Clifton’s Cultural Catalyst

Looking to learn how to do tai-chi, make stained glass? Want to find a place where you can browse a gallery, then use a kiln or a 3D printer before heading up to the roof for a yoga sessions? If you’re in Clifton, you’re in luck. You can find all that and more at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, and they bring even more out into the neighborhood.

The CCAC is a dynamic space that serves as a catalyst for bringing people together through the arts. The organization’s mission centers accessibility and inclusivity. More than half of their programming is dedicated to educational opportunities and social-emotional learning for all ages. “Our entire ethos is about being accessible and bringing people in, making it an inclusive space,” says executive director Leslie Mooney.

What does that commitment to community look like? If you walk through the CCAC’s gallery space, you’ll find work by regional and local artists all around you, often providing first-time opportunities for creators to share their work with broader audiences. If you visit the Make Shop, you’ll find a space that democratizes access to creative technologies and techniques. Community members can explore everything from 3D printing to stained glass workshops, taking part in experiences that might otherwise be inaccessible due to cost or space constraints.

Programming for Everyone

The CCAC’s calendar brims with diverse programming: Second Sunday Showtimes, Wednesdays in the Woods, Saturdays in the Park and Live@ U-Square events, to name a few. Classes range from tai chi and Pilates to visual arts, summer camps and music lessons. What makes this extensive programming remarkable is its accessibility. The CCAC keeps its art-making opportunities focused on community access by removing financial barriers. “Almost everything we do is free or very low cost,” Mooney says adding, “We wouldn’t be able to do it if it weren’t for ArtsWave.”

Those who contribute to the annual ArtsWave Campaign provide general operating support to many local arts organizations, including Clifton Cultural Arts Center. That support ensures low-cost classes, free performances and exhibition series and more. In fact, less than 30% of CCAC’s income comes from tuition and tickets.

Through a collaborative approach to arts funding and programming, the Clifton Cultural Arts Center continues to weave creativity into the fabric of life in Clifton, creating spaces where imagination and connection thrive.

This blog post is based on content from “Better Know Cincy‘s Arts,“ featuring Clifton Cultural Arts Center.