Making Waves Blog

Paul Tomich and Gwen Kirles are co-chairs of the ArtsWave Young Professionals (YP) committee. This advisory group is comprised of more than 40 committed young professionals, ages 21 to 40, looking to get more involved and invested in Cincinnati’s vibrant arts community

On April 18, 2015, you might see groups of people in purple shirts running through Downtown Cincinnati in search of art. No, it’s not another marathon – it’s the Amazing Arts Race, ArtsWave’s signature Young Professionals’ event back for a third year.

Anticipating the first flowers of the growing season is a ritual that many of us share. For many of us, as well, there is the ritual of anticipating the coming season of arts events, announced by each organization with a mix of glorious abundance, pride and colorful exuberance.

ArtsWave and the Cincinnati Reds have teamed up to support the arts with special ticket promotions and unique engagement activities like Art in the Park.

Tom Williams, Chair of the 2015 ArtsWave Community Campaign, shares how the arts put Cincinnati on the map and transform our community.

Over the past five years, Clifton Cultural Arts Center has become an important hub of activity for the Clifton community. We asked Emmalene Benson, Programs and Office Coordinator, to share with us five ways that the CCAC is bringing neighbors and families together through the arts.

My daughter Delaney recently asked me to be "The Producer" for her act in the elementary school talent show. The Working-Mommy part of my brain silently shrieked, "Oh no! I don't have time for One More Thing!" The Juggling-Mommy part of me said out loud, "Of course, what do you want to do?"

Picture Freedom has challenged young people across the country to explore what freedom and equality means to them, and to express their thoughts through art.

Sometimes creating community through the arts starts in a cubicle or cafeteria. We love the creative and engaging activities that companies create as part of their ArtsWave workplace campaigns.

What's it like to be a part of a company Sing Off event? Our friends at Duke Energy shared this story that shows how CincySings brings employees together.

When I first moved here and marveled at all there is to do, a friend remarked enthusiastically that “Cincinnati has more festivals than weekends.” ArtsWave has been producing one of Cincinnati’s many festivals for nearly 30 years, and it’s coming up next weekend on March 7-8. Macy's Arts Sampler is two days of nearly 100 free arts events that span from Japanese music to puppet shows to hip-hop dance.

Has Macy's Arts Sampler left you wanting more arts experiences? Here are 14 additional opportunities to discover the amazing arts in our region for free.

For 10 hours a week in Price Hill, young neighbors gather to study music. We asked MYCincinnati Program Director Laura Jekel to share how this program makes an impact on the community.

Each year, Macy’s steps up to provide the entire region with a very special gift--ArtsWave’s Signature Event, Macy’s Arts Sampler.

Cincinnati’s arts community embraces collaboration as a core value. Working together is our superpower, epitomized by the ArtsWave annual community campaign, dating back to 1949. Just think: once a year, for twelve weeks, arts organizations jointly promote fundraising by ArtsWave for the sake of generating tens of thousands of contributions for the entire arts ecosystem.

Toast to the Arts gives diners the opportunity to give to ArtsWave while enjoying great wines and beers at favorite restaurants and breweries.

Tom Kent of Elementz Hip Hop Center for Youth shares how collaborations with other arts organizations has a positive effect on their young artists.

By regularly convening arts leaders and staff from large and small organizations, ArtsWave serves as a hub for the development of collaborations, partnerships, and shared resources.

In my decade in Harford, Connecticut, I had the privilege of working with some outstanding CEOs and community leaders who chaired our united arts campaign--which was much smaller than ArtsWave's. I was often asked to research and report on what was different about Cincinnati's campaign...

The 2015 ArtsWave Community Campaign officially kicks off January 28, but a key group of volunteers led by Tom Williams has been hard at work for many months behind the scenes.