Making Waves Blog

CincyJams is back and bigger than ever. You won't want to miss this year's workplace Battle of the Bands

Have you ever wondered how you could make a difference for your favorite local arts organizations? The first step could be closer than you think. To be part of ArtsWave's Boardway Bound training program, all you need is a desire to make an impact on the arts.

The Teaching Artist Program at Visionaries + Voices demonstrates the capabilities and creativity of people with developmental disabilities, creating educational opportunities that impact both students and teachers alike.

On March 16, Cincinnati Men's Chorus performed with Cincinnati Boy Choir and the St. Xavier High School Men's Choir in "Sons of Song."

It can be hard to describe the kind of projects Know Theatre of Cincinnati produces, but producing artistic director Andrew Hungerford takes a crack at it: "We do work that's super exciting and f*****g awesome," he says.

"People don't always face uncomfortable topics head-on. Sometimes they tiptoe around them," says Alyssa Batsakis, CEO and producing artistic director of the Ghostlight Stage Company. That sort of tiptoeing can keep uncomfortable truths in the dark. Therein lies the origin story for "Shining A Light," a series of workshops made possible in part by your gift as an ArtsWave YP member. The series aims to bring questions of accessibility and gatekeeping to the forefront of conversations in and around Cincy's arts.

William Cooper Procter, the last member of P&G's founding families to run the company, served as the very first chairman of the board for the organization known today as ArtsWave. Nearly 100 years later, P&G is consistently a top corporate partner for ArtsWave. That relationship underscores the vital partnership between the arts and business in building  a strong, vibrant community. In the latest episode of ArtsWrap, Alecia speaks with P&G's chairman, president & CEO, Jon Moeller, and Lisa Sauer, retired P&G executive, about that relationship.

Imagine learning that one of your investments is returning nearly $43 on every dollar. According to a study released this week, that's the return the Cincinnati region sees for its investment in the arts.

This time of year, Cincy's arts organizations serve up annual traditions. However, just because they're classics doesn't mean they always have to be the same. Two local performing arts groups prove that with their holiday shows this year. For one, that means using a classic to grow into a new space. For the other, it means bringing back a popular reimagining of a nearly 141-year-old work.

Where can you find the nation's first professional children’s theater, second oldest opera company, and the longest-running choral festival in the Western Hemisphere? They're all right here, and they all have rich histories. Their stories and more are coming to life through a new guided tour from American Legacy Tours and ArtsWave.

Cincy's arts landscape is sculpted by artists, administrators, patrons and more. Since 1929, the Rosa F. and Samuel B. Sachs Fund Prize has been awarded to those proverbial sculptors. The Prize honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Cincinnati region through its arts. Past recipients include Zaha Hadid, Kathy Y. Wilson and Stephen Sondheim. The 2023 recipients share a common thread — both use their artistic success to create social change in our community.

As someone who pays attention to the region's arts, you probably know there's something special about Cincy. Did you know that intuition is backed by hard data? SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, recently released its 8th annual list of the most arts-vibrant communities in the United States. Out of over 900 regions across the country, the Index has listed the Cincinnati region as one of its top 20 large communities since 2020.

Ideas are living things. Sometimes they grow beyond your expectations. Community leaders Mel Gravely, Delores Hargrove-Young and Edgar L. Smith launched the Circle of African American Leaders for the Arts in 2015, envisioning exclusive experiences with local arts organizations that could connect those who prioritize the arts for their potential to bridge cultural divides. That vision evolved in 2020

The Black and Brown Artist Program represents much more than a source of funding for artists. The grants come with a supportive cohort and a powerful endorsement that can open doors to new opportunities. We checked in with artists Michael Coppage and Julia O. Bianco to learn what impact their participation in the program had on their career trajectory. Spoiler alert: It was big.

"Do we accurately represent the community we serve?" Every arts organization must ask itself that question. What happens when the answer is no? More importantly, how do you address shortcomings in diversity, equity, inclusion and access while keeping the changes sustainable?

A new year means new leadership for ArtsWave Pride. We are thrilled to welcome Kara Sanders and Tim Giglio as the 2024 Steering Committee Co-Chairs for 2024. We sat down with Tim and Kara to hear all about the professional and personal journeys that brought them to where they are now.

According to Americans for the Arts, "cultural equity is critical to the long-term viability of the arts sector." How has the national arts sector lived up to that statement in recent years? How does the Cincinnati region stack up, and what can we do today to support a stronger, more arts-vibrant region for the future?

Let's face it: Investing in a brand new arts program for local kids sounds more exciting than helping an arts organization keep the lights on and pay its staff. But those bills still need to be paid. That's why ArtsWave's Sustaining Impact grant program is a central pillar in how it supports the Cincinnati region's arts.

This month, local artists of color enjoyed the spotlight through the Truth & Healing Artist Showcase. The culmination of the 2023 Black and Brown Artist Program, the Showcase spotlights 18 local artists who examine themes of healing, rebirth and reconnection through fashion, painting, sculpture, film, music, podcasts, theater, dance and more.

As traditional audiences change their habits, Cincinnati's arts leaders see an opportunity to listen, respond and change, building a new base that better reflects the region while deepening their connections with the community.