Author: Ellen Muse-Lindeman

  • Building a Creative Community

    • 22 March 2024
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    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 Kennedy Heights Arts Center first opened its doors to the world, and 16 years since I joined this incredible organization as its Executive Director.

    Wow, what a ride it has been!

    Photo Credit: Will Jones


    When I think back to our humble beginnings as a grassroots volunteer effort, it’s truly awe-inspiring to see how far we’ve come. From those fledgling early days, we’ve grown into a vibrant, multi-faceted organization that serves as a beacon of creativity and inclusion for our community.

    Now I look around and see: 17 dedicated staff members, two beautifully renovated buildings (each one a testament to the power of revitalization), and a budget of over $1 million dollars. But perhaps even more impressive is the impact we’ve had on the lives of the 10,000+ people who walk through our doors each year.

    Raise the Heights parade © 2015 Malinda Hartong, Hartong Digital Media LLC


    The Arts Center has enriched lives and strengthened communities through such innovative programming as:

    • exhibitions in two galleries showcasing the work of local, regional, and international artists which spark dialogue on social issues of our time
    • a wide range of arts education classes for both youth and adults, and our beloved summer camp program which welcomes over 350 kids each summer for a season of fun, friendship, and artistic exploration
    • arts integration and after-school enrichment programs in three Cincinnati Public Schools which leverage the power of the arts to fuel creativity and learning for 1,000 underserved students
    • our award-winning jazz academy which engages 140 CPS student musicians in grades 4-12 five days a week after-school, who have performed on stages from NYC to Barcelona
    • artist residencies, which pair diverse artists from all disciplines with residents to create collaborative community art projects that foster relationships and bridge cultural divides
    • hundreds of free cultural festivals, performances, and events that expand access to the arts and create more vibrant communities

     

    Photo Credit: Will Jones


    Even when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of arts venues, Kennedy Heights Arts Center didn’t stop delivering on its mission—we reached deeper into the community to keep creativity alive. Working remotely, the KHAC team distributed 2,780 Creativity Kits to CPS students to keep local youth engaged and learning at home; collaborated with artists and residents to create art installations in the neighborhoods communicating messages of hope, and pop-up art and music experiences on city streets that residents could enjoy safely from their yards; sent Joy Deliveries to area seniors containing handmade gifts created by residents to combat social isolation; and amplified diverse voices in an outdoor, drive-through gallery and online teen ‘zine.

     

    Photo Credit: Will Jones


    Perhaps what I’m most proud of is our unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion. At Kennedy Heights Arts Center, we believe that art is for everyone, which is why 100 percent of our programming is always accessible to all, regardless of financial means. Whether it’s through free events, sliding-scale-based classes, or community partnerships, we’re dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts.

    As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering support, dedication, and passion. It’s because of you – our incredible community of artists, volunteers, donors, and advocates – that we’ve been able to achieve so much over the past two decades.

    I invite you to join us in raising a glass to 20 years of creativity and community at Kennedy Heights Arts Center by reserving your free ticket for our Cheers to 20 Years Anniversary Celebration on May 9th. Additionally, consider supporting us with a donation of $20 for 20 or a sponsorship, contributing to our next 20 years of building a vibrant creative community.

    With heartfelt gratitude,

    Ellen Muse
    Executive Director

     

  • From House to Hub

    • 21 February 2024
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman


    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 remarkable journey.

    (l to r) KHAC board members Jim Zarnowiecki and Richard Cooke talk with supporters Carl Lindner, Jr. and Robert Lindner

     

    I. The Birth of an Arts Center

    Our story starts with a simple but daring idea. The community of Kennedy Heights envisioned turning a historic house, nearly demolished to make way for a car wash, into a vibrant hub for arts and culture. This wasn’t just about providing a platform for local artists; it was about creating a welcoming space where diverse residents could gather and forge connections.

