Press releases and announcements from Ohio's arts organizations
Cleveland Ballet premieres an entirely new production of The Nutcracker December 13-22 at Connor Palace, choreographed by artistic director Timour Bourtasenkov.
Read moreHeights Arts is actively seeking applications for its 12th Poet Laureate, a prestigious two-year position beginning in April 2025. This important role will coincide with the organization’s 25th anniversary. The Poet Laureate will receive a stipend, participate in community events, and manage the “Ekphrastacy” series. Interested poets are invited to an informational session on November 11th, with applications open from November 1st to December 31st, 2024. Applicants must have a connection to Cleveland Heights or reside there to be considered for this esteemed literary honor.
Read moreGreat Lakes Theater (GLT) has announced the appointment of Brian Barasch as its new Executive Director, bringing extensive experience in arts administration and nonprofit leadership. Barasch joins the company after a notable career that includes roles at various arts institutions and universities. He will collaborate with Producing Artistic Director Sara Bruner to shape the future of GLT. This leadership transition marks a new chapter for the theater.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) will host its fifth annual adults-only “Layers of Innovation” event on November 8. The evening offers attendees a unique opportunity to explore the museum’s exhibits with drinks and food in hand. Proceeds from the event will support CMC’s programming and exhibits. This year’s event will highlight new and reimagined exhibits, featuring a variety of local vendors and entertainment. Early bird tickets are currently available for purchase.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) announced it will host the new exhibition, “Julia Child: A Recipe for Life.” This immersive exhibition will explore the life and culinary impact of American culinary pioneer Julia Child. The exhibition is set to open on February 1, 2025. “Julia Child: A Recipe for Life” aims to showcase Child’s insatiable curiosity and tenacious spirit. Created and toured by Flying Fish, the exhibition invites guests to rediscover the beloved figure who made cooking accessible and enjoyable for many Americans.
Read moreThe American Red Cross and Cleveland Ballet host a blood drive October 4 at Playhouse Square, with ticket discounts for donors to the Dracula production.
Read moreSPACES gallery in Cleveland presents Residue, an exhibition of nearly 30 works by Jamaican-born artist-in-residence Kelley-Ann Lindo exploring memory and family history.
Read moreCleveland Ballet’s 2024-2025 season opens October 18-19 at Playhouse Square with Dracula and The Masque of the Red Death, featuring live music by the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.
Read moreArtsWave has unveiled its 2024-25 Flow season, featuring a subscription series called the Flow Pass that offers access to five distinct Black-centered arts events. Priced at $200, the Flow Pass provides premium access and exclusive subscriber-only gatherings. The season begins on October 5 with Gee Horton’s mural series “Coming of Age,” followed by events including a Cincinnati Pops tribute to Tina Turner, a Step Afrika! dance performance, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” and a discussion with artist Charles Gaines. ArtsWave aims to cultivate and grow an audience that appreciates and supports Black artistry, enriching the region’s cultural landscape.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center is set to honor Helen Black and Cathy Chapman with the John A. Ruthven Medal of Distinction. The two lifelong naturalists are being recognized for their significant contributions to conservation and the preservation of natural spaces. The award ceremony will take place on November 12. CMC leadership highlighted their extensive work in land preservation and their impactful environmental stewardship.
Read moreCleveland Ballet performs its annual Encore in Vermilion September 21 at Harbourtown Fine Arts Center, featuring classical and contemporary works.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Art Museum has launched the ‘CAM Cruiser,’ a new mobile art studio designed to bring art-making activities directly to communities throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. This ‘art studio on wheels’ will travel to various events, including festivals, libraries, and nonprofit gatherings, offering engaging art experiences for all ages. The initiative aims to expand the museum’s outreach, particularly to rural and underserved areas. The CAM Cruiser is equipped with digital displays and other amenities to facilitate its programming. Community organizations interested in hosting the Cruiser can make requests via email, and the museum is active on social media for updates.
Read moreThe Canton Museum of Art (CMA) has appointed Amanda Crowe as its new Education Director, effective August 9, 2024. Crowe, who has been with CMA since 2022 as the Museum To Go and Education Outreach Coordinator, is dedicated to advancing the museum’s educational offerings and community engagement. Her background includes seven years as Education Coordinator at the Akron Art Museum. Crowe’s vision is to position CMA as a resource for creative coping and emotional health, weaving arts into the fabric of local schools and communities through partnerships. She holds degrees in Teaching and Art History and aims to expand the museum’s reach beyond its walls.
