A Good Lunch

Jersey Mike’s 15th Annual Day of Giving
Wednesday, March 26

!00% of every purchase will go to CancerFree KIDS.

For a list of restaurants, visit Jersey Mike’s charity listing by state.

Your choice of lunch on Wednesday, March 26 can make a huge difference in the lives of children fighting cancer.

Wednesday is Jersey Mike’s 15th annual “Day of Giving,” and all 31 Cincinnati area Jersey Mike's locations will donate 100% of every purchase to the local charity CancerFree KIDS.

The organizations have partnered on this effort since 2015, resulting in almost $1.4 million in donations. Last year alone, Jersey Mike’s donated a record $330,000 to CancerFree KIDS.

CancerFree KIDS aims to find more effective and gentler treatments for childhood cancer by funding innovative research projects in the early stages of development. New ideas need money to grow, yet potential breakthrough treatment methods often go unfunded because pediatric cancer research is drastically limited. 

CancerFree KIDS provides grants to high-risk/high-reward childhood cancer research projects in these crucial early stages, which allows researchers to prove their concept, secure additional funding, and eventually create new treatments for kids.

As a direct result of the money raised from the Month of Giving, eight CancerFree KIDS research grants have been named in honor of Jersey Mike's. These grants have gone on to achieve remarkable results, asecuring $12.9 million in subsequent funding, resulting in five publications and providing crucial support to the development of a new FDA-approved drug for neurofibromatosis.

Throughout the month, Jersey Mike’s customers have been able to round up their bills to donate to local charities at almost 3,000 Jersey Mike’s locations during the 15th Annual “Month of Giving fundraising campaign. But on Wednesday, every dollar spent, not just profits, will go to charity.

So grab lunch, dinner, cater a meal or send subs to your favorite charity to fund the great work at CancerFree KIDS. For a list of restaurants, visit Jersey Mike’s charity listing by state.

Screen Print

Click to read!

Ohio can claim a rich heritage in the film industry starting with Thomas Edison who, with his staff, invented the Kinetoscope in 1891.

Great actors and pioneering legends like Clark Gable, Lillian Gish, Dorothy Dandridge, Doris Day, and Paul Newman are Ohioans. Contemporary actors like Halle Berry, Martin Sheen, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Janelle Monae have carried on this tradition. Directors like Steven Spielberg, Jim Jarmusch, Julia Reichert, and the Russo Brothers have all called Ohio home.

Ohio Goes to the Movies is the brainchild of Stephen George, who envisioned a statewide film festival while planning the 2003 Ohio Bicentennial. As executive director of the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, he traveled to each of Ohio’s 88 counties to learn about their history. “I always asked people what they were proud of in their community. They often brought up an actor or film connection from  their hometown… that’s when the idea struck me,” he explained.

Get the latest on Ohio Goes to the Movies, including plans to honor homegrown movie greats, an exhibit that brings sci-fi films to life, film commission success with films made in Ohio, a film festival profile, and more in the new issue of their digital magazine.

Then subscribe at ohiogoestothemovies.org/newsletters!

By All Accounts

In partnership with the Avondale Development Corporation and other community partners, Fifth Third has made $33.6 million in direct investments into Avondale and helped catalyze $17.9 million from other entitles for a total financial impact of $51.5 million.

Key initiatives include

• Blair Lofts: The Fifth Third Community Development Corporation invested $15.5 million into Blair Lofts in 2021. The 64-unit affordable housing development located on Reading Road features one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartments, on-site management and amenities that include laundry, resident storage spaces, a community kitchen and a fitness center. Fifth Third also funded wrap-around services such as a move-in care package for residents, financial education workshops, funding so that 55 children could attend a summer camp, furnishing for the community room, and five desktop computers and furnishings for a computer lab.

• Carthage Flats: Fifth Third is providing equity and construction financing for Carthage Flats in Cincinnati. Located on Vine Street, Carthage Flats is a 45-unit affordable housing development that has received a 4% low-income housing tax credit award. The property is designed for family households with incomes up to 30-, 50- and 60% of the area median income. All 45 units will operate with Permanent Supportive Housing funding and target those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The housing is being built on a long-vacant site.