    In 2004, neighborhood volunteers, with support from the City of Cincinnati and local donors, successfully acquired the large 19th-century Victorian house. This house, once a funeral home and the former residence of neighborhood founder Lewis Kennedy, became the cornerstone for what would later be known as the Kennedy Heights Arts Center. Over the next four years, volunteers worked tirelessly to raise money and renovate the distressed building, launch programs, and build the foundation of the nonprofit organization.

    In a chance meeting, the Lindner brothers, Carl Lindner Jr. and Robert Lindner, local business leaders and philanthropists, emerged as key figures in the Arts Center’s journey. This encounter paved the way for a lasting relationship and a brighter future for the fledgling arts center.

    As boys attending elementary school just north of the Kennedy mansion on Montgomery Road, Robert and Carl created cherished memories. Walking about a mile home from their parents’ Silverton residence, they played on the grounds of the mansion. Inspired by fond recollections of their early years, the Lindners had a shared aspiration to do something significant for the Arts Center. This desire materialized through a series of substantial gifts, each in the six-figure range, solidifying their commitment to the center’s enduring success. Their generous financial support had a transformative impact on shaping the community’s cultural legacy.

    Navigating challenges and fueled by the community’s collective determination, the Kennedy Heights Arts Center emerged not just as a community arts center but as a resilient pillar in the heart of the city. It thrived and blossomed into a vibrant hub of creativity for diverse people of all ages. These echoes of its humble grassroots beginnings persist through the years, serving as a living testament to the enduring vibrancy of Kennedy Heights.

     

    II. The First Decade

    As the Kennedy Heights Arts Center opened its doors, the initial decade unfolded as a demonstration of deep collaboration, community-building, and growing impact. Beyond serving as a venue, the Arts Center emerged as a dynamic force, leaving an indelible mark on individuals, families, and the community at large.

    The Arts Center hosted exhibitions, art classes, summer camps, and community events for people of all ages. Within its walls, the laughter of children immersed in transformative arts education programs mingled with spirited conversations sparked by poetry readings and cultural festivals. True to its inclusive mission, the organization made, and kept, an unwavering commitment to accessibility, ensuring that all of its programs are accessible to everyone regardless of income. 

    Ellen Muse, a guiding force from the start, played a pivotal role during this formative period, providing leadership and vision that fueled the Arts Center’s growth. Serving as the Founding Executive Director, Ellen’s multifaceted contributions extended beyond expectations; she became a community catalyst, advocating for the arts, and providing visionary leadership that propelled the Arts Center into a dynamic force not just within Kennedy Heights but throughout the region. Her impassioned commitment to the organization was instrumental during these foundational years, nurturing an environment where creativity thrived, and community bonds were strengthened.

    As the Kennedy Heights Arts Center developed, it did more than open its doors; it became a cornerstone of community enrichment. Through a wide range of programs for diverse people of all ages, the Arts Center has woven a vibrant tapestry in the neighborhood, promising a future where creativity and inclusivity continue to thrive.

    III: Expansion and Transformation

    As the Kennedy Heights Arts Center ventured into its second decade, a pivotal moment unfolded with the acquisition of a nearby, vacant Kroger building—a landmark event that reshaped the organization’s trajectory. In partnership with the Kennedy Heights Development Corporation and other nonprofits, the former Kroger underwent a remarkable metamorphosis, culminating in the birth of the Kennedy Heights Cultural Campus in 2015.

    The renovated structure, which includes the KHAC Lindner Annex, stands as a testament to the community’s enduring commitment to creativity and cultural enrichment. The Annex houses a tapestry of artistic endeavors, featuring artist studios pulsating with inspiration, versatile event spaces fostering the performing arts, a jazz academy for local students, and galleries that serve as vibrant canvases for diverse artistic expressions. Extending the Arts Center’s original confines, the annex not only provided space for new programs–more than doubling the number of people served–it transformed the landscape of the neighborhood.