Read moreKaramu House opens its 2024-25 mainstage season with Purlie Victorious in its renovated Theatre Wing, followed by Black Nativity at Playhouse Square.
Read moreCirque du Soleil’s first Christmas production, ‘Twas the Night Before, will play 18 performances at the KeyBank State Theatre at Playhouse Square from December 4-15, 2024.
Read moreCincinnati Museum Center opened Lens of History, an exhibition of over 200 photographs documenting Black Cincinnati from the 1800s to 2000s, as part of the 2024 FotoFocus Biennial.
Read moreHeights Arts is hosting its third annual ‘HEART in the Heights’ raffle throughout July 2024. The event aims to raise funds for the nonprofit’s various art programs, including literary, musical, and visual arts initiatives. More than seventy local businesses are participating by donating raffle prizes and encouraging ticket sales. This collaborative effort seeks to support both the arts community and local commerce in Cleveland. Raffle tickets are available for purchase online and at participating businesses, with proceeds directly benefiting Heights Arts’ mission.
Read moreThe Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) has approved over $12.7 million in grants for 2024 through its Operating Support and General Support programs. These funds, generated from city and county sources, are vital for supporting the region’s arts organizations as they continue to recover from the pandemic and enhance community engagement. Operating Support grants, totaling $12.1 million, were awarded to 22 established organizations, while General Support grants, amounting to $665,584, will assist 15 smaller organizations in their development and sustainability efforts.
Read moreThe Columbus Arts Festival will host its ‘Fashion as Art’ runway show on Friday, June 7, at 8 p.m. on the Genoa Park Main Stage. Organized by local designer Celeste Malvar-Stewart, the event will feature avant-garde and high-end couture from four Columbus-based designers. The show aims to highlight the artistic merit of fashion. The runway show is free to attend and is part of the larger Columbus Arts Festival, which runs from June 7-9.
Read moreArtsWave has announced a record-breaking fundraising total for its 2024 campaign, raising over $12.5 million. This achievement marks the largest amount ever raised in the organization’s 97-year history. The announcement was made at a celebration at the Taft Museum of Art, where the 2025 Campaign Chair, Mel Gravely, was also revealed. The campaign, co-chaired by Jon Moeller and Lisa Sauer, saw significant contributions from business leaders and community members. The funds raised will support over 150 arts organizations, contributing to the region’s economic and cultural vitality.
Read moreHeights Arts is raising alarms about the potential displacement of nonprofit organizations and artists from the Coventry PEACE Campus due to lease uncertainties. The organization emphasizes the campus’s critical role in the local arts scene and community vitality. Heights Arts is advocating for solutions to ensure the facility’s continued use as a hub for nonprofits and the arts, warning of negative impacts on the Coventry commercial district and surrounding neighborhoods if these organizations are forced to leave.
Read moreThe Dayton Performing Arts Alliance appointed Keitaro Harada as music and artistic director of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the fifth in the ensemble’s 92-year history.
Read moreThe 2024 Columbus Arts Festival, running June 7-9 on the downtown riverfront, will host over 250 artists from across the U.S. and Canada. The festival, produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, highlights returning award winners and a robust Emerging Festival Artist program. Artists were selected through a blind jury process, emphasizing quality and presentation. This annual event serves as a significant platform for artists and a cultural draw for the city.
Read moreThe 2024 Columbus Arts Festival will take place from June 7-9 on the downtown riverfront, featuring over 250 local and national artists. Produced by GCAC and presented by the American Electric Power Foundation, the event promises a wide array of art for sale, live performances across multiple stages, and family-friendly activities. The festival aims to kick off the summer season with exceptional art, music, food, and community engagement.
Read moreThe 2024 Columbus Arts Festival, running June 7-9, will feature extensive interactive opportunities for all ages. Presented by the American Electric Power Foundation and produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the event includes a Hands-On Activities Village with crafts and performances, as well as teen-focused workshops. Attendees can also explore children’s and teen art galleries, meet local artists in the Big Local Arts Village, and engage with various arts organizations. The festival aims to blend viewing art with active participation and creative learning along the riverfront.
