Visit Us
Gallery and Office Hours are Tuesday - Friday, 10am to 5pm and Saturday, 11am to 4pm.
Upcoming Events
Film Screening, Guest Film Curator Talk, and Q&A with Mary Leonard
Two Sessions: Saturdays, Sept. 12 and Oct. 10. Both from 12-3:30pmKHAC Lindner Annex Event Space, 6620 Montgomery Rd
Current Exhibitions
Printed Voices from Kenya: Social and Cultural Reflections
June 27 - August 22, 2026Kennedy Gallery
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 27 from 6-8pm
Entre Lo Que Fue y Lo Que Es (Between What Was and What Is)
July 25 - October 3, 2026Lindner Gallery, 6620 Montgomery Road
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 25 from 6-8pm
*OPENS AUGUST 29* Cultural Ties
August 29 - October 31, 2026Kennedy Gallery
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 29 from 6-8pm
Register for an upcoming
program on our calendar
Blog
Announcing this year’s Founders Day Honorees
Each year at Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Founders Day celebration, we reflect on the people who have helped shape our journey—those who have given their time, talent, and treasure to ensure that our mission continues to thrive. This year, we are proud.. Read More
Send a Kid to Camp!
Every child deserves the chance to create. No exceptions. This summer, hundreds of young people will walk through the doors of Kennedy Heights Arts Center. Some will arrive having never picked up a paintbrush, stepped onto a stage, or been told they.. Read More
Voices of Freedom Returns to Kennedy Heights Arts Center for 2026
For the sixth consecutive year, Juneteenth Cincinnati and Kennedy Heights Arts Center are proud to present Voices of Freedom, a visual and performing arts series that centers Black history, expression, and healing through a contemporary lens. The 2026 series will take place.. Read More
A Tale of Two Williams
One of the first young people I met at Kennedy Heights Arts Center was William Jenkins. I met William when he was just six or seven years old—a bright, curious, energetic kid who lived in the neighborhood. His mom, Robin, had enrolled.. Read More
From Tragedy to Transformation
A Community Transformed by the Power of Art What began as a response to tragedy has become one of the most powerful examples of community transformation in our city. Thirteen years ago, after two devastating incidents of gun violence in Kennedy Heights.. Read More
Where Dreams Find Their Rhythm
For students in the Cincinnati Jazz Academy, music has become a source of confidence, creativity, and community. A partnership between Kennedy Heights Arts Center and Cincinnati Public Schools, the Jazz Academy provides high-quality, barrier-free jazz education to students across the city. Through.. Read More
Investing in Young Minds: Empowering Kids to Learn, Create, and Grow
Summer is almost here—my favorite time of the year. Over ten amazing weeks, our campus bursts to life with the creative energy of more than 300 young people. They’re creating art, devising and performing plays, making films, writing stories, designing fashions, and.. Read More
Investing in Teen Voices: Empowering Young Artists to Be Seen, Heard, and Valued
At Kennedy Heights Arts Center, we believe every young person deserves a place where they can feel seen, safe, and celebrated. Through our scholarship campaign, Invest in Imagination, we’re shining a light on our programs that give teens the freedom to.. Read More
21st Annual Founders Day Honors Volunteer Leaders
Each year, Kennedy Heights Arts Centers recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Arts Center’s mission through their leadership and volunteer service through awards presented at our annual Founders Day event. The 21st Annual Founders Day will be held on Sunday,.. Read More
2024: A Year of Impact
As we close out another remarkable year at Kennedy Heights Arts Center, I’m filled with gratitude for all we have accomplished together. A Year of Impact In 2024, Kennedy Heights Arts Center served more than 12,000 people of all ages through 1,152.. Read More
The Art of Belonging: Empowering the Next Generation of Changemakers
At Kennedy Heights Arts Center, we believe everyone deserves a place to feel seen, heard, and valued. Through our annual campaign, The Art of Belonging, we’re sharing stories of individuals whose lives have been enriched through our programs —and how your support.. Read More
The Art of Belonging: How Raquel Found Community Through Art
As part of our annual campaign, “The Art of Belonging,” Kennedy Heights Arts Center is sharing stories that highlight individuals whose lives have been enriched through our programs —and how your support makes a difference. In this post, we share the inspiring.. Read More
The Art of Belonging: Gee Horton’s Transformative Journey
This season, Kennedy Heights Arts Center is thrilled to launch The Art of Belonging, our annual fund campaign supporting the transformational power of creative spaces. We’re celebrating through stories from artists and participants who’ve found a sense of home and purpose within.. Read More