    The Lindner Annex wasn’t just a physical expansion; it was a manifestation of the Arts Center’s evolution, resonating with the grassroots spirit that fueled its inception. This chapter underscores the community’s ability to transform vacant spaces into dynamic hubs with arts at the core, and the enduring legacy of the Kennedy Heights Arts Center.

    IV. Cheers to 20 Years: Celebrating the Milestone

    To celebrate the incredible journey of the Kennedy Heights Arts Center, a special event, “Cheers to 20 Years,” will unfold on May 9, 2024 in the KHAC Lindner Annex. 

    Mark your calendars and join us for an evening filled with heartwarming performances, engaging stories, interactive exhibits, and a captivating showcase of the Arts Center’s transformative journey. As we raise our glasses to honor the past, present, and future of the Kennedy Heights Arts Center, let us celebrate its enduring legacy crafted through creativity, diversity, and accessibility.

  • Voices of Freedom 2024

    • 31 January 2024
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    For the fourth year, Juneteenth Cincinnati and Kennedy Heights Arts Center are teaming up to present Voices of Freedom, a visual and performing arts series examining Black history from a contemporary perspective, from February 3 to April 13, 2024.

    This year’s theme for the series is seeing the African Diaspora through the eyes of our children.

    Opening February 3, the centerpiece of the project is an art exhibition of new works by ten local Black artists entitled Déjà vu: Creativity Repeats Itself. Co-curated by Ewaniki and Brandon Hawkins of Soul Palette, this exhibit pairs five youth/young adult artists with five seasoned/elder artists to symbolize how the past shapes the future – reflecting on and giving reverence to how we always look back to remember our history and show love to the ones who came before us, as we gather our strength again and again to sustain and forge a greater future.

    “Brandon and I are excited to curate this show to share works of art from local artists who are at different stages in their careers. The opportunity to present artworks from emerging novice creatives alongside established veteran artists is unique and impactful,” remarked Ewaniki Hawkins.

    The public is invited to the Opening Reception on Saturday, February 3 from 6-8pm; and an Artist Panel Discussion on Saturday, February 17 from 3 – 4:30pm.

    Voices of Freedom will also include three dynamic and intergenerational performances featuring dance, spoken word, and music on March 2, 26 and 23 by youth and adults performers.

    All events will take place at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center Lindner Annex, 6620 Montgomery Road. Free, but tickets are required and space is limited.

    Cincy Poetry Night
    Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 PM
    Hosted by MoPoetry Phillips of Regal Rhythms Poetry, this will be an epic night of poetry, musical entertainment, and community building featuring the HeartSounds Band, Zinnia Stewart, Jacqueline “Gifted” Johnson-Wilkinson, SoL, Kiyah Dean, and more.

    GET TICKETS

    Our Connection is Africa
    Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 PM
    The Cincinnati Jazz Academy Junior High Combo under the direction of Dr. Isidore Rudrick will perform to open up this special night of intergenerational music and dance. Then, Cincy Brazil Samba Dance performance shares a world of African roots demonstrating the diaspora through its perspective and experience. 

    GET TICKETS

    I Dream of Me
    Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 PM
    Revolution Dance Theatre in partnership with David Choate Productions presents “I Dream of Me”, a multi-generational performance supported by the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Students from the Academy of World Languages learned choreography from the production and will display some of the same steps alongside professional dancers.

    GET TICKETS

  • A Year of Opening Doors

    • 20 December 2023
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    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 creativity and positively impacted the lives of 9,364 people of all ages through 683 free and sliding scale arts experiences. With your support, 100% of our programs continued to be accessible to everyone.


    Unlocking Potential: This year, our Cincinnati Jazz Academy continued to empower young musicians, providing free instruments, transportation, and instruction to diverse students. Your support helped these students achieve outstanding success, winning accolades at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and setting the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come.


    Inspiring Innovation: Through partnerships with local schools, our innovative arts education programs reached over 1,200 underserved students. From the Cr8 Club after-school program to arts integration projects in classrooms, your contributions made it possible for students to engage with the arts to foster creativity, academic skills, and social-emotional well-being.


