“I re-entered the elevator and closed the doors. The music was still there. I opened the rear of the elevator, entered the adjoining hall, no sound. Returning to the elevator to proceed to Corbett Tower and closed it up, the music was as beautiful as ever,” he reported. 

If you’d like to explore just how haunted Music Hall really is, you can join the Friends of Music Hall for a Ghost Tour with the Cincinnati Research and Paranormal Studies on Nov. 18.

For a tour that will bring the stories of the long dead to life, look no further than American Legacy Tours. Their Queen City is Haunted Tour promises to uncover “stories of grisly murders, ghastly deaths and other disturbing tales” from Cincinnati's past. Centered in Over-the-Rhine, the tour includes ghost stories about Music Hall and finding the truth about the “Witch of Washington Park.”

–Tricia Suit

Creating a Monster

Photo by Mikki Schaffner

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Through Nov. 2

Tickets and info at cincyshakes.com.

On a dark and stormy night, a group of friends challenged each other to tell a frightful tale and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was born.

As the novel unfolds, Victor Frankenstein’s rejected creature is cast away by his creator, thrust into a world that recoils in terror. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company offers a new spin on the gothic tale from the mother of science fiction. Find a spine-tingling encounter with one of literature's most iconic monsters, ideal for the Halloween season, as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein asks the question: who is the real monster, creature or creator? 

This version of Frankenstein was adapted by David Catlin in 2019 and originally produced by the Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein takes place on the night Mary Shelley conceived the story of Frankenstein. Actors portray the historical figures present at the story’s creation, including Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, and Mary Shelley herself, as they gather to tell each other grim tales of the macabre. They begin to recount the story of Frankenstein, using props and costumes from the set to embody the characters of the gothic tale, bringing the story to life! Director Brian Isaac Phillips remarks, “It’s full of thrills and chills, but it also has this really fantastic heart to it… specifically with Mary Shelley’s journey and who she is and how she creates the story.” Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is thrilled to bring this over 200 year old classic to life this Halloween season!

This production of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein will have a life following this run in Cincinnati.  Produced in partnership with Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, Mass., the production will travel and perform at the partner organization from November 8th- 24th. Designers from Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Merrimack Repertory Theatre will work together to bring Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to life at both cities.  Producing productions in partnership like this is cost-effective, helping theaters streamline operations, maximize budgets, and deliver high-quality performances to a wider audience.

Audiences can join Cincy Shakes Halloween night at “Frankenstein’s Monster Bash.” Audiences are invited to see Mary Shelley's Frankenstein while dressed in their spookiest duds and costumes. Featured cocktails, thrilling performances, and monstrous surprises await ticket holders Oct. 31 at 7:30 PM.

This adaptation is directed by CSC’s Producing Artistic Director and CEO, Brian Isaac Phillips and features an ensemble of five actors comprised of Jasimine Bouldin. Alexis Bronkovic, Billy Chace, John Patrick Hayden, and Jay Wade. This production’s design is generously sponsored by Rance and Marilyn Duke.