A short film about a grieving scientist who develops a method of severing the body from the soul.

Sculptural works that reflect the connections lost alongside shifts in language between generations after immigration.

A multi-sensory musical work that explores the impact of class and power structures on individual mental health.

Where can you find these and many more new works by Cincy's top artists of color?

The answer is ArtsWave's Truth & Innovation Artist Showcase, part of its Black and Brown Artist Program. Now in its fourth year, the program has funded 90 artist projects and distributed nearly $1 million in grants since 2020. Combined with initiatives like capacity-building "Circle Grants" for arts organizations led by people of color, ArtsWave is building the region's largest financial support mechanism for Black and Brown artists.

While resourcing growth in the local Black arts ecosystem, ArtsWave creates space each year to showcase the voices of artists within the community. This year's artists created works across genres, focusing on the meaning of "Truth" and "Innovation" within the context of the modern BIPOC experience. Each artist incorporates community collaboration, inviting us all to play a role in innovating toward an equitable future for the Cincinnati region. 

The showcase features a film festival on Friday, June 12 at the Contemporary Arts Center, which includes Markus Cook's "The Coming Sleep," described above. Visitors to the Clifton Cultural Arts Center from June 13 to September 8 will find visual art like Emily Hakano Momohara's "Mother Tongue" sculptural project. At The Carnegie on Sunday, June 14, find live performances, including selections from Chaya J.'s "In My Mind" musical compositions.

ArtsWave thanks those who donated to its annual Campaign for making the showcase possible, as well as the City of Cincinnati, Duke Energy, Fifth Third Bank, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Macy's, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Walter C. Frank, and Peter and Betsy Niehoff, with media support from Creativity Squared. 

Find the full schedule for the Truth & Innovation Artist Showcase at artswave.org/truth.