• Digital Accessibility: Fifth Third has been working to help close the digital divide and bring Avondale residents into the technology mainstream. Key partners in the effort include the Avondale Development Corporation, Uptown Consortium Inc., and the University of Cincinnati. Following a community-wide assessment of the neighborhood and its needs, in fall 2024 the partners began replacing non-functional and outdated equipment at eight housing complexes and adding service in two locations that were not previously served, thanks to funding from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. In early 2025, 319 apartments are expected to have free internet connectivity, including 779 residents and 374 school-age students. Six free outdoor hotspots are also being installed along Reading Road. The final phase includes a neighborhood-wide Wi-Fi project that will provide free and/or discounted servicing throughout all of Avondale.

Many of us take finding an ATM or stopping by the bank for granted. But more than 12 million people live in “banking deserts” with limited access to financial services.

“At Fifth Third, we believe that strong banks need strong communities, and strong communities need strong banks,” said Kala Gibson, chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third. “We are proud to contribute to the revitalization of Avondale by expanding financial access through this new branch, in addition to many other community investments in recent years.”

This week, Fifth Third and Avondale community leaders celebrated the groundbreaking for a new full-service banking center the neighborhood, which has been without a standalone bank branch for nearly five years.

The new branch is expected to open to the public in late summer or early fall and is among 15 banking centers Fifth Third plans to open in low- and moderate-income (LMI) or high minority (HMT) population census tracts this year. The branch will enable Fifth Third to increase financial access for the community while contributing to the revitalization of Avondale.

Fifth Third prioritizes financial access and neighborhood revitalization through its Neighborhood Program, a community development initiative which creates and implements innovative place-based strategies to effect positive change in historically disinvested neighborhoods across the Bank’s 11-state footprint. As Fifth Third strategically expands and opens new financial centers across the U.S., 30% of new branches in development will be in LMI and/or HMT areas. In addition to new centers, Fifth Third offers its Financial Empowerment Mobile, known as the eBus, and Banking to Go kiosks to address gaps in financial services in underserved communities.

Located in the Avondale Town Center, the new branch will be a model for innovation and sustainability, occupying 2,024 square feet in a storefront along Reading Road. The existing full service drive-up ATM in the town center parking lot will remain. Inside, the center’s open design will make it easy for customers to get quick digital service or discuss more complex banking products, like college savings plans, mortgages, or retirement solutions. The new, streamlined building will feature flexible meeting and seating areas that offer adjustable layers of privacy. The branch is expected to open in late summer or early fall 2025, with Walnut Hills-based Triversity Construction serving as the general contractor. Soul Palette, a local Cincinnati artist, will design and install a mural that celebrates Avondale’s history.

“We are able to celebrate the opening of this Avondale location because of the special bond that exists between our community partners and our local Fifth Third team,” said Tim Elsbrock, president, Fifth Third Bank, Greater Cincinnati Region. “This is the result of many years of conversations, planning and hard work that allowed for a shared commitment to provide resources for the good of our community."

Avondale, Cincinnati’s largest African American community, has experienced decades of disinvestment leading to population decline, aging housing stock and increased poverty.

"The Avondale Development Corporation is excited to welcome Fifth Third to our Avondale community,” said Russell Hairston, executive director of the Avondale Development Corporation. “This is more than just a bank opening; it represents a commitment to Avondale's future. This marks a significant step toward economic empowerment and neighborhood revitalization. By providing accessible financial services, small business support, and homeownership opportunities, Fifth Third is helping to create a more financially inclusive Avondale. We look forward to partnering with them on financial literacy programs, workforce development initiatives, and community investment strategies that will uplift residents and drive sustainable growth, which aligns with ADC’s mission to foster sustainable community development.”

Fifth Third launched its neighborhood program in 2021, taking a place-based approach to community development where the Bank works with a lead partner organization and other local organizations to build ecosystems that drive real change through both financial and social investments. This collective ecosystem approach is focused on identifying solutions to key challenges in partnership with the community, with the goal of creating lasting, transformative change.

