About Us

Our History

The Kennedy Heights Arts Center is housed in the former home of Lewis Kennedy, built in 1875. The historic, wood-frame building sits on 2.5 acres in the heart of Kennedy Heights, a diverse neighborhood in the City of Cincinnati.

Founded in 2004, Kennedy Heights Arts Center is an example of community action at its best. When developers threatened to demolish the historic Kennedy Mansion, a group of local residents organized to save it. The City of Cincinnati contributed a grant for a down payment, and 40 neighborhood residents contributed money in personal certificates of deposit as collateral to secure the loan – and the Arts Center was born.

A few people’s dream has become the inspiration of many – literally hundreds of people helped to transform the distressed property into a thriving community arts center. Initially all volunteer-run, the Arts Center hired its first executive director in 2008.

A decade later, Kennedy Heights Arts Center partnered with other nonprofits to revitalize another blighted property: a vacant, former grocery store adjacent to our main facility. After 5+ years of work, we completed a $2.4 million renovation transforming an eyesore into a multi-use cultural campus including KHAC’s Lindner Annex. The 10,300 square foot satellite facility includes a multi-purpose performance and event venue, digital media lab and artist studios.

Our Mission

The mission of Kennedy Heights Arts Center is to provide accessible and inclusive arts and cultural experiences that celebrate diversity, nurture creativity, and build vibrant, connected communities.

Through a wide range of arts and cultural programs, the Arts Center:

Promotes interaction and sparks dialogue across generations and all cultural and economic groups
Creates opportunities for joyful discovery and collaboration, and
Makes the arts affordable and accessible to everyone.
100% of our programs are accessible to everyone regardless of ability to pay.

Our Sponsors

Kennedy Heights Arts Center is grateful for the generous support of our donors.

Annual operating support provided by:

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The Staff

ellen-muse-lindeman-copyrightnataliejeannephotography-2 Ellen Muse
Executive Director
ellen@kennedyarts.org

Ellen Muse became Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s first Executive Director in January, 2008. To Ellen, the position at Kennedy Heights Arts Center was her dream job, bringing together her love of the arts and her passion for building community. In partnership with the Board of Directors, Ellen is responsible for the organization’s achievement of its mission and financial objectives through strategic planning, fundraising, effective programs, and community relations.

With more than 20 years experience in nonprofit leadership, Ellen previously served as the Program Director and Director of Development for the Center for Great Neighborhoods in Covington, Kentucky. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from the College of Wooster (Ohio) and a Master’s of Social Work Administration from the University of Cincinnati.

Mallory Feltz
Director of Exhibitions and Public Art
mallory@kennedyarts.org

Mallory Feltz joined the staff at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center in January 2015. Mallory’s love of all art forms and the desire to make art available to all people is what drew her to the organization. As a resident of the area, she is passionate about building a strong community and providing opportunities to its residents.

Her own 2-D and 3-D artwork consists of a wide range of materials, mainly textiles, and explores applications of new techniques. Mallory held the position of Arts Education Coordinator at KHAC for four years. In January 2019, Mallory became the new Director of Exhibitions and Public Art for Kennedy Heights Arts Center. Mallory earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Sculpture from the University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning in 2006, and her MFA in Sculpture from Louisiana State University in 2009. Prior to working at KHAC, Mallory worked in custom framing and the commercial art world coordinating projects for a variety of clientele, including international companies.

Asha Gendrew
Director of Education
asha@kennedyarts.org

Asha Gendrew is an artist, arts educator, and community-engaged arts leader passionate about using creativity to foster connection, amplify diverse voices, and create opportunities for meaningful community participation. As Director of Education at Kennedy Heights Arts Center, she oversees arts education programming, school and community partnerships, and initiatives that expand access to creative learning for people of all ages.

Her work bridges arts education, community engagement, and creative placemaking, with a particular interest in using the arts as a tool for dialogue, research, and collective decision-making. Throughout her career, she has developed and led interdisciplinary arts programs, facilitated community-centered projects, and curated exhibitions that explore identity, belonging, and social connection.

