News and Events

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 making a ceramic elephant in pottery class (which is still on display in my parents’ home), playing “If I Had a Hammer” on guitar (okay, it’s the only song I know), writing poetry and stories (and my own hard-hitting journalism The Muse News), high-kicking with precision and style (and doing classic Michael Jackson moves) in dance team, or performing on the stage in high school and college theatre (turns out, my greatest love), arts experiences shaped who I am today. 

The arts ignited my creativity, gave me confidence, opened my mind to new ideas and perspectives, and instilled empathy and understanding.

And for a kid who moved around a lot, the arts always provided me a space where I was welcomed, included, seen and heard. 

So it’s probably no surprise that my greatest passion today is to make these life-changing experiences available for all kids. Because as much we know that these experiences positively impact young people, access to the arts is not equitable for everyone in our city or our country.

That’s why Kennedy Heights Arts Center remains committed that 100 percent of our programs are accessible to everyone regardless of income. That’s a promise. ALL of our arts education programs are FREE or offered on a sliding scale basis, allowing families to pay only what they can afford. 

Of course, none of this would be possible without YOU.

Generous support from donors like you allows Kennedy Heights Arts Center to provide enriching arts experiences for more than 2,500 diverse youth annually including art classes, summer camps, Cincinnati Jazz Academy, arts integration in Cincinnati Public Schools classrooms, Cr8 Club after-school arts + social learning program, Teen Artists for Change, Tellus Zine teen-created publication of art and writing, Magnificent Makers workshops introducing contemporary BIPOC artists to kids at public libraries, and more.

I invite you to join me in providing Arts for All with a gift to our Scholarship Campaign.  Your donation helps ensure that all kids can participate in arts activities with no financial barriers. Our goal is to raise $20,000 by June 30.

GIVE NOW

You just may be changing the life of a child.

Image above by Will Jones Photo.