Truth to Power
As part of their fourth annual “Truth & Innovation Artist Showcase” happening this weekend, ArtsWave highlights new works by 22 of the region’s leading Black and Brown artists.
Friday, July 12
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St.
Saturday, July 13
Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3412 Clifton Ave,
Sunday, July 14
The Carnegie, 1028 Scott Blvd.. Covington
The projects reflect not only the African American experience, but the experiences of other often-underrepresented groups and cultural traditions throughout modern American life. Programs during the weekend feature visual art, painting, sculpture, musical composition, film, theater, dance, multidisciplinary works and more.
The Black and Brown Artist Program is also a key component of ArtsWave’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access plan, “Lifting as We Learn,” in which ArtsWave is intentionally increasing resources for Black and Brown arts throughout the region.
“With the continued growth of these investments, ArtsWave has established one of the largest annual grant programs dedicated to Black and Brown artists and cultural organizations in the Cincinnati region,” says Alecia Kintner, ArtsWave president and CEO.
This year’s artists are creating projects across genres focusing on the modern BIPOC experience and, within that context, exploring the meaning of “Truth” and “Innovation.” Each artist has also incorporated some form of community collaboration, ensuring we can all play a role in innovating toward a more just and equitable future for the Cincinnati region.
A new mural in Woodlawn by Brandon Hawkins, “Where Honor is Due,” explores the under-told stories of BIPOC military personnel who served proudly but are often under-recognized as they don’t fit the cultural ‘mold’ of a soldier in our modern culture. Another example of the showcase shining light on stories usually left in the dark is from Anupama Mirle, presenting “DOR” a theatrical, classical Indian dance performance about a young, ‘unmarriable’ widow with a five-year-old daughter who decides to leave India for the United States.
All of the projects were selected by ArtsWave’s panel of community stakeholders in a competitive process for funding last fall. Out of 71 proposals, the most ever, the 22 awardees were determined to best capture the idea of “truth and innovation,” and together received a total of $212,500 to finance their projects.
The showcase is part of ArtsWave’s Black and Brown Artist Program, which has funded 90 artist projects and distributed $950,000 in grants over the past four years.
In addition to working capital, ArtsWave’s program helps artists develop valuable business and entrepreneurial skills. This year’s artists received professional development courses conducted through Wave Pool’s “Driving Lessons” program, as well as networking and progress meetings with ArtsWave staff and consultants
These projects advance overarching goals of ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action by bridging cultural divides, promoting understanding and empathy, deepening residents' roots, and improving neighborhoods.