The Brief Archive

Press releases and announcements from Ohio's arts organizations

248 Articles

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May 20, 2026

Wexner Center for the Arts Receives Over $150,000 from Every Page Foundation to Support Path Fellowship

The Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University has received a $158,932 grant from the Every Page Foundation. This funding will support the continuation of the Path Fellowship program, which aims to provide emerging arts professionals with valuable experience and training. The fellowship specifically seeks to remove career barriers for artists and creatives, with a focus on supporting individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Applications for the 2024-25 fellowship are currently open until May 31. This initiative is part of a broader effort by both organizations to advance equity and foster career development within the arts.

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May 20, 2026

Cincinnati Opera Announces 2024 Summer Festival, Featuring World Premiere of McCartney’s ‘Liverpool Oratorio’

Cincinnati Opera has announced its 2024 Summer Festival, which will feature the world stage premiere of “Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio.” The festival will also include new productions of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” and Verdi’s “La Traviata.” This marks the first theatrical staging of McCartney’s oratorio. Specific performance dates and casting details are expected to be announced later. The programming aims to present a diverse and engaging season for opera lovers.

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May 20, 2026

Cincinnati Opera Launches $5 Million Black Opera Project

Cincinnati Opera has unveiled The Black Opera Project, a $5 million initiative dedicated to commissioning and showcasing new operas by Black artists. This ambitious project aims to diversify the operatic repertoire and highlight the Black experience. The inaugural production, “Lalovavi,” an Afrofuturist grand opera with music by Kevin Day and libretto by Tifara Brown, will premiere on Juneteenth 2025 at Cincinnati Music Hall. The project underscores the company’s commitment to inclusivity and the development of contemporary operatic works.

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May 20, 2026

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra Announces Diverse 2024-2025 Season

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra has announced its diverse 2024-2025 season, marking its 46th year of performances. The season will feature renowned artists, beloved classical works, and the premieres of two new commissioned pieces. Music Director David Danzmayr and Creative Partner Vadim Gluzman will lead the orchestra through a program designed to offer both traditional and contemporary musical experiences.

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May 20, 2026

Opera Columbus Announces “The Temple” Immersive Magic Flute Experience

Opera Columbus is set to wrap up its 42nd season with a unique, immersive production titled “A Magic Flute Experience: The Temple.” This reimagined version of Mozart’s classic opera will feature a new English-language libretto, aiming to enhance inclusivity and accessibility for contemporary audiences. Performances are scheduled from April 19-28 at a secret speakeasy-style venue in Downtown Columbus, with the location revealed closer to the performance dates. The production promises a captivating blend of opera, theatre, and circus arts, drawing inspiration from various entertainment forms to create a memorable experience. The General Director expressed optimism that the innovative approach will appeal to a broad range of theatergoers, making opera accessible to everyone.

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May 20, 2026

Opera Columbus and Columbus Symphony Announce “Eugene Onegin” Premiere

Opera Columbus, alongside the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and CAPA, is set to stage “Eugene Onegin” for the very first time in Columbus’ history. The opera will be performed on March 1 and 2 at the Ohio Theatre. Directed by Rosetta Cucchi and conducted by Rossen Milanov, the production promises a visually and musically stunning experience, based on Pushkin’s famed novel. “Eugene Onegin” explores themes of love, rejection, and tragedy. The performances will be sung in Russian with English supertitles, offering a comprehensive operatic experience for the community.

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May 20, 2026

ArtsWave Awards Nearly 50 Grants for Local Arts and Cultural Projects

ArtsWave has announced the distribution of 49 Catalyzing Impact grants, totaling $326,690, to local organizations for arts and cultural projects in the Cincinnati region. The grants are a key component of ArtsWave’s annual Campaign, which aims to enhance the community’s economy and connectivity through the arts. Projects funded range from educational programs and festivals to exhibitions addressing diverse themes. The funding underscores ArtsWave’s commitment to supporting a vibrant and inclusive arts ecosystem.

