Making Waves Blog

We've seen a spate of local film festivals and major film productions in Greater Cincinnati recently, and none of it is a coincidence.

This week, through the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. Department of State, ArtsWave held a meeting with eight NGO leaders from Iraq to share ideas.

As summer heats up, the arts are offering more than ever to attract local and out-of-town visitors to Cincinnati.

Any way you look at it, leveraging Cincinnati’s arts assets is smart for our economy and a quick return on investment.

Greater Cincinnati’s arts are showing their power in building our region’s reputation as a top place to live, work, play and learn.

Over and over we see how people’s minds are opened and changed about Cincinnati once they come to visit. Recently, ArtsWave had the chance to wow visitors when we hosted 25 community arts campaign leaders from 10 different cities.

Music Hall has been open to the public for just about two weeks, and already the extensive renovations are serving as a model for success to other cities. New York City, to be more specific.

Over $100,000 in new Catalyzing Impact grants were awarded to 17 local organizations, recommended by community volunteers who reviewed 35 applications. All the projects are worthy and exciting, but a few especially captured my attention for their sensitive responses to ArtsWave’s goals outlined in our Blueprint for Collective Action for the Arts Sector.