Did you know that Cincinnati is home to the first united arts fund AND the first professional baseball team in the country? While a partnership between a major sports team and a major arts funder may sound unlikely, it makes sense in Cincinnati.

“Art and baseball are two of the things that Cincinnatians take special pride in,” says Alecia Kintner, President  & CEO, ArtsWave. “Our partnership with the Cincinnati Reds celebrates what makes our community amazing.”

ArtsWave first approached the Cincinnati Reds two years ago with an opportunity to offer Reds tickets on the ArtsWave ArtsPass.  From this small beginning, a thriving partnership has grown that benefits both organizations.

Building the Base of Support

With Reds co-owner Tom Williams as this year’s ArtsWave Community  Campaign Chair and MLB All Star Game coming to Cincinnati this summer, the 2015 campaign seemed like a great opportunity to build on baseball fever. To encourage more donors to increase their giving to ArtsWave in 2015, the Cincinnati Reds have  offered a special incentive for donors who give $75 or more. 

Donors who step up in one of the ways below and opt in for donor benefits will receive an electronic voucher for 2 tickets to one of four Cincinnati Reds games.

- Increase gift to the ArtsPass level of $75
- Increase previous year’s gift of $75+ by 10%
- Give $75 or more for the first time

“The Step Up to the Plate initiative is designed to get more donors to give to ArtsWave at the ArtsPass level,” says Lisa Wolter, Sr. Director of Corporate Campaigns.  “We believe that the ArtsPass is a great way for people to discover the arts, and become more invested in our region.”

The Cincinnati Reds will also donate to ArtsWave, for the second year in a row, $5 from each April game ticket purchased through a special link: www.reds.com/artswave. Ticket buyers can enter the code 8019 to get 25 to 35 percent off tickets, or select their company name from the drop-down list if their company runs an ArtsWave workplace campaign. Last year, this fundraiser brought in more than $5,000 to the ArtsWave Annual Community Campaign.

Expanding and Delighting Audiences

On August 23, ArtsWave will host the third annual “Art in the Park” event at Great American Ball Park. ArtsWave brings music, theater, dancing, and hands-on arts activities to Great American Ball Park for pre-game family fun in the Fan Zone and other parts of the park. Sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, dance with Cincinnati Ballet, or laugh it up at the old “Who’s On First?” routine. Ticket holders to the Art in the Park game enjoy all the extra arts experiences for free.  Special discounts to the game are offered through the ArtsWave ArtsPass.

This year, the winner of ArtsWave’s CincySings competition will sing the national anthem at Great American Ball Park for the “Art in the Park” game.  “We love offering this extra prize to the winning CincySings team,” says Rebecca Bromels, Sr. Director of Communications and Engagement.

Celebrating the best of Cincinnati… that’s ArtsWave in Action!