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May 20, 2026

Restored Film ‘Tell Me A Riddle’ Premieres in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Art Museum is set to screen a newly restored version of the 1980 film ‘Tell Me A Riddle’ on February 9, 2023. This Midwest premiere is a free, public event presented in partnership with the Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival and Women in Film Cincinnati. The film, based on Tillie Olsen’s novella, stars Melvyn Douglas and Lila Kedrova as an elderly couple navigating marital conflict. Producer Rachel Lyon will discuss the restoration and the film’s impact after the screening.

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May 20, 2026

Cincinnati Art Museum Receives $36,000 Grant from National Endowment for the Arts

The Cincinnati Art Museum has received a $36,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for its upcoming exhibition, “Paintings, Politics and the Monuments Men: The Berlin Masterpieces in America.” The exhibition, scheduled from July 9 to October 3, 2021, will chronicle the post-World War II journey of significant European paintings from Germany to the United States. The NEA grant is part of a larger initiative supporting over 1,100 arts projects nationwide. The exhibition promises to explore the complex role of art during wartime and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

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May 20, 2026

Cincinnati Art Museum Launches Major Renovation to Enhance Community and Research Spaces

The Cincinnati Art Museum has commenced a year-long renovation project, set to conclude in fall 2024, aimed at enhancing its community and research facilities. The project will introduce two new classrooms, a dedicated research center for photography, prints, and drawings, and a new event space. These upgrades are designed to significantly boost the museum’s capacity for educational programs and scholarly pursuits. The Marek Family Commons will offer flexible classroom and event spaces, while the Carl M. Jacobs Center will provide enhanced access to important collections. The museum’s main entrance will remain open during the renovations, with specific programs being temporarily relocated.

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May 20, 2026

Cincinnati Art Museum Announces “Art in Bloom” Featuring Floral Artist Natasja Sadi

The Cincinnati Art Museum will host its “Art in Bloom” event from April 26-28, 2024, featuring floral designs from nearly 60 artists. International floral artist Natasja Sadi will be the featured guest, driving the event’s theme. The celebration includes various programs, from a drag brunch to floral presentations. General admission and parking are free, with select events requiring tickets.

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May 14, 2026

Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Announce Five-Year Partnership with Play On Shakespeare

Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival are joining forces with Play On Shakespeare for a landmark five-year partnership. The initiative focuses on making Shakespeare more accessible through contemporary translations and innovative productions. The collaboration will launch in 2026 with a new translation of “The Winter’s Tale.” The partnership also includes a strong emphasis on community engagement and educational programs designed to deepen the connection to Shakespeare across various age groups. A key aspect of this collaboration is a commitment to equitable representation in casting and artistic endeavors, aiming to create more inclusive opportunities within the theater community.

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May 4, 2026

Crumbley Comedy Toledo: 21 Live Events in April 2026

Crumbley Comedy Toledo produced 21 live comedy and performance events in April 2026, operating out of venues across Toledo including Barn, Cheri’s, Cigar Spirits, Home Slice, and False Chord. The home base for the operation is Toledo Spirits Company. More information at crumbleycomedy.com.

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May 4, 2026

Heights Arts Launches Cedar Lee Arts District with Six New Murals

Heights Arts and Land Studio are installing six murals along the Cedar Lee corridor in Cleveland Heights this summer, officially launching the Cedar Lee Arts District. The project celebrates Cedar Lee’s identity as a hub for visual arts, film, theater, dining, and retail. Mural artist finalists are forthcoming. The initiative builds on Heights Arts’ ongoing […]

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May 4, 2026

Toledo Opera Celebrates National Teacher Day with Education Programs

Toledo Opera is marking National Teacher Day (May 6, 2026) by spotlighting three cornerstone education programs serving pre-K through high school students across Northwest Ohio. An Opera Is A Story brings pre-K workshops directly into classrooms, introducing young learners to storytelling through opera. Opera on Wheels delivers live opera performances to more than 60 schools […]

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May 3, 2026

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra Announces Diverse 2026-2027 Season

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra has announced its 2026-2027 season, its 48th year, featuring a diverse program of classical and contemporary music. Led by Music Director David Danzmayr, the season will host renowned guest artists including violinist Vadim Gluzman, harpist Anneleen Lenaerts, pianist Claire Huangci, and composer Clarice Assad. The programming spans from Mozart’s “Mass in C Minor” to works by Arvo Pärt, Clarice Assad, and Viet Cuong. Highlights include performances of Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony and a special NAKED CLASSICS installment exploring Schumann’s “Rhenish” Symphony. Season subscriptions are currently on sale, with single tickets becoming available in July.