Read moreThe Cleveland Museum of Art announced six gifts totaling $15 million, led by a $5 million gift from The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation, to fund curatorial and administrative positions.
Read morePlayhouse Square announced its 2024-2025 KeyBank Broadway Series featuring seven shows including Tony winners Kimberly Akimbo and Parade. Season tickets range from $154 to $758.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center is introducing a new exhibit, “Kids’ Town Park,” in The Children’s Museum on June 28, 2024. This interactive space is designed to promote early literacy skills in children aged 0-6 through a variety of engaging, park-themed play activities. The exhibit aims to build language foundations by encouraging interaction with letters, words, and sounds. Research emphasizes the critical role of early word exposure in a child’s overall development and future academic success. “Kids’ Town Park” provides a stimulating environment for both children and adults to develop essential literacy habits.
Read moreCleveland Ballet’s 2024-2025 season, shaped by artistic director Timour Bourtasenkov, opens in October with a double bill of Dracula and The Masque of the Red Death at Playhouse Square.
Read moreKaramu House in Cleveland postpones its season-end production and launches a strategic planning initiative amid construction delays at the century-old theater.
Read moreSara Bruner has been named producing artistic director designate of Great Lakes Theater, succeeding Charles Fee when he retires after the 2025-2026 season.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center is preparing for the upcoming solar eclipse by giving away free eclipse glasses. Starting March 22, the first 100 viewers of the OMNIMAX® film ‘Deep Sky’ each weekend will receive glasses. The museum is also hosting special weekend programming for families, including educational and entertaining activities related to space exploration. On the day of the eclipse, April 8, an outdoor viewing event will be held, with additional free glasses available. A music video has been released to build excitement for these events.
Read moreCleveland Ballet closes its 2023-2024 season with a new production of Sleeping Beauty at Connor Palace, featuring choreography from Carolina Ballet founding director Robert Weiss.
Read moreThe Cincinnati History Museum has been ranked among the top three best history museums in the country by USA TODAY’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards for 2024. The Cincinnati Museum Center’s Children’s Museum also received national recognition, placing in the top five. This dual recognition highlights the quality of the institutions within the Cincinnati Museum Center. The Cincinnati History Museum features exhibits that explore over 250 years of the city’s heritage.
Read moreThe Columbus Arts Festival, running June 7-9, is now offering VIP Patron Packages for those seeking an enhanced experience. The $150 package includes a ticket to the exclusive opening night Patron Party on Friday, June 7, featuring cocktails and live performances. Attendees will also receive access to a VIP hospitality area, drink tickets, a festival T-shirt, and other amenities. Importantly, proceeds from these packages will fund the festival’s Artist Awards, supporting exhibiting artists with cash prizes. The festival is presented by the American Electric Power Foundation.
Read moreOhio fourth graders can now access numerous history museums, including the Cincinnati Museum Center and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, for free thanks to the new Fourth Grade History Pass program. Spearheaded by America 250-Ohio, this initiative aims to connect young students with their state’s history in preparation for the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026. The program provides vouchers for free admission, available through the end of 2026, encouraging educational exploration and engagement with historical sites across the state. This statewide opportunity is intended to supplement school curricula and cultivate a deeper understanding of historical significance.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) has secured Mayfield Brain & Spine as the naming sponsor for its new gallery focused on biology, technology, and workforce development. This gallery will be a permanent exhibit within the Museum of Natural History & Science. The new exhibit is set to open in the summer of 2024 and will explore body systems, health, innovation, and healthcare. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to public education and health.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Art Museum (CAM) is set to host “The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century,” an expansive exhibition running from June 28 to September 29, 2024. This multimedia showcase will feature over 100 artworks by celebrated artists and iconic fashion brands, highlighting hip hop’s profound global impact. Site-curated by hip hop studies expert Dr. Jason Rawls, the exhibition traces hip hop’s evolution from its 1970s roots to its influence on contemporary art, technology, and commerce. The museum will offer various admission options, including free Thursday evenings for the public and free admission for members, alongside special programming throughout the exhibition’s run.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) has announced that its popular Museum Camps will return for Summer 2024. Registration opens for CMC Members on February 1, and for the general public on February 15. These camps, designed for students entering grades K-6, offer a wide range of themes such as science, art, and paleontology. The camps are intended to prevent summer learning loss by providing engaging, hands-on activities and museum exploration. The program runs from late May through early August.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center will debut “Deep Sky,” a new OMNIMAX film on February 2nd. The movie will showcase stunning images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Directed by Nathaniel Kahn and narrated by Michelle Williams, “Deep Sky” offers an immersive journey through cosmic landscapes and exoplanets. This new OMNIMAX experience promises to bring the wonders of the universe to audiences on an unprecedented scale.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) is launching its spring schedule for the Cr(eat)e Culinary Studio featuring the Kroger Food Lab. The programs offer hands-on culinary experiences for children, covering a diverse range of recipes including sushi, tacos, and cacio e pepe. These classes aim to teach both cooking techniques and the science and history behind food. Registration for the spring sessions opens on January 19th.