Strength in Numbers

More than 100 people attended the inaugural We Mentor Cincy Summit on Feb. 28 at Digital Futures, which also brought together 11 local mentoring organizations to highlight the transformative power of mentoring in Greater Cincinnati.

Tony Aloise, founder of the Life Solutions Network, was honored with the inaugural We Mentor Cincy Award, which was named for him.

To find out how you can help unlock the potential in Greater Cincinnati’s youth, visit www.wementorcincy.org.

All Hands on Deck

Cruise into history and adventure this Fall with America’s River Roots!

To make sure everyone is on board for this huge event, riverboat captains from five cities – Louisville, Memphis, Moline, New Orleans and Pittsburgh – joined captains from Cincinnati to prepare for America’s River Roots Festival for meetings last week. The event marked the first meeting of the captains who will be operating more than 175 cruises in the festival, coming to the Cincinnati riverfront Oct. 8-12.

During the two-day event at in Cincinnati, the captains met with community leaders and organizers of America’s River Roots, and discussed the event’s riverboat parades, riverboat races and meal cruises on the Ohio River, safety protocols and communication plans. 

America’s River Roots will showcase the Ohio River and its vital role in our nation’s history while promoting cultural tourism in what promises to be a unique and memorable five days for the Cincy region.

Tickets are currently available for sightseeing and themed cruises aboard each of the boats that will be part of the America’s River Roots celebration. Find out more at www.americasriverroots.com/cruise.

Just Getting Started

Last week's opening reception for Summerfair Cincinnati’s Emerging Artists exhibition was a celebration for family and friends at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3412 Clifton Ave.

This annual exhibition features works by junior and senior art students from Greater Cincinnati colleges, with participants nominated by their professors.  

Summerfair also recognized this year’s winners.

• Jerry Bollen Award: Madison Taylor, Mount St. Joseph University

• First Place: Kerigan Pollard, Mount St. Joseph University

• Second Place: Sophia Kroto, UC–DAAP

• Third Place: Ethan Fessler, UC–DAAP

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.

Madison Taylor, Mount St. Joseph University, winner of Jerry Bollen Award, with Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director and Jill Conway, Summerfair’s board president.

Kerigan Pollard, Mount St. Joseph University, first place winner, with Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director and Jill Conway, Summerfair’s board president.

Sophia Kroto, UC–DAAP, second place winner, with Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director and Jill Conway, Summerfair’s board president.

Ethan Fessler, UC–DAAP, third place winner, with Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director and Jill Conway, Summerfair’s board president.

Photos: Tasha Pinelo

Saying I Love You

Love is in the cards this Valentine’s Day, and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is making sure it reaches every corner of our community.

How to share the love…

• Visit a participating YMCA location

• Pick up your free Hallmark Valentine’s Day card

• Write a heartfelt message

• Drop it in the box and let the YMCA send it to your someone special

This Valentine’s season, the organization is giving members a heartfelt way to connect through its “1,000 I Love Yous” initiative.

Through this heartwarming program, YMCA members can send free Hallmark Valentine’s Day cards to their loved ones—because nothing says “I love you” like a handwritten note straight from the heart. The effort is part of the YWCA’s ongoing mission to strengthen relationships and build a more connected community, one love note at a time.

The goal was 1,000 cards, but now the YMCA is shooting for 3,000 love notes before the end of the week.

“We know relationships are so important and this type of programming is a key to our mission: improving family relationships and friendships. It's a big part of what we do at the Y,”said Jeff Saunders, vice president of brand experience at YWCA of Greater Cincinnati. "Bonus points if you send a card to someone you haven't said ‘I love you’ to in a while.”

Members can stop by all YMCA locations to sign and address their free cards, and the YMCA will take care of postage and mail them to their loved ones!

That’s a Wrap

The 46th edition of Utah’s Sundance Film Festival, while remaining a must-do for cinephiles, admittedly has a different vibe this year.