CR8 Club: Fueling Creativity and Learning
At Kennedy Heights Arts Center, we believe in the transformative power of the arts to inspire creativity, build confidence and foster well-being. Our CR8 (pronounced “create”) Club after-school program at John P. Parker Elementary and the Academy of World Languages (AWL) is.. Read More
Building A Future Without Barriers
When I first stepped into this role 16 years ago, I could never have imagined the incredible journey that awaited us. At that time, I was the sole full-time staff member of this fledgling organization with an old house and a big.. Read More
Building a Creative Community
As I sit down to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve embarked on together over the past two decades, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since the.. Read More
From House to Hub
In the heart of Cincinnati, the Kennedy Heights Arts Center has grown and thrived for two decades, showing us the power of creativity to build community. As we celebrate our 20-year anniversary, this isn’t just marking time—it’s a look back at a.. Read More
A Year of Opening Doors
The holidays are a time for looking back and looking forward together. As we approach the end of the year, I want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support. 2023 was truly a transformative year! Together, we’ve opened doors to.. Read More
Creating Community: BIPOC Emerging Artists Foster Connections
A group of women gathered monthly in the gallery to write. Under the guidance of local poet Jamie Lee Elizabeth, they explored Black womanhood, friendship, love, heartbreak, grief, and joy — and made connections — in ways they hadn’t before. These meaningful.. Read More
Inspiring Innovation: Igniting Learning through the Arts
It’s a demonstrated fact: schools that infuse the arts see a profound impact on students and culture. A recent study by the Brookings Institute found that increases in arts educational experiences in schools led to remarkable improvement in students’ academic, social, and.. Read More
Unlocking Potential: Empowering Young Musicians
It started with 26 kids from underserved elementary schools. They had not played music before, but once the door was opened, they soared to new heights. Over the next five years, their numbers swelled to 150 impressive young musicians performing on stages.. Read More
Finding Resilience Through Clay: Erika NJ Allen’s Vibrancy Fellowship
Meet Erika NJ Allen, an incredibly talented multi-disciplinary artist with a deep connection to her Guatemalan heritage. She’s the latest recipient of the Vibrancy Fellowship at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center, a program designed to empower emerging artists to take risks and.. Read More
Writing to Exhale: Poet Concludes Fellowship with Open Mic
Over the past five months, poet Jamie-Lee Elizabeth, a 2023 KHAC Vibrancy Fellow, has been exploring themes of love, friendship, loss, joy, and black womanhood through a series of workshops and her own writing. She will conclude her fellowship at Kennedy Heights.. Read More
Arts for All
Recently, ArtsWave invited community members to share their #MyFirstArts experiences. That got me thinking about my first ballet class at age 5 and how that ignited in me a life-long love of dance and all kinds of creative expression. Whether I was.. Read More
19th Annual Founders Day Honors Volunteer Leaders
Each year, Kennedy Heights Arts Centers recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to KHAC’s mission and our community through their leadership and volunteer service through awards presented at our annual Founders Day event. The 19th Annual Founders Day will be held.. Read More
You Belong Here
Since its founding, Kennedy Heights Arts Center has been dedicated to bringing people together and building community through arts engagement. Too often, arts institutions have been associated with privilege and exclusion. Creating truly welcoming and inclusive cultural experiences goes beyond removing financial.. Read More
Art Exhibitions Spark Dialogue
Looking back on our 2022 season, it is clear that art has an amazing ability to spark dialogue. Though we are a small community art center, the exhibitions we present are reflective of world events and social issues that impact many people.. Read More
Local artist aspires to be Black Dr. Suess
Local artist Ke’Monte Figgs aspires to become the Black Dr. Suess of Cincinnati. His new book, Dreams, Art and Success, is a guide to young people to follow their dreams. He will release the book at an event at Kennedy Heights Arts.. Read More
Jazz Students Shine
This year saw tremendous growth in our Cincinnati Public Schools youth jazz academy. Launched in 2018, Youth Jazz Cincinnati (YJC) inspires underserved students to develop their creative ability and confidence through the dynamic music of jazz. In partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools,.. Read More
Hello & Welcome!
