Matter of Choice

Voter Registration

Voter registration led by area arts organizations will kick off on Sept. 17, National Voter Registration Day. The CAC will sign up visitors to vote at its front desk on Sept. 21, 22, 28, 29 and Oct. 5 and 6, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The Art Academy will have a Voter Registration Booth onsite on Sept. 17, 24, and Oct. 1, from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Renowned street artist Shepard Fairey returns to Cincinnati for the first time since 2010, as the nation’s eyes turn to Ohio during 2024 election.

Fairey is teaming up with ArtWorks and other arts organizations across the state to re-ignite voter enthusiasm and drive participation just in time for National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

ArtWorks is organizing the nonpartisan “Get Out the Vote” mural project, which includes the creation of a large-scale mural in Cincinnati. This will be Fairey’s first permanent mural in Ohio, accompanied by dozens of smaller, temporary wheatpaste murals in both Cincinnati and Columbus.

“It’s an important moment in American politics, and it’s a moment to bring a get-out-the-vote message to the streets,” says Fairey. “I’m excited to be in Ohio to not only get art out there but also to be part of a movement to recognize the ideals of democracy. I believe that democracy functions most ideally when as many as possible participate.” 

The murals will be installed from Sept. 15–21. Fairey and his team will work with local artists and apprentices ages 18–24. This collaboration emphasizes the importance of voting and empowers artists to engage in the democratic process. Up to 30 nonpartisan murals divided between Cincinnati and Columbus—will amplify the “Get Out the Vote” message, along with the permanent mural in Over-the-Rhine.

Additional Ohio artists will be involved, designing “Get Out the Vote” yard signs to be distributed across the state in key cities. Twelve artists, three each from Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Dayton, will create 18" x 24" full-color signs that will be provided for free to Ohio residents.

ArtWorks is working closely with statewide partners CreativeOhio, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and ArtsVote Ohio. Local arts partners include ArtsWave, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Art Academy of Cincinnati. In addition to distributing “Get Out the Vote” yard signs, many arts organizations will also be locations for voter registration with voter drive events, starting on Sept. 17 and ending Oct. 7, the last day to register to vote in Ohio.

“Get Out the Vote” builds on ArtWorks’ previous voter engagement efforts, including its 2020 campaign “Hear Me Out,” which provided a mobile voter registration hub and guide researched and designed by young artists for young people in Ohio to inspire voter turnout amongst a demographic with historically low turnout.

“We’re excited to partner with Shepard Fairey, a pioneer in public art, to use new murals and wheatpastes to inspire citizens to vote," said Colleen Houston, CEO and artistic director, ArtWorks. "Public art has the unique ability to inspire action across a large audience. This is one of the most ambitious public art projects we have worked on to date across the state of Ohio. Through this project, we hope to engage Ohioans in the democratic process and create a platform for the arts sector to increase engagement with the upcoming election.”

To further amplify the project, Orange Barrel Media will showcase Fairey’s murals, along with the work of the 12 Ohio-based artists, across their network of IKE Smart City kiosks in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. This partnership expands the artwork’s reach across more than 180 digital screens in Ohio’s cities.

On Sept. 17, National Voter Registration Day, Fairey will speak to the next generation of creatives at the Art Academy of Cincinnati College of Art & Design. The event will be livestreamed at www.artacademy.edu. During this engagement, Fairy will explore how street art can be a powerful force for social change.  

“Shepard Fairey has been an influential artist for young students in the creative fields to understand that art can be an impactful method for social and cultural change,” says Joe Girandola, president and CEO of the Art Academy of Cincinnati. 

Fairey made waves in Cincinnati at the 2010 Contemporary Arts Center exhibition “Supply and Demand,” a 20-year retrospective of the artist’s work. At that time, the CAC organized installing Fairey’s wheatpaste murals on the exterior of buildings in Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Northside, Oakley, Silverton, Madisonville and Covington. One of those historic wheatpastes can still be found at Arnold’s Bar and Grill, 210 E. Eighth Street in Over-the-Rhine.