Press releases and announcements from Ohio's arts organizations
The National Endowment for the Arts awarded Toledo Opera a $21,000 grant to support Opera On Wheels, the company’s educational outreach program now in its 40th year.
Read moreCleveland Heights will receive eight new public art installations this summer, including six murals along Lee Road and two works in the Coventry district, through a $250,000 Heights Arts initiative.
Read moreThe Columbus Symphony has hired Jonathan Parrish as Vice President of Artistic Planning and Programs and Jacob Pope-McEntire as General Manager.
Read moreOhio Vintage Fest will hold an event in Toledo on Saturday, June 20th. The sale will take place at the Glass City Center from 12 PM to 5 PM. The event will feature over 50 vendors offering vintage clothing and other vintage items. General admissio
Read moreRed Bird Sylvania is hosting Hippie Fest on June 5th from 5-8pm+. The event is described as an evening of fun, music, art, and good vibes. In addition to Hippie Fest, several other arts and cultural events are listed. Hudson Gallery will present a
Read moreGallery Lumina is holding an open call for submissions for a solo 2D medium exhibition. The exhibition is open to women and women-identifying artists located in Columbus and nearby areas. The theme of the exhibition is "Womanhood." Inter
Read moreHouse of Cai is seeking volunteers and interns to join their team in Columbus, Ohio. The organization is also looking to fill roles for a social media manager and a store manager. Ideal candidates include artists, individuals with experience manag
Read moreThe West Side Block Party organization has announced that vendor applications are now open for the 2026 SEA Festival. This event aims to celebrate Southeast Asian culture, food, music, and art in Cleveland. Vendors sought include food vendors, foo
Read moreSummit Artspace is issuing a call for art vendors for its upcoming Art Walk event. The event is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2026, and will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The organization is looking for vendors offering handmade art and fine crafts
Read moreValley Art Center is calling for submissions for its 5th Annual Emerging Young Artists Exhibition. The exhibition is open to artists aged 16 to 22 residing in Northeast Ohio. Submissions will be accepted until June 1st at 11:59 PM. The juried exhi
Read moreFAVA's Art Fair is announcing a call for entries and vendor registration. Interested participants are encouraged to visit the website to apply. The deadline for applications is July 15. The entry fee for the fair is $50. Further information c
Read moreToledo Opera is holding auditions for its 2026-27 season chorus. The auditions will take place at the Valentine Theatre. Interested singers are invited to audition on Saturday, May 30, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Sunday, May 31, from 3:00 PM
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreCincinnati 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.
Read moreCincinnati 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.
Read moreProMusica 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.
Read moreOpera 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.
Read moreOpera 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.
Read moreArtsWave 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.
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreThirty-six high school musicians from the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra will perform in Vienna and Prague during a week-long European tour beginning June 1.
Read moreGreat 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.
Read moreThe Ohio Arts Council has approved Individual Excellence Awards totaling 75,000 for 77 Ohio artists in fiscal year 2026, funding work in choreography, fiction, poetry, criticism, playwriting, and music composition.
Read moreShort North Stage has announced its 2026-27 season, its largest eight-show lineup in the company’s 15-year history, featuring Pippin, Sweeney Todd, Dear Evan Hansen, and Mean Girls.
Read moreThe Taft Museum of Art presents Beyond the Picturesque, an exhibition by 2026 Duncanson Artist-in-Residence Ayana Ross, on view April 11–July 26, coinciding with the program’s 40th anniversary.
Read moreBank of America has awarded a $500,000 grant to CAPA for the conversion of a historic 1859 church building into a new performing arts venue in downtown Columbus.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Art Museum will present approximately 150 works by mid-century nature illustrator Charley Harper, including National Park Service paintings, from October 2026 through March 2027.
Read moreCrumbley 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.
Read moreHeights 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 […]
Read moreToledo 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 […]
Read more934 Gallery, an all-volunteer-run space in Columbus, Ohio, has been voted #3 Art Gallery in Columbus by 614 Magazine readers as part of the ColumBest 2026 awards, out of nearly 20 galleries city-wide.
Read moreProMusica Chamber Orchestra announced its 48th season under Music Director David Danzmayr, featuring seven programs at the Southern Theatre from October 2026 through May 2027.
Read moreGreat Lakes Theater’s 2026-27 season spans Shakespeare, Sondheim, and a new production of Les Misérables at Cleveland’s Hanna Theatre.
Read moreProMusica 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.
Read moreArtsWave 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.
Read moreBalletMet Columbus presents La Bohème May 13–17 at Davidson Theatre, with choreography by new Artistic Director Remi Wörtmeyer and live music by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreBalletMet’s 49th season will include a world premiere Swan Lake choreographed by Artistic Director Remi Wortmeyer and a new ballet about Marilyn Monroe.
Read moreThe Cleveland Museum of Art drew more than 800,000 visitors in 2025 and is preparing to reopen its redesigned ArtLens Gallery this summer, featuring AI tools and immersive experiences.
Read moreAn exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art traces magical practices from ancient Egypt through the Roman Empire, running through July 5 in the Glass Pavilion.
Read moreNationally 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.
Read moreSPACES 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.
Read moreThe Columbus Museum of Art will open ‘Tavares Strachan: The Day Tomorrow Began’ on May 16 at The Pizzuti, the first major U.S. museum survey of the Bahamian conceptual artist.
Read more‘East of the Pacific: Making Histories of Asian American Art’ opens April 15 at the Columbus Museum of Art, presenting works by more than 30 artists spanning the mid-19th century to today.
Read morePlayhouse Square unveiled its 2026-2027 Broadway season featuring seven productions, opening with the premiere tour of ‘Death Becomes Her’ in September 2026.
Read moreBeck Center for the Arts unveiled a six-show 2026-27 season including a world premiere comedy by Cleveland playwright Eric Coble and regional premieres of How to Dance in Ohio and Dear Evan Hansen.
Read moreThe Cleveland Museum of Art opens three new exhibitions in May and fills the month with performances, lectures, and community events.
Read moreWeekly arts news from across Ohio. Free, no spam.
Subscribe to The Brief