Making Waves Blog

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.

More than 160 top executives signaled strong support for the 2024 ArtsWave Community Campaign by contributing a total of $2 million. That Campaign wrapped this week, having raised more than ever for the region's arts.

Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers aims to bring more dance to more Cincinnatians. In its Dance Academy that means everything from a flexible costume policy to free tuition. "What matters to us is that you're coming to dance class. That's what's important," says studio director and programs manager Claire Dieringer.

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.