First, Park City’s Main Street, the principal destination for fest-goers, looks different since police barricades at the top and bottom of the street make it a pedestrian-only thoroughfare. (More on that later…)

Second, the usually snowy Wasatch Mountains surrounding Park City are nearly barren. While New Orleans got more than 8 inches of snow last week, Salt Lake City has received barely 6 inches for the season and the Wasatch Range’s snow drought of 2024 continues in 2025, with some areas reporting less than 60% of normal snow/water equivalent.

Third, is the undercurrent of Sundance’s possible move, with Salt Lake/Park City one of three finalists, along with Boulder, Colorado and, of course, Cincinnati as the new home for the iconic film festival. While no decision is expected until spring, it certainly was the early talk of the festival.

While we await the decision, let’s remember that Sundance is, first and foremost, a tradeshow for movie makers looking for buyers for their films. It is the premiere showcase for independent filmmakers, with nearly 16,000 submissions from 33 countries vying for one of the 88 film (and six episodic) projects making the cut this year. On top of that, it’s an economic boon for the host. The festival’s total economic impact in 2024, according to the festival, was estimated at $132 million, generating an estimated 1,730 jobs for Utah and generating $13.8 million in state and local tax revenue.

If the film’s the thing, then filmgoers had plenty to sample this year. Remembering that Sundance is a showcase for distributors looking for the next “CODA” or “Sex, Lies and Videotape,” Variety came out with its top picks for this year, including

• “Kiss of the Spider Woman” with Jennifer Lopez, based more on the Broadway adaptation than the 1985 film of the same name.

• “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” a documentary of the Oscar winner’s career and her activism within the deaf community.

• ‘Jimpa,” where we see John Lithgow (ALL of him, if you get what I mean) as a gay grandfather living in Amsterdam. His daughter (Olivia Coleman) visits from Australia with her nonbinary child that Lithgow lovingly calls his “grandthing.” 

• “Pee-wee as Himself,” a documentary where Paul Reubens talks about his career, his alter-ego Pee-wee Herman and his personal life. It truly is the last word on Reuben’s career, as he died in 2023, the day after recording his last interview for the documentary.

The movies go on, with increased police presence visible all around the festival. After the mass killing in New Orleans on New Year’s, law enforcement made the decision to close off Main Street and secure side streets going into the heart of town. While some feared the restrictions would cut down on retail and restaurant traffic, the opposite seems to be the case, at least through the first weekend. Attendees seemed to relish the open spaces of the street, and retailers liked the foot traffic unincumbered by parked cars, delivery trucks and piles of snow (remember, it hasn’t snowed a lot).

At the close of Sundance, the grand jury award winners included “Atropia,” in U.S. Dramatic competition; “Seeds,” U.S. Documentary competition; “Sabar Bonda” (Cactus Pears), World Cinema Dramatic competition, and “Cutting Through Rocks,” World Cinema Documentary competition. The NEXT Innovator Award presented by Adobe went to “Zodiac Killer Project.”

It was hard to go to a movie screening this week without running into someone from Cincinnati, as the region’s business, civic and arts leaders were out to experience the Sundance magic along with Film Cincinnati, the non-profit that brings new productions into the Greater Cincinnati area. In between the premieres and the parties, there’s serious business that happens at Sundance, nnd Cincinnati is right in the middle of it.

Stay Cool

This past Saturday, hundreds of brave souls said “Come on in the water is fine!” during Cincinnati Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ohio at The Banks.

The Polar Plunge is their largest community fundraising event benefiting athletes. This year, the event raised incredible $95,000.

In order to participate, individuals or teams collect had pledges to make the icy plunge in the name of inclusion. The commitment from plungers, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters helps Special Olympics empower athletes of all abilities and spread the message of inclusion far and wide.

Did you miss out? It's not too late to donate. You can still make a donation at sooh.org/polar-plung

Picture of Health

Do you know a student who is committed to supporting wellness and mental health for other young people?

The Joe Burrow Foundation invites Greater Baton Rouge, Greater Cincinnati, and Southeast Ohio students in grades 7–12 to develop and participate in activities commemorating World Teen Mental Wellness Day.

Find more information and apply at joeburrow.org/programs/world-teen-mental-wellness-day.