A practicing visual artist working in oil painting, textiles, and mixed media, Asha brings her creative practice into her approach to education and community collaboration. She holds a Master of Arts in Art Education from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, as well as an undergraduate degree in Communications with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies.

Carolyn Youngquist
After-School Enrichment Manager
carolyn@kennedyarts.org

Carolyn Youngquist started her career as a school-based Choir Director, holding a B.M. in Music Education from Xavier University. She transitioned into nonprofit work in 2023. Through her work at Kennedy Heights Art Center, Carolyn’s main mission is to provide barrier-free arts education for students of all ages.

As After School Enrichment Manager at the Academy of World Languages, Carolyn manages K-8 after school programming tha focuses on building creative spaces for students to learn, grow, and build community.

Outside of after school, Carolyn is an active aerial artist, vocal performer, and community organizer.

Brandon Graves
Program Manager, Cincinnati Jazz Academy
brandon@kennedyarts.org

Brandon Graves is a music educator, performer, and arts leader committed to expanding access to high-quality, student-centered music education.

A certified K–12 music and theatre educator, he has taught chorus, band, and music appreciation across multiple school districts and was named Teacher of the Year for the 2021–2022 academic year. Brandon has revitalized and built music programs at the middle and secondary levels, including founding a district-wide middle school honors choir and developing new theatre and choral initiatives.

Outside of the classroom, Brandon maintains a rigorous schedule of performing in community groups while still conducting and presenting research on various topics relating to equity, inclusion, and access.

He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management (Arts Administration focus) from Wayne State University, a Master of Music in Music Education from Converse University and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from North Greenville University.

Joi Sears
Director of Marketing and Communications
joi@kennedyarts.org

Joi Sears joined Kennedy Heights Arts Center in October 2023 as Director of Marketing & Communications. With a background in the arts, storytelling, and social change, Joi is passionate about using creativity to connect people, amplify diverse voices, and strengthen communities. She leads the organization’s marketing and communications efforts, developing campaigns and digital content that highlight local artists, exhibitions, arts education, and community programs.

Before joining Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Joi worked as a freelance brand strategist and digital marketer, supporting artists, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations. She also taught creativity, design thinking, and innovation at Miami University. Her work has taken her internationally, including creative placemaking projects in Amsterdam and arts-based community development in Ghana. Joi holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Marymount Manhattan College and a master’s degree in Arts and Social Change from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study.

Quentin Coleman
Program Assistant, Cincinnati Jazz Academy
quentin@kennedyarts.org

Quentin Coleman has been the Music Manager at the Cincinnati Jazz Academy since 2021. He assists in inspiring Cincinnati Public Schools students to reach their artistic potential. He firmly believes in the power of music to strengthen Cincinnati communities and is passionate about giving back to the communities that have served him so well.

Quentin graduated from Clark Montessori High School in 2016 and attended The University of Cincinnati Blue Ash for Broadcast Journalism. While in high school, he played flute and transitioned into playing the guitar during his sophomore year. Reconnecting with his high school community, Mr. Coleman is now the Director of Alumni Affairs at Clark Montessori High School. His duties there include reaching out to Clark Montessori music alumni and making them aware of the thriving music program activities at the school. He also leads the Clark Montessori Alumni Band where recent and past graduates come together to play classic jazz repertoire.

Tricia Conover
Bookkeeper
patricia@kennedyarts.org

Tricia Conover brings over two decades of accounting experience. She has ebbed and flowed between roles such as staff accountant, controller, and senior auditor to balance career with family, building a versatile skill set. After five years of remote work, she intentionally pivoted back to hands-on, mission-driven community work in the community.

Today, she manages shared bookkeeping for the center alongside two other wonderful local non-profits. Trish is often the first person to greet you when you call or walk through the door. Professionally, she loves helping non-profits stretch every dollar to maximize impact. Personally, she is dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness, using everyday kindness to pay it forward. Tricia holds a B.S. in Accounting and an inactive Ohio CPA license. Off the clock, she enjoys science shows, DIY projects, landscaping, and traveling to visit family.