Creativity Meets Community: ArtsWave YP Grants Spark New Connections in Cincy

Let’s say you’re a young professional trying to decide whether to move to (or stay in) the Cincinnati region. Would it make a difference to know you’d have opportunities to meet other young professionals who share your interests?

For example, if you could network while working alongside local artists to co-create new works? What if you could go through a guided process to form a rock band? How about focusing on your overall wellness while participating in cultural exchange with local immigrant and refugee communities?

ArtsWave’s Young Professional Grant program is a vote of confidence that the arts can make a difference in where talented young professionals put down roots. Launched in 2016 and funded in part by the contributions of ArtsWave YP members to the annual Community Campaign, ArtsWave YP Grants support innovative projects that transform how the next generation experiences Greater Cincinnati’s cultural scene.

At its recent Annual Meeting, ArtsWave’s Board of Trustees gave final approval for 12 projects to receive ArtsWave YP Grants in 2026, based on ArtsWave YP Committee recommendations.

Arts Experiences That Break the Mold

The funded projects for 2026 showcase the breadth of Cincinnati’s arts community. Here’s a glimpse at just a few of the experiences coming soon:

Creative Collaboration Across Communities: Generation NOW is partnering with Black Art Speaks to launch quarterly Creative Labs where participants co-create visual, digital and performance art alongside local Black artists. These collaborative sessions culminate in showcase events at venues throughout Cincinnati, blending artistic expression with meaningful networking opportunities.

Rock Stars in the Making: Girls Rock Cincinnati is bringing its transformative camp experience to the 20-40 age group with “Remix 2026.” Participants form bands, write original music and perform at a showcase event after weeks of creative collaboration. The program creates space for both artistic expression and building lasting connections among Cincinnati’s creative community.

Wellness Through Rhythm and Cultural Exchange: Cincinnati Music & Wellness Coalition is offering a unique blend of evidence-based music wellness programs alongside cultural exchange with immigrant and refugee communities. Participants will experience stress-reducing group drumming sessions and Clavinova Connection activities while also learning cultural arts traditions from around the world.

Creating Connections That Last
What makes these programs special isn’t just their creative approach. It’s their power to forge meaningful connections. Each experience creates opportunities for young professionals to develop relationships with both the arts and one another, addressing one of the key factors in retention of talent: a sense of belonging.

These programs are about more than just entertainment. They create spaces where young professionals can actively shape Cincy’s cultural landscape while building their personal and professional networks.

The 12 funded projects represent just the beginning of what’s possible when young professionals invest in creating the cultural experiences they want to see in their community. Each initiative offers a unique entry point for engagement, ensuring there’s something for everyone looking to connect more deeply with Cincinnati.

Visit artswave.org/ypgrants to discover all 12 innovative projects and find your next creative community.