The Joe Burrow Foundation, bi3, Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!), Interact for Health, and the Rain Will Bring Flowers Foundation are inviting students to participate in World Teen Mental Wellness Day at their school.

In support of World Teen Mental Wellness Day, the Joe Burrow Foundation and partner organizations are awarding up to$1,000 per school to promote the day and raise awareness. The deadline to apply is Jan. 24.

The grant can be used by students to plan programs for World Teen Mental Wellness Day. These include wellness initiatives, raising awareness about mental health resources, and inspiring others to engage in self-care.

World Teen Mental Wellness Day, March 2, is observed annually to raise awareness of the mental health issues faced by teenagers, promote mental wellness, and determine solutions.

Each school can submit one application. Plans to promote World Teen Mental Wellness Day should:

• Reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and accessing care

• Increase awareness about the mental health resources available to students within your school and communities

• Encourage students to participate in wellness activities

Some ideas include:

• Promote the day on social media

• Create gear to wear on World Teen Mental Wellness Day

• Raise awareness for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Inspire students to engage in self-care

• Set up resource tables on campus

• Give students stress balls or other helpful items

• Breathing exercises with entire school

• Yoga or other physical activities with students

Best and Brightest

We loved BLINK. You loved BLINK. Now Ohio loves BLINK!

2025 Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio

Arts Administration 

• Zachary Thomas | Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) 

Arts Education (co-winners) 

• Padma Chebrolu | Cincinnati (Hamilton County) 

• James Swearingen | Grove City (Franklin County) 

Arts Support (co-winners)  

• Sara Jane DeHoff | Perrysburg (Wood County) 

• WYSO-FM | Yellow Springs (Greene County) 

Community Development and Participation (co-winners) 

• William Henry Caldwell | Dayton (Montgomery County) 

• Artsbridge, Inc. | Marietta (Washington County) 

Individual Artist 

• Gerardo Teissonnière | Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) 

Irma Lazarus  

• BLINK | Cincinnati (Hamilton County) 

Hailing from all corners of the state, nine outstanding Ohioans and arts organizations were selected to receive a Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio this year.  

BLINK, the nation’s largest art and light festival, was honored with the earned the Irma Lazarus Award as part of the 2025 Ohio Governor's Awards..

A tradition since 1971, the Governor's Awards showcase and celebrate exceptional Ohio artists, arts organizations, arts leaders and supporters, and educators. Award recipients are presented with the only arts award in the state that is conferred by the governor.   

"Through their work, this year’s Governor’s Awards winners have brought positive national and international acclaim to Ohio,” said OAC Executive Director Donna S. Collins. “Their artistic talents and contributions have improved the lives of Ohio’s residents. These honorees share efforts that align with the Ohio Arts Council’s mission to strengthen our communities culturally, educationally, and economically.” 

Additionally, Charley Moses, chair of the Capitol Square Foundation and board president of the Ohio History Connection, will receive a special recognition from the Ohio Arts Council’s board for his work to advance the arts throughout the state. 

In recognition of their impactful and visionary leadership in Ohio’s creative sector and their sustained dedication to promoting artistic excellence, awardees will be honored during a ceremony on May 28.  Each of the winners will receive an original work of art by painter Tara Yarzand of Sylvania.   

Making Good

Santa isn’t the only one making deliveries this holiday season!

The Joe Burrow Foundation, in partnership with Kroger, delivered 300 food boxes to families in need in all of its service areas.

Joe Burrow Foundation board members and Kroger representatives delivered 100 boxes to Cincinnati families yesterday at North College Hill Elementary. The Foundation will also be delivering food boxes in Athens, OH and Baton Rouge, LA today.

Families were invited to receive a box full of products for a holiday meal that includes ham, potatoes, fresh vegetables and dessert. They also received a swag bag from the Joe Burrow Foundation!

Brightly Shining

In honor of Joe Burrow's birthday on Dec. 10, the Joe Burrow Foundation partnered with Kendra Scott jewelry on a special line and a special donation to the organization.

Robin Burrow, Joe’s mom and the secretary and treasurer of the Joe Burrow Foundation, designed three pieces for the event – Who Dey! and Geaux Tigers! necklaces and a #9 charm. The store donated 20% of all purchases through Dec. 10 to foundation.

