posted by Rebecca Calkin ON
Mar 31, 2015
The only thing better than the amazing arts in our region is when those arts opportunities are FREE. Check out some of the ways to experience the arts at little to no cost this spring. Join the conversation about amazing arts experiences by using #CincySpringArts. Share photos, video, or updates about your arts experiences!
APRIL
MamLuft&Co. Dance presents Dance at Dusk, a free spring dance concert of solos and a world premiere trio. This is an absolute can't-miss modern dance experience! Rain dates: April 9 & 10. Check weather for April 3, at Smale Riverfront Park.
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Off the Hill show Bird Brain will be touring across the region from April 10 - May 23. Find a free performance near you!
Like baseball and art? Check out Up At Bat: Warhol and Baseball at the Cincinnati Art Museum. This exhibition brings together Warhol’s three known paintings of baseball players, each of whom rose to the level of pop celebrity during his lifetime, together for the first time on record. From April 11
Eddy Kwon and the MYCincinnati Ambassador Ensemble present five free performances in April. The radical youth string ensemble performs original music inspired by their conversations on social justice. April 12 - 26
Complete the canon (again) with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Catch free Shakespeare performances with Project 38 from April 15-21.
Get up close with puppets for A Day of Puppetry from the Cincinnati Area Puppetry Guild. April 18 from 11:00am-2pm.
At the Kennedy Heights Arts Center with the Mayerson JCC: About Faith. This exhibit of art by nine Jewish women artists in celebration of National Jewish Arts Month is on display through April 18. An initiative of American Guild of Judaic Artists.
Hear presentations from vocal health experts and opera singers on World Voice Day, presented by the Cincinnati Opera on April 18 from 9am-12:30pm.
MAY
Head to Blue Ash and see a new production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar with Kinderballet. May 2, 3-5pm
Free authentic Latino music, dancing, and more with the Cincy Cinco Latino Festival on Fountain Square. May 2 & 3
Northern Kentucky University will present a free concert by eight-time Grammy nominated jazz pianist Fred Hersch on Friday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Greaves Concert Hall.
Learn how to swing dance for free! The Cincy Swing Fest is May 15 from 6-10pm on Fountain Square.
Artists from Cincinnati Opera's mainstage summer season, dynamic congregational choirs, and young artists perform a variety of musical genres including gospel, sacred, jazz, contemporary, and classical. Opera Goes to Church, May 20 (free tickets available starting April 10).
Free dancing, music, and fun in Washington Park--yes please! Over 1,500 third grade students will share a dance with Cincinnati Ballet for CincyDance! on May 20 at noon.
OTR Performs is back at Washington Park each Sunday night, starting May 31 with Cincinnati King from Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Free art, music, and theatre performances in the park. Also enjoy Bandstand Bluegrass on Thursdays and Friday Fusion each week during the late spring / early summer.
Summer at Fountain Square is hopping, and free. May marks the start of weekly Salsa on the Square, American Roots Concerts, Reggae Wednesdays, MidPoint Indie Summer, and Beats by Self Diploma.
JUNE
Free outdoor opera! Opera in the Park from the Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is back in Washington Park on June 7.
Artists from Cincinnati Opera's mainstage summer season, dynamic congregational choirs, and young artists perform a variety of musical genres including gospel, sacred, jazz, contemporary, and classical. Opera Goes to Temple, June 14 (free tickets available starting April 10).
The Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra are bringing back their free community concerts. See the CSO on June 25 in Troy, OH.
ONGOING
Discover more amazing free things to do at Cincinnatiusa.com, including visual arts, performing arts, music, literary events, and culture.
Love museums? You can always visit the Taft Museum of Art for free on Sundays (thanks to Western & Southern Financial Group). Want something more modern? The Contemporary Arts Center has free admission (thanks to Macy's) on Monday nights from 5-9pm. The Cincinnati Art Museum has free admission, as well as numerous free events (especially on weekends), like daily tours, Art 360, Art After Dark, Family First Saturdays, and more!
Downtown has lots of great opportunities for free art. Check out the Weston Art Gallery, located next to the Aronoff Center; discover your new favorite ArtWorks murals, take a glance at the YWCA gallery, or see some free art at the public library.
Looking for something a little more daring? Manifest Gallery shows some of the latest cutting-edge art, and is always free to visit!
Christ Church Cathedral (in downtown Cincinnati) has Music Live at Lunch every Tuesday! Free if you bring your own lunch, or just $5 to buy lunch at the cathedral.
Wednesdays mean free live theatre at Know Theatre of Cincinnati. Read more about the radical and revolutionary "Welcome Experiment."
Want more info on free art? Follow ArtsWave on Facebook and Twitter to see more updates on free arts events.
Do you have a free arts event to add to this list? Email our Manager, Digital Communications Rebecca Calkin to get your event added.