This year, we set out to make the idea of “welcome” tangible, partnering with diverse artists to create spaces that are unassailably welcoming and deeply inviting for everyone. The Hello & Welcome project developed out of our participation in OF/BY/FOR ALL, a.. Read More
Voices of Freedom
Happy Black History Month! This winter, and throughout the year, we are pleased to present a variety of programs and events celebrating Black history, arts, culture and creativity. We are excited to once again partner with Juneteenth Cincinnati on a month-long, visual.. Read More
Arts OF, BY and FOR ALL
If there is one lesson the global pandemic experience reminded us of, it’s that we’re all in this together. The past two years forced us into unwanted isolation, yet our shared challenges revealed a sense of community. The distance inspired us to.. Read More
Season’s Greetings
In this age of instant messaging, there is something really special about receiving a card. Think about picking up your mail, there’s a bright envelope among the bills, and instantly your day is brighter. It communicates that someone cares enough about you.. Read More
Using art to engage and connect community
Next week, our executive director Ellen Muse-Lindeman will be recognized as one of the Cincinnati Enquirer’s 2021 Women of the Year. The following is a reprint from an October 13, 2021 story. Ellen Muse-Lindeman uses art to engage, connect community Jeanne Houck.. Read More
Tellus Zine seeks creative teens to join the editorial board!
Are you passionate about sharing your voice, and the voice of other teens? Want to become part of an exciting group of teen leaders in Cincinnati? Tellus Zine seeks creative students, in grades 9-12, to join their all-youth editorial board. Applications due 9/12... Read More
Founders Day Honors Leaders & Volunteers
Each year, Kennedy Heights Arts Centers recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to KHAC’s mission through their leadership and volunteer service through awards presented at our annual Founders Day event. The 17th Annual Founders Day will be held outside at the.. Read More
Arts for All
At this time last year, our ability to provide artistic experiences for youth was uncertain. With the public health crisis brought on by COVID-19, we were forced to cancel summer camps and other programming. Yet, creativity didn’t stop. We knew that creative expression.. Read More
Introducing our 2021 Artists-in-Residence
We are excited to announce our 2021 Creative Community Artists-in-Residence: Helen Atkins and Will Geusz of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Helen Atkins and Will Geusz are ceramic artists who partner on installations and public works. They met in a mosaic apprenticeship program in.. Read More
Artigo at Home
Are you searching for fun – and safe – activities for your family that don’t involve looking at a screen? Does date night seem like a distant memory? Let us deliver custom curated experiences to your door! Artigo at Home provides all.. Read More
The Legacy Continues
Next month, we honor those who were the original pioneers of a black lives matter movement that reshaped the way society would see and respect people of color. The Harlem Renaissance was an intellectual, cultural, social, and artistic movement that took place.. Read More
Delivering Joy to Seniors
Our first delivery of JOY went out this week. We could all use some joy right now, huh? This is especially true for older adults. Due to the increased risk factors COVID-19 poses for older adults, many seniors are staying safe by.. Read More
Lifting Voices for Racial Justice
Protests this summer have lifted the voices of people seeking justice. Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest systemic racism and police brutality. Inspired by this, Kennedy Heights Arts Center partnered with Art Beyond Boundaries to provide a platform.. Read More
Our Commitment to our Community
We’ve been asking ourselves what our organization can do to take meaningful action in response to this moment of uprising against racist violence. You may be asking that too. Like many of you, we are outraged at the senseless killing of George.. Read More
Creativity in the Time of COVID-19
Greetings from my dining room table! The Arts Center is closed and our staff are working from home. And, like the rest of you, I am figuring out how to stay safe and navigate in this new reality. One thing we know.. Read More
Art is our Super Power
Groundbreaking research in neuroscience reveals that our need to connect with other people is even more fundamental than our need for food and shelter. Social connection is a super power that makes individuals smarter, happier and more productive.* At Kennedy Heights Arts.. Read More
Going Beyond our Dreams
At last week’s showcase, students in grades 2-6 sang, danced, performed puppet shows, and displayed ceramics and paintings. And, they literally jumped with joy. This marks the third year of Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s partnership with Woodford Paideia Academy to lead a.. Read More
I Come for the Community
Mindy and her longtime friend Annie joined Open Studio a year ago as an opportunity for them “to hang out together and make art.” Turns out, it met more than an artistic need. “It gives us a community,” said Mindy. Every Thursday,.. Read More
Teens make art to make a difference
Homelessness, food insecurity, bullying, depression and anxiety in young people. These are all issues that teens in our community care about – and they are using creative tools to address them. Bridging artistic expression and activism in Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Teen.. Read More
Lifting up Teen Voices
Are you passionate about sharing your voice, and the voices of other teens? Want to become part of an exciting group of teen leaders in Cincinnati? Apply to become a founding member of our Teen Editorial Board. The Teen Editorial Board is.. Read More
Send a Kid to Camp!
