Flow Turns Five: Why the Celebration of Cultural Curiosity Matters More Than Ever

What does it mean to build a culturally curious audience? Five years ago, local community leaders got together with ArtsWave to answer that question. Together, they created Flow, an African American Arts Experience, which celebrates its fifth anniversary in the 2025-26 season. Flow stands as a testament to what happens when a region commits to elevating Black artistry across its premier cultural institutions.

Since its inception in 2020, Flow has evolved from a promising initiative into a cultural force for the Cincinnati region. The program does more than showcase Black artists. It creates space for their work to be experienced, celebrated and discussed.

The Flow Pass: A Gateway to Cultural Connection
At the heart of this anniversary season is the return of the Flow Pass, presented by Fifth Third Bank. Flow Pass subscribers gain premium access to four events, spanning visual art, orchestral music, theater and opera. The pre-show “Flow Social” for subscribers features drinks, light bites and opportunities to connect with artists and fellow arts supporters.

What really makes the Flow Pass significant is the community it builds. As Flow‘s co-chair and Triversity Construction Executive Chair Mel Gravely explains, “Over five years, we’ve been building a culturally curious and diverse audience, coming together to experience excellence in Black artistry. The outcome enables more Black artists to thrive and inspire.”

A Season of Artistic Excellence
The 2025-26 season showcases the breadth and depth of Black artistic expression:

October 17, 2025
“Marcus Leslie Singleton: Next Steps”
at the Contemporary Arts Center

The first solo museum exhibition dedicated to Singleton’s intimate paintings of Black American communities.

January 17, 2026
“American Voices”
with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through influential African American composers.

April 24, 2026
August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson”
at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

The Pulitzer Prize-winning exploration of family, legacy and identity.

July 9, 2026
“Lalovavi”
at Cincinnati Opera

An Afrofuturist adventure set 400 years in the future.

Why Flow Matters
In a region working to embrace its full cultural diversity, Flow represents a commitment to ensuring Black voices and perspectives remain central to Cincinnati’s cultural identity. The initiative complements and expands the region’s existing multicultural experiences while creating sustainable opportunities for Black artists to thrive.

The Flow Pass is both a ticket package and an invitation to participate in a cultural movement that can reshape Cincinnati’s artistic landscape. By bringing together diverse audiences around exceptional Black artistry, Flow creates spaces where new connections form and deeper understanding develops.

As the program enters its fifth year, its impact extends beyond individual performances to the broader cultural ecosystem, demonstrating how intentional support for Black artistry enriches the entire community.

Subscribe to the Flow Pass today to get access to the four events listed above, as well as the pre-show Flow Socials.