Though the sales event is over, you can still donate to JBF at joeburrow.org.

Artfully Done

The Contemporary Arts Center held one of the most creative fundraisers in the city on Saturday, Nov. 23, During the evening, CAC welcomed over 400 guests and raised nearly $170,000 in support of its mission to be a lab for understanding ourselves, others, and the world around through the creation and experience of all contemporary art forms.

The event, Cuisine Art Cocktails, explored the interplay between the visual and culinary arts through a full-museum immersive experience and celebration of contemporary Cincinnati. More than 40 partners activated the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art with cuisine, art, and cocktail experiences, all to support Cincinnati’s home for contemporary art.

Photos: Shae Huth

Take Me to the River

Photos: Tasha Pinelo

Some 200 cruise experiences will be offered during America’s River Roots on

• Steamboat NATCHEZ from the port of New Orleans

• Belle of Louisville and the Mary M. Miller from the port of Louisville

• Celebration Belle from the port of Moline, Illinois

• Belle of Memphis from the port of Memphis

• Three Rivers Queen from the port of Pittsburgh

• Anson & Betsey Northrup from the port of Minneapolis/St. Paul

• Belle of Cincinnati and River Queen from the port of Cincinnati

Cruise options: brunch cruise, lunch cruise, dinner cruise, late-night cruise, Riverboat Race cruise, parade cruise, sight seeing cruise and family sight seeing cruise. Tickets for cruises are on sale now.

For information, visit www.americasriverroots.com.

America’s River Roots, a celebration of inland river cuisine, music and culture to kick off America’s 250th Anniversary, announced today the nine riverboats that will be featured in the event to be held along the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport from October 8–12, 2025.

At the event Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. issued good-natured challenges to the mayors of Louisville and Memphis to riverboat races. Captain Alan Bernstein of BB Riverboats explained to to everyone the grand history of shenanigans historically involved in riverboat races.

Mayors from river cities, including Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati of Moline, IL, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell have been invited to join in America’s celebration of river culture by participating in the River Expo Pavilion and identifying their best musicians to perform one of nine stages.

America’s River Roots has been endorsed as an official event of the Ohio 250 and Kentucky 250 Commissions to celebrate America’s 250th in 2026. Rob Portman is working with the U.S. America 250 Commission, established by Congress, to secure designation as a national signature event.

Additional programming will be announced throughout 2025 and will include: nationally-recognized and emerging artists who will perform on multiple stages on both sides of the river. A River Roots Gospel Revival and education programs will put a spotlight on The Freedom Journey, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. Culinary attractions will include celebrity chef presentations, bourbon and craft beer tastings, multicultural food vendors, and regional food artisans.

With Honor

The DAV 5K is an annual walk, run, roll, or ride to thank those who served, and to raise awareness of the issues our ill and injured veterans face every day. On Saturday, Nov. 9 More than 2,300 participated in the event.

Funds raised help Disabled American Veterans (DAV), headquartered in NKY, provide a lifetime of support to veterans. Downtown buildings will also be lighting up green for DAV in honor of Veterans Day.

In Fine Style

Photos: Tasha Pinelo

Dress for Success celebrated its 25th anniversary with an unforgettable event on Friday, Nov. 1 at Cincinnati Museum Center, raising more than $425,000 to support their mission of empowering women.

The program included a fashion show, silent auction, and raffle. Models, including DFS clients, wore ensembles from designer Gerardo Encinas and Donna Salyers’ Fabulous Furs. The evening’s emcee, Tierra Strickland, received the Mary Ivers Success Award. whose story of resilience perfectly captured the spirit of Dress for Success Cincinnati. Jackie Reau, a longtime supporter of DFS, was the honorary chair of the event.

Find out more about DFS Cincinnati and donate at dfscincy.org.

Lights Out

Did you BLINK?

Cincinnati played host to the the nation's largest immersive art and light show last weekend, as BLINK®, illuminated by ArtsWave stretched more than 30 blocks from Findlay Market to Newport and Covington.

