2024 ArtsWave Pride Grants

ArtsWave Pride grants support programs that promote and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in the Cincinnati region. Grants are made possible by the donations of ArtsWave Pride members to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.

Here are the projects that will receive the grant in 2024:

Church of Our Saviour/La Iglesia de Nuestro Salvador | LGBTQIA+ Arts Showcase

The music and arts ministry of the Church of Our Saviour (Lives United/Vidas Unidas) will host a cross-disciplinary event featuring LGBTQIA+ artists of Cincinnati for a one-night extravaganza. The event celebrates performing, visual and culinary LGBTQIA+ artists who live and work in Cincinnati. Church of Our Saviour will emphasize the work of young artists whose art reflects their personal experiences as Queer individuals. The event begins with an hour-long performance of these artists' work, followed by a reception with catering and culinary arts by Jeff Thomas, as well as a visual art installation.

Cincinnati Art Museum | "Queer Possibility: An Open-Source Guide to the Cincinnati Art Museum"

The Cincinnati Art Museum will produce the "Queer Possibility" guide — a free, printed booklet inspired by internationally respected, non-binary museum consultant Margaret Middleton's 2022 prototype. Inviting, open and playful in tone, the guide acknowledges and affirms the perspectives of Queer visitors, giving all visitors tools to look at the museum's collection through a Queer lens.

Cincinnati Men's Chorus | "Sons of Song" free community outreach concert

The Cincinnati Men's Chorus will begin a new tradition in its 33rd season, presenting a free community outreach concert every March. The 2024 outreach concert, "Sons of Song" features the talents of the Cincinnati Men's Chorus, Cincinnati Boychoir and Covington Catholic Chamber Choir.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | "ShakesQueer"

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company once again partners with local drag and burlesque troupe Smoke and Queers to produce Cincinnati's second annual Shakespearean drag show. After the successful pilot of this program, CSC and Smoke and Queers plan to expand in the coming season. The evening will open with a cocktail hour, during which attendees can socialize with fellow Shakespeare and drag show aficionados before being treated to a bawdy, Bard-y ballyhoo. CSC encourages performers to make their acts a communal, interactive audience experience. At the end of the production, performers will engage with the audience for photos and social media engagement.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra | 2024 Pride Concert

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will present a free Pride Concert as part of its annual Brady Block Party series. The Orchestra will collaborate with Cincinnati Men's Chorus and other local organizations to present the concert in one of Cincinnati's neighborhood parks. Brady Block Parties are planned collaboratively with local neighborhoods, aiming to connect individuals to the music and with each other by highlighting and reflecting assets within their communities. In that spirit, this Pride-focused Brady Block Party will bring together and highlight LGBTQIA+ art, artists, community organizations, social services and more — all with a fun, inclusive atmosphere for Cincinnatians of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.

A Mindful Moment/The Well | Saturdays on Planet Love: Creativity, Connection, Community

Saturdays on Planet Love is a series of peer-facilitated gatherings where LGBTQIA+ youth and adults can come together at The Well for free community connection, art-making and mindful practice. The gatherings will include guided meditation, movement and awareness practice, as well as prompts to get to know each other better and to create a work of art or writing. At the end of the session, attendees will share what they worked on and what it means to them. The Well will exhibit works created during the sessions in a quarterly exhibition.

Revolution Dance Theatre | The Dream Project: Guest Artist Series

The Dream Project is a groundbreaking initiative using social marketing, live performances and arts education opportunities to center historically underrepresented communities. In providing positive representation in media and on stage, The Dream Project is an opportunity for the disenfranchised to find a voice and to literally see themselves in a new story. The workshop and performance series will connect nationally recognized Queer talent with Cincinnati artists and audiences.

Visionaries + Voices | "Joy Fuel" inclusive art workshops and exhibition

An essential attribute of V+V is the creation and expression of joy. Building onto its partnership with Imperial Sovereign Queen City Court of the Buckeye Empire (ISQCCBE), V+V will offer a slate of LGBTQIA+ artist-led workshops throughout the year. In advance of its biannual "Bands & Drag" events, the organization will teach costume design, makeup and choreography techniques to bring that joyful art form to a wider audience. V+V will also host a Pride-themed group exhibition with a guest curator selected from the local Queer community.

WordPlay Cincy | Youth Arts in Action

The Youth Arts in Action program allows LGBTQIA+ identifying Teen Artists to explore social justice while honing artistic excellence. Youth teams will conduct research on social justice issues that affect their lives as teaching artist-mentors provide instruction in their chosen artistic medium. Students will examine their lived experiences to uncover and share personal narratives fostering empathy, connection and belonging. Creative projects will focus on present-day social issues that impact local communities, culminating in a youth-led public showcase.