Making Waves Blog

Cincinnati has earned a spot among the nation's top 20 most arts-vibrant large communities for the fourth consecutive year, according to SMU DataArts' rankings. The region ranks in the top 1% for earned program revenue and top 2% for arts worker compensation, reflecting its thriving cultural scene.

What happens when you mix vintage neon signs with vow renewals, or reimagine a night at the symphony as a laid-back listening party? Cincy is about to find out, thanks to ArtsWave's latest round of grants. With over $100,000 in new funding, these creative projects and more are breaking down traditional barriers and creating fresh ways to experience the arts.

The Holiday Insider Guide, free to all ArtsWave App users, helps make your holiday season both a little hollier and a little jollier, with curated performances, a gift-giving guide, a comprehensive list of light displays and more.

ArtsWave honored local arts leaders and set the stage for the future of Cincy's arts at its recent Annual Meeting. Let's dive into the highlights that have the arts community buzzing.

ArtsWave is revolutionizing arts engagement with the new ArtsWave App. Launched on October 1, 2024, the app represents more than just a technological upgrade — it's a strategic move to foster a more vibrant regional economy and connected community through the arts.

We asked Gee Horton, the local artist behind BLINK's first multi-part mural series, to discuss his inspiration, creative process, and advice for aspiring artists.

Can you believe it’s been nearly 100 years since ArtsWave started making waves in our community? To mark this milestone, we’re launching the ArtsWave 100 Endowment for Arts Education Experiences.

Do you remember how the arts impacted you as a student? As we prepare to celebrate National Arts in Education Week, find out how your support keeps the arts in Cincy schools.

Looking for something to do over the three-day weekend? Cincy A&E has you covered!

Where can you find one subscription that comes with access to visual art, music, dance and theater from nationally renowned Black artists? In the Cincinnati region, there's only one answer.

ArtsWave and Orange Barrel Media recently partnered to turn ad space into an art gallery. It's one of the many ways the Cincinnati region brings the arts to unexpected places.

Wave Pool is more than a gallery space; it's a creative ecosystem where artists and community members coalesce, experiment and grow together.

Ken and Carrie Goldhoff have benefited from the generosity of their community. Today, they want to pay it forward. That's why the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council honored the Goldhoffs at the Voices of Giving Awards, honoring those who build their legacy through planned giving. Their generosity will ensure that future Cincy generations benefit from a vibrant arts community.

The Sundance Film Festival is eyeing Cincinnati as it considers moving to a new home. Why? Maybe it's a century of community investment in our cutting-edge, collaborative arts sector. It could be our region's investment in new and revitalized arts and cultural facilities. Maybe it's the reputation of our local film industry. Most likely, it's all of these things and more.

Picture a museum where you can chat with artists as they create the works on display. Now, remove the walls, set it in a park and add music. The result, now in its fifth year, is the CMF Outdoor Museum.

The circus is always in town in Evendale thanks to My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus. The organization does more than clown around. It provides a sense of belonging, which can be a boon to youth development.

The Truth & Innovation Artist Showcase, now in its fourth year, has funded 90 artist projects and distributed nearly $1 million in grants since 2020. Through it and other initiatives, ArtsWave is building the region's largest financial support mechanism for Black and Brown artists.

The Cincinnati Men's Chorus (CMC) has been promoting harmony and inclusivity through music since 1991, making it the oldest LGBTQ+ arts organization in the city.

Happy Pride Month! It's that fabulous time of year when we come together to celebrate love, diversity and acceptance. What better way to do that than through the arts!

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company not only entertains but also inspires the younger generation. They receive yearly operational support from ArtsWave, which is what allows them to offer educational matinees at low or no cost to schools.