BLINK 2024's impact is still being tabulated, but Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and partner organizations determined the 2022 BLINK festival attracted more than two million attendees across the four-day event, resulting in a direct economic impact of $126 million dollars. Additionally, the 2022 event directly supported or created 1,687 jobs, and generated $1.5 million dollars in direct artist commissions, honorariums, and art fees.

At the heart of its mission, BLINK continues to solidify the Cincinnati region as a hub of arts and culture, and the BLINK team made this possible by honoring the rich and diverse history of the city itself. Known for its collaborative spirit, BLINK paired awe-inspiring murals with projection mapping and lighting to create wholly engaging experiences.

Ready to Glow?

Click to download PDF map.

The best way to navigate is with a map, obviously.

This is especially true for BLINK. Spanning three cities this time out, you’ll need more than a route, you’ll need a plan.

Start you journey with the dynamic map at blinkcincinnati.com/map.

With the Experience Map you’ll be able to see exact locations within the footprint where light projections, newly painted murals, activations, live music performances, suggested walking routes, and key locations like drone viewing and hospitality areas can be found.

This map also includes interactive features that provide additional details about the art and artists. 

BLINK organizers have created walking trails within each zone to guide attendees in their travels. Each trail is less than 1.5 miles, and it’s recommended attendees try one or two per night to see key highlights of the festival if they do not have time to plan on their own.

If you’re looking for more detailed itineraries – and want to share those with friends – download the NEW ArtsWave app.

Not only is the app your guide for BLINK, it’s also your passport to the best in arts and entertainment in Cincinnati.

New app users can BLINK Insider with a $10 donation to ArtsWave.

The BLINK Insider is the best way to see what’s happening before and during the event, with insights from BLINK’s executive director, artist interviews, and sneak previews. The Insider also includes easy-to-use zone maps, itineraries for each day of the festival, and the music line-ups, all at the click of a button. Along with information about parking and finding restrooms, the BLINK Insider will offer real-time event updates from BLINK’s Command Central.

 Users who download the app through the end of BLINK will automatically be entered to win a stay at 21C Museum Hotel in the NightWatch Room. This exclusive experience includes dinner at the Metropole and two theater tickets.

The ArtsWave app is available now in the App Store or Google Play.

Picture Yourself

On the heels of being named a finalist to host the Sundance Film Festival, Film Cincinnati now has even more to celebrate.

Next year, Cincinnati will be the host city for the Association of Film Commissions International (AFCI) Cineposium and the organization’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 2025. Cincinnati joins such cities as Bogota, Colombia, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Los Angeles who have served as hosts for the global event.

In light of unprecedented challenges in the industry, including strikes and production delays, Film Cincinnati has sought innovative ways to diversify the film industry’s economic impact. As a nonprofit economic development agency, Film Cincinnati’s mission is to create and cultivate the local industry ecosystem and develop a robust workforce.

“We believe it is crucial to explore all possibilities beyond traditional film," said Kristen Schlotman, president/CEO of Film Cincinnati. “What better way to show what our region has to offer than to bring the leaders of the global film industry to our area.”

With the AFCI's return to North America, Film Cincinnati will have the opportunity to showcase Cincinnati to a global audience. Following the successful bid, Cincinnati will host industry professionals from around the world in September 2025 for a conference and celebration. The conference will also be open to interested parties outside of the association.  

“We are honored to have the leading association of film commissions in the world coming to Cincinnati,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, meetNKY president and CEO. “Film Cincinnati has made our area a desired location to shoot movies and it is exciting to have the industry’s leading decision makers come see what we have to offer.”

Established in 1975, the AFCI is the only global non-profit professional organization representing city, state, regional, provincial, and national film commission members across six continents. AFCI champions advocacy, connectivity, and education, empowering film commissions and industry stakeholders to drive economic growth, build robust infrastructure, and advance professional development.

“As we mark AFCI’s 50th anniversary, we are energized to unite our global membership with industry powerhouses in Cincinnati for this milestone event,” said Jaclyn Philpott, AFCI executive director. “This celebration is not just about honoring our past, but about igniting new collaborations between film commissions and the industry at large.”