Read moreCincinnati Museum Center is bringing ‘POMPEII: The Exhibition’ to the Queen City, opening on February 16. The exhibition will showcase over 150 authentic artifacts on loan from Italy, offering a unique look into the ancient city preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Visitors will have the chance to experience the sights and sounds of Roman life before the disaster. Presale ticket access is available for those who sign up in advance. This exhibition promises to be a significant cultural event, providing a timeless snapshot of daily life in the Roman Empire.
Read moreThe National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is preparing for its 21st Annual King Legacy Celebration. This significant event is scheduled to take place on January 15, 2024, at the Freedom Center’s location in Cincinnati, Ohio. The celebration aims to honor the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It will feature various programs and activities intended to educate and inspire attendees about his principles. The King Legacy Celebration is a key part of the Freedom Center’s annual calendar, highlighting the continued importance of Dr. King’s vision for a more just and equitable world.
Read moreHeights Arts has announced its 2024 music season, featuring the Close Encounters chamber music series, free Gallery Concerts, and ARTbar events. The season will include performances by members of the Cleveland Orchestra and local Northeast Ohio musicians in diverse venues. A new addition, open rehearsals for the Close Encounters series, will offer the public a glimpse into the musicians’ preparation process. The Gallery Concerts will remain free and accessible, while ARTbar events will combine music with art and poetry, all designed to foster community engagement and appreciation for the arts.
Read moreEdwaard Liang will leave BalletMet after 11 years to become artistic director of The Washington Ballet. BalletMet has begun an international search for his successor.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Museum Center, and the Taft Museum of Art are set to benefit from an $18 million bequest from the estates of Carol and William “Bill” Eckerle. Announced on October 5, 2023, the generous gift is divided equally, with each institution receiving roughly $6 million. These funds will strengthen the endowments of the museums, ensuring their continued financial health and operational capacity. The Eckerles were noted for their passion for arts and history, and their philanthropy reflects a commitment to accessibility and community enrichment. This legacy gift underscores their belief in the transformative power of cultural institutions in Cincinnati.
Read moreCincinnati Museum Center is offering a summer promotion for its Bricktionary: The ultimate LEGO® A-Z exhibition. Through Labor Day, guests can receive $5 off children’s tickets with the purchase of an adult ticket. The exhibition features over 150 custom LEGO creations by renowned builder Ryan “Brickman” McNaught. This offer provides a family-friendly way to experience impressive LEGO art.
Read moreThe National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has announced its involvement in a national Juneteenth celebration. The center is partnering with organizations across the country to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. This collaborative effort seeks to highlight the historical significance of Juneteenth and engage the public through various events and educational initiatives. Further details about the center’s specific contributions to the celebration are expected to be announced shortly.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center is launching a new OMNIMAX film, “Serengeti: Journey to the Heart of Africa,” on June 23rd. The film will immerse audiences in the African savanna, showcasing its iconic wildlife and natural beauty. Shot with advanced cinematography, the OMNIMAX experience aims to place viewers directly within the Serengeti’s ecosystems. It highlights the circle of life and the interconnectedness of the animals and their environment, offering an intimate look at the untamed wilds of Africa.
Read moreThe Cincinnati Museum Center has acquired a collection of professional papers and furniture prototypes from Edgard Sforzina, the interior designer behind Union Terminal’s Art Deco aesthetic. Donated by his granddaughter, the collection features drawings, business records, and furniture prototypes, offering valuable insights into Sforzina’s creative process. These materials will help preserve and showcase the iconic design history of Cincinnati’s Union Terminal.
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