This summer, more than 320 young people will explore art, dance, music and theatre at Kennedy Heights Arts Center. In 28 different camps, they will draw and paint, perform original plays, design video games, create mini-worlds, make and fly kites, and become the.. Read More
Jazz in the Heights 2019
Kennedy Heights Arts Center pleased to present the third annual Jazz in the Heights, a summer concert series featuring world-class jazz performers. Jazz in the Heights 2019 will include three concerts: WonderJazz: Stevie Wonder Reimagined on June 9; The Dixie Karas Group.. Read More
Announcing our 2019 Artists-in-Residence
We are excited to announce that poet Wendy McVicker (Athens, OH) and artist Nancy Gamon (Cincinnati, OH) have been selected as our 2019 Artists-in-Residence. Wendy has been an Ohio Arts Council Teaching Artist since 2000, and loves bringing people together to discover.. Read More
Creating a Home
It’s probably no coincidence that the Kennedy Mansion began its life in 1875 as a home—the home of neighborhood founder Lewis Kennedy. Today, Kennedy Heights Arts Center is still creating a home. Although it no longer houses a single family, the center.. Read More
We are the Other
I first learned about photographer Wing Young Huie from my sister Amy Muse who lives in St. Paul, MN, when she told me about his University Avenue Project. For three years, Wing photographed the dizzying diversity in the St. Paul neighborhoods connected.. Read More
Jazz in the Heights
It’s Jazz in the Heights! This summer we’re presenting world-class jazz performers in three special concerts in our Lindner Annex. Join us for sweet sounds, fabulous company, amazing art, great food and drink, and more. All proceeds from Jazz in the Heights.. Read More
Announcing our 2018 Artist-in-Residence
Who are our neighbors? How are we all connected? Residents of all ages will be invited to answer these questions as we share our stories creatively through the medium of video. Each spring, Kennedy Heights Arts Center hosts an Artist-in-Residence.. Read More
Share your Time and Talents with Us
Is it your New Years resolution to give back and get more involved in your community? We can help you out with that! There are many meaningful and fun ways to volunteer at Kennedy Heights Arts Center. Give us some of your time,.. Read More
Enlivening Neighborhoods
In July, more than 300 residents of all ages came together to celebrate five years of Play in the Park. One look at the diverse group of neighbors gathered in Kennedy Park making art, listening to music and connecting with one another.. Read More
Bridging Cultural Divides
Last spring, something truly special happened. We danced. Perhaps that doesn’t sound remarkable, but the experience generated a sense of joy and connection that’s rare. Guided by our artist-in-residence from Inlet Dance Theatre (Cleveland, OH), racially and economically diverse residents of all.. Read More
Fueling Creativity
Something special is happening in Kennedy Heights. Every day, we are seeing evidence of how the arts bring people together, fuel creativity and create a more vibrant neighborhood. Over the next few weeks we will share a few stories that demonstrate this.. Read More
Celebrate Fall – and Community
It’s that wonderful time of year. Kids are back in school, leaves are beginning to change colors, there’s a crispness in the air (that is, until it hits 80 degrees again)… it’s fall. That also means its time for Kennedy Heights Arts.. Read More
Top 10 reasons why you should take an art class
I get it. You’re busy with work and life demands, so fitting in an art class is hard. But nurturing your creative side is essential to your well-being — not to mention lots of fun. Artistic and creative expression offers many benefits... Read More
Send a Kid to Camp!
This summer, more than 300 diverse youth will express their creativity through making art, dance, theatre, and music at Kennedy Heights Arts Center. In 28 different camps, they will paint murals, write poetry, create their own businesses, make scary movies, dig fossils,.. Read More
Teen Voices
What matters to teens? What issues do they face? A group of six local youth, ages 12-16, used their creativity and the medium of film to create short videos that speak to teens. The group collaborated to create Public Service Announcements on.. Read More
Planting Seeds in December
The weather outside might be frightful, but I’m thinking about planting seeds. Twelve years ago, the view along Montgomery Road in Kennedy Heights was a sea of vacant buildings. One of the first racially integrated neighborhoods in Cincinnati, Kennedy Heights is a.. Read More
Spreading Seeds of Happiness
These gardeners have a gift to share with the city. On September 9, Kennedy Heights Arts Center was invited by ArtsWave to help celebrate the grand opening of the Cincinnati Bell Connector downtown. KHAC Arts Education Coordinator Mallory Feltz, artist Karen Saunders.. Read More
The Sounds of Creativity
There is a constant din outside my office. Excited voices, running feet, slamming doors. Yep, its summertime at Kennedy Heights Arts Center. This summer, more than 250 diverse young people will expand their creativity through art-making, dancing, acting, making music and more... Read More
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