The Invitation
The annual Duncanson Artist-in-Residence program at the Taft Museum of Art begins April 10, with Chicago-based rapper, songwriter, producer, educator, and television host Rich Robbins leading public programs, teaching workshops, and visiting schools across Greater Cincinnati throughout the month.
Robbins is the museum’s 39th Duncanson artist-in-residence. His music has also garnered one million streams and counting across major streaming platforms, with collaborators including artists such as Mick Jenkins, Saba, Mother Nature.
Outside of the studio, Robbins has also headlined major festivals such as the Taste of Chicago and Metro and performed at nationally iconic venues like the Apollo Theater in New York. Robbins is a First Wave Hip Hop & Urban Arts Scholarship Program recipient from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Through this program he developed his craft as part of a high-level artistic community alongside faculty, staff, and nationally renowned spoken word and hip-hop artists and engaged the community in service-learning projects that combined multicultural arts and activism.
Celebrate the kickoff of his residency on Thursday, April 10, 6–8 p.m. at the Taft, with a meet and greet opportunity with Robbins, and special performances by Elementz artists and hip-hop storyteller Stephen Hooks. This is a FREE event and includes admission to the Taft’s current exhibitions Mystery & Benevolence, J.M.W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons, and the collection galleries featuring the Duncanson murals.
Duncanson Artist-in-Residence programs:
Creative Writing Workshop
Saturday, April 12, 4–5:30 p.m.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House
Join Robbins for a creative writing workshop that explores the power of storytelling, lyricism, and rhythm in creative writing. Recommended for ages 18 and up. This is a FREE event! Registration is not required; participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
FREE! Family Funday
Sunday, April 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Taft Museum of Art
Celebrate Earth Day at the museum! Make upcycled art all day under the tent, join a hands-on workshop with Charlotte Reed of Art Equals, and rock out with the Taft's 2025 Duncanson Artist-in-Residence, Rich Robbins, and School of Rock Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. This is a free event! Registration is not required. Includes admission to Mystery & Benevolence, J.M.W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons, and the collection galleries featuring the Duncanson murals.
Educator Master Class: Art Integration for K-12
Wednesday, April 16, 5–7 p.m.
Taft Museum of Art
This immersive masterclass, led Robbins, equips K-12 teachers with strategies to integrate the arts into their curriculum. This is a FREE event for K-12 educators. Registration is required.
Master Class: Hip-Hop and Creative Thinking
Thursday, April 17, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Elementz
Discover how hip-hop fosters innovative thinking, helping artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives break boundaries in their work. This session will challenge participants to reimagine problemsolving, branding, and expression through the spirit of hip-hop. This is a FREE event! Recommended for audiences ages 13 and up. Registration is recommended.
Master Class: The Art of Lyricism and Story Writing
Tuesday, April 22, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Elementz
Explore the craft of songwriting and lyric writing through hip-hop’s rich storytelling tradition. Learn how to harness personal experiences, cultural influences, and rhythm to create impactful narratives. This is a FREE event! Recommended for audiences ages 13 and up. Registration is recommended.
Master Class: Technology and the Music Business
Thursday, April 24, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Elementz
Navigate the evolving music industry with insights into how technology is shaping production, distribution, and artist visibility. From streaming to social media strategies, this session equips participants with the knowledge to thrive in today’s music landscape. This is a FREE event! Recommended for audiences ages 13 and up. Registration is recommended.
Closing Celebration
Saturday, April 26, 1–3:30 p.m.
Artsville
Celebrate the closing of the 2025 Duncanson Artist-in-Residence with a creative and reflective afternoon exploring the journey of this year's residency through live performances, visual displays, and community engagement. Guests will have the opportunity to meet hip-hop artist Rich Robbins, hear insights about his work, and experience the impact of this residency on Cincinnati's communities.
Register at www.taftmuseum.org/duncansonprogram.
Established in 1986 by the Taft Museum of Art and the Robert S. Duncanson Society, the award-winning Duncanson Program honors the achievements of contemporary Black artists working in a variety of disciplines—year-round. Over the years, many nationally and internationally acclaimed artists spanning an array of disciplines have been selected for the Duncanson Artist-in-Residence. This includes visual and performance artist Vanessa German, choreographer Stafford Berry, and the esteemed poet Nikki Giovanni (the inaugural Duncanson Artist-in-Residence in 1986).
The program honors the relationship between Black American painter Robert S. Duncanson and his patron, Nicholas Longworth, who commissioned Duncanson to paint landscape murals in the foyer of his home circa 1850-52, now the Taft Museum of Art.