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May 3, 2026

ArtsWave Launches “$20 Sends a Student” Campaign During Teacher Appreciation Week

ArtsWave has launched a “$20 Sends a Student” campaign during Teacher Appreciation Week to support arts education. The initiative aims to provide students with free arts field trips, which connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. Nearly 20,000 students benefit annually from the More Arts, More Kids program, with a $20 donation covering the cost for one student. A matching gift from Cintas Cares will double the impact of donations up to $25,000. The campaign seeks to make it easy for the community to contribute to tangible arts experiences for students.

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May 1, 2026

Tipp City Arts Council to Host Inaugural Wine and Arts Fundraiser

The Tipp City Area Arts Council will hold its inaugural fundraiser, A Decadent Affair, on May 9, 2026 at the Tipp Center in Tipp City. The event features wine tastings from three local wineries, food from area caterers and pâtisseries, live music, and art displays with works for sale by ten local artists. VIP admission begins at 5:00 p.m. with general admission from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Featured wineries include Dragonfly Winery, Old School House Winery and Old Mason Winery. A raffle and art sales will support the council mission. Tickets are available online at tippcityartscouncil.com.

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April 30, 2026

Barbara Fant Appointed Executive Director of Thurber House

Nationally recognized poet and arts leader Barbara Fant has been named the next executive director of Thurber House. She will assume the role in September, bringing over 20 years of experience in the arts and nonprofit sector. Fant’s appointment marks a new chapter for the Columbus-based literary arts organization. She has a history of community engagement and a focus on using arts for healing and connection. Her arrival precedes the 25th Thurber Prize for American Humor awards ceremony and the organization’s summer programming.

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April 30, 2026

SPACES Announces Spring 2026 Exhibitions Featuring Artist-in-Residence and Curatorial Project

SPACES gallery in Cleveland is set to launch its spring 2026 exhibition season, featuring two distinct presentations. The lineup includes “meditations on be(IN) thr(u),” a solo exhibition by artist-in-residence ọmọlolú Refilwe Bàbátúndé, and “Patterned,” a curatorial project organized by Thea Spittle. Both exhibitions will be available for public viewing from May 15 to June 27, 2026. Refilwe Bàbátúndé’s work delves into the concept of Black sound as a tool for healing and self-emancipation, presenting an immersive installation that maps their artistic practice. This exhibition will be complemented by a public opening reception on May 15, which will include a live performance by the artist. In addition to the exhibition, Bàbátúndé will lead a free workshop on May 2 focused on using sound and breath as methods of self-attunement. The “Patterned” exhibition will explore the multifaceted nature of patterns, both as visual designs and conceptual constructs. Curated by Thea Spittle, the project brings together five artists whose diverse works in textiles, printmaking, photography, and sculpture investigate patterns in nature, culture, and behavior. The exhibition seeks to foster a dialogue about the interconnectedness of visual motifs and societal structures.

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April 28, 2026

Contemporary Arts Center Appoints Lacy Schutz as Interim Director

The Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) has named Lacy Schutz as its Interim Executive Director, effective May 18. Schutz brings extensive experience in cultural institution leadership, previously serving as Managing Director of ATHR Gallery and Executive Director of the Shaker Museum. CAC’s Board of Trustees welcomed her, highlighting her understanding of the institution’s mission and her ability to support its future growth. Schutz expressed her dedication to continuing CAC’s tradition of bold programming and artistic risk-taking.

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