Recognizing the power of the arts to connect communities and contribute to a thriving economy, 2016 ArtsWave Community Campaign Chairs Jill P. Meyer and Awadagin Pratt announced a goal to raise $12,450,000 this year to support arts making an impact in Greater Cincinnati.

“Arts are an absolute necessity,” said Meyer, President & CEO of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. “Cincinnati’s vibrant arts define our region in a unique way and will continue to help us build Cincinnati’s presence as an amazing place to live and work.”

Pratt and Meyer made the announcement Feb. 1 at a special concert to kick-off the 2016 Community Campaign. The unprecedented evening of music featured Pratt, who is a world-renowned concert pianist, along with University of Cincinnati President Santa Ono, a talented cellist, and the MYCincinnati Youth Orchestra.

NEVER ENOUGH ARTS

In 2015, ArtsWave broke its own fundraising record to remain the nation’s oldest and largest public arts fund. The organization mobilized more than 42,000 people in support of the arts and raised $12,250,000. ArtsWave invests these contributions in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metro region, supporting the work of more than 100 arts organizations and programs through impact-based grants and services. Each year, ArtsWave works to increase the ripple effect of benefits created by the arts.

“For a city of this size, we have a remarkable number of first-rate arts organizations,” said Pratt, artist-in-residence at the College-Conservatory of Music. “The arts inspire, they connect, they teach our children skills like self-discipline and collaboration. There can never be a place of enough arts.”

To focus and direct the power of the arts, ArtsWave announced in 2015 a 10-year strategic plan that works toward the broad regional outcomes of a more connected community and vibrant economy. The Blueprint for Collective Action complements other economic and community development efforts in Greater Cincinnati, setting five goals for the arts sector: to raise Cincinnati’s national reputation; to deepen roots in the region; to bridge cultural divides; to enliven neighborhoods; and to fuel creativity and learning. ArtsWave’s impact-based grant program ensures that arts organizations – from major institutions to community-based arts centers – work toward these goals and measure the impact the arts have in the region.

GET INVOLVED IN THE ARTS

ArtsWave also continued its efforts in 2015 to engage even more people with the arts.CincyArtsGuide.com, which launched in the fall, is a searchable, comprehensive calendar that showcases Greater Cincinnati’s vibrant and varied arts opportunities. Membership in the ArtsPass program, ArtsWave’s signature donor benefit that offers exclusive discounts to more than 70 arts organizations, restaurants and shops, continues to grow, with more than 15,000 people enrolled. In partnership with the Cincinnati Reds, ArtsWave again will offer the Step Up To The Plate challenge, which gives donors tickets to select Reds games. The Macy’s Arts Sampler, set for February 27 and 28, celebrates 30 years of bringing free arts experiences to the entire Greater Cincinnati community.

The 2016 Community Campaign will include more special events than ever. Young Professionals will gather February 17 at the Transept to celebrate the arts. “Tidal” will bring together the arts and entrepreneurial communities for a problem-solving challenge March 11-13.

People will discover arts across the region during the Amazing Arts Race on April 2. Employees from more than a dozen businesses will bond and showcase hidden talents as they practice to compete in the third annual CincySings choral competition presented by Accenture on April 13. Throughout the campaign, people can support the arts and their favorite restaurants and bars through the Toast to the Arts cocktail competition. They can buy Roots, a collaboration beer from Listermann and Blank Slate brewing companies, or visit Rhinegheist for a special arts showcase on April 21.

#GIVE2ARTSWAVE

“The ArtsWave Community Campaign is truly a community effort,” said Alecia Kintner, ArtsWave President and CEO. “To sustain the arts that truly differentiate our community, each of us has a responsibility to do what we can to show our support. Whether you’re giving through your company, sharing your love for the arts on social media or drinking a Toast to the Arts, you all are ArtsWave in Action and your gifts add up to amazing impact."

The 2016 Community Campaign will end April 28. Donate now to support the 2016 ArtsWave Community Campaign and follow the campaign -- and share your support -- on social media, @ArtsWave and #Give2ArtsWave. 

Media inquiries about the campaign should go to Communications Director Hillary Copsey, hillary.copsey@theartswave.org or 513.632.0119.