Discover More: How Your Support Transforms the Cincinnati Region

Millions of visitors stand mesmerized by illuminated facades at BLINK. Thousands of students visit theaters and museums for their first arts field trip. The national spotlight shines on the region, recognizing Cincy as one of the top arts-vibrant regions in the world. These scenarios all showcase the power of the arts, but they have something else in common.

They don’t happen by accident.

The Cincinnati region’s arts are a powerful force for unity, education and community pride. As the region prepares for another year of creative exploration, a remarkable story of collective impact is unfolding across neighborhoods, schools and public spaces. It’s a story made possible by people like you.

A Canvas for Connection

“What we’re seeing across the Cincinnati region is the result of decades of intentional, collective investment,” explains James Zimmerman, partner-in-charge at Taft, Stettinius & Hollister. “The arts don’t just happen on their own. They thrive when a community chooses to support them together, year after year.”

Zimmerman, after running ArtsWave’s Board of Directors, is stepping up once again on behalf of the arts, this time as Chair of the 2026 ArtsWave Community Campaign. What does it look like when the arts thrive – when the community chooses to make them thrive?

It looks like national recognition, like Cincinnati ranking among the top 5% of the nation’s most arts-vibrant communities according to the Arts Vibrancy Index from SMU DataArts. That’s the top 5% of more than 900 communities nationwide, which is the highest ranking for any community across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

Classrooms Transformed Through Creativity

The impact of Cincinnati’s arts scene extends far beyond gallery walls and performance venues. In classrooms across the region, nearly 20,000 students experience the transformative power of the arts through field trips each year.

Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Shauna Murphy has witnessed this transformation firsthand. “When students experience the arts together, whether it’s their first theater performance or museum visit, it changes how they experience learning and how they see each other,” Murphy explains. “These field trips aren’t extras. They’re meaningful experiences that support academic growth, creativity and connection across our district.”

This spring, 1,300 second graders will attend Cincinnati Ballet’s production of “Pinocchio.” Many of them will be experiencing live ballet for the first time. Moments like those can spark a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Discovering More

The 2026 ArtsWave Campaign’s theme is “Discover More.” That’s an invitation to explore how art enriches our lives and communities. ArtsWave President & CEO Alecia Kintner explains, “It’s about discovering more connection between neighbors, more opportunity for students, more vibrancy in our neighborhoods and more reasons to feel proud of the Cincinnati region. The arts make all of that possible.”

This spirit of discovery will be on full display when BLINK returns this year, with ArtsWave serving as the illuminating sponsor. The festival will once again transform the urban landscape into an immersive canvas that brings together people from all walks of life.

Since 1927, Cincinnati has embraced a unique approach to supporting its creative ecosystem. Today, that collective investment supports more than 150 arts organizations, projects and artists, ensuring that creative experiences remain accessible to everyone while strengthening the region’s cultural identity. The arts have become a defining characteristic of Cincinnati.

ArtsWave’s 2026 Community Campaign runs through May 19. You can join us in supporting the Cincinnati region’s arts community by making your gift at artswave.org/give.