    Creating Community: The Vibrancy Fellowship, our unique residency program for emerging BIPOC artists, created powerful connections within our community. As we invested in these artists, they, in turn, enriched our community, creating brave spaces and inspiring positive change.


    Just as a key unlocks a door, your support unlocks a world of endless possibilities through the arts. Your generosity enables us to continue providing free, high-quality arts programs for diverse individuals in our community.


    You Hold the Key: As we strive to reach our goal of $60,000 for the KHAC Annual Fund by December 31, we invite you to consider making a donation today. Your contribution ensures that 100 percent of our programs remain accessible to everyone.

    GIVE TODAY


    Thank you for being a vital part of our creative community. Together, we’ll continue opening doors to a brighter, more creative future.

  • Creating Community: BIPOC Emerging Artists Foster Connections

    • 13 December 2023
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    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 creative experiences were as part of a unique six-month residency for early career Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists at Kennedy Heights Arts Center. The Vibrancy Fellowship aims to meet the needs of emerging artists in an environment that empowers them to take risks and explore new creative challenges while deepening their community practice.

    Designed to facilitate collaboration and mutual mentoring, the fellowship enriches both the artist and the community.

    “We find when we invest in artists, it benefits everyone as they pour their creative gifts right back into the community,” remarks Ellen Muse, KHAC’s Executive Director.

    For Jamie-Lee, this experience was her first time leading a project as an independent artist.

    “Engaging with the community impacted my creative practice by allowing me to see the possibilities and potential of my work,” remarked Jamie Lee. “It helped me feel confident in creating brave spaces – and to see that these spaces are necessary in our world.”

    Just as a key unlocks a door, the arts unlock a world of endless possibilities.

    We believe that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, should have the opportunity to experience the transformative influence of the arts. That’s why Kennedy Heights Arts Center supports and advances the work of underrepresented emerging artists to promote diverse participation in the arts.

    You hold the key.

    Please consider a donation to Kennedy Heights Arts Center to help unlock the doors to creativity for thousands of community members each year. With your support, 100 percent of our programs will remain accessible to everyone.

    GIVE TODAY

  • Inspiring Innovation: Igniting Learning through the Arts

    • 27 November 2023
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    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 emotional outcomes.

    Yet in the era of tight budgets, educators have tough decisions on what to prioritize–and the arts too often fall to the cutting room floor. But not at three local schools.

    Through a partnership with Kennedy Heights Arts Center, more than 1,200 students at Cincinnati Public Schools’ Woodford Academy, John P. Parker School, and The Academy of World Languages benefit from enriching arts education. From our 5-day-a-week Cr8 Club after school program, to arts integration projects in core curriculum classrooms, to family cultural events, students engage the powerful and expressive force of the arts to ignite learning.

    The first thing you notice in these innovative spaces is the palpable energy and joy. Students are actively engaged in the learning process, working with diverse professional creatives in music, dance, theatre, literary, and visual arts. This arts integration approach not only bolsters creativity, it improves students’ academic skills, strengthens social-emotional wellness, and builds confidence. As one student remarked at the conclusion of a project, “It is inspiring. I am inspiring!”

    Just as a key unlocks a door, the arts unlock a world of endless possibilities.

    We believe that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, should have the opportunity to experience the transformative influence of the arts. That’s why Kennedy Heights Arts Center made it our mission to provide free, high-quality arts programs for underserved students.

    “Arts in education is an equity issue,” remarked Ellen Muse, KHAC executive director. “Kennedy Heights Arts Center is committed to ensuring that every student has access to the arts, not as a luxury for the privileged, but as an essential part of a well-rounded education.”

    You hold the key.

    Please consider a donation to Kennedy Heights Arts Center to help unlock the doors to creativity for thousands of students each year. With your support, 100 percent of our programs will remain accessible to everyone.

    GIVE TODAY

  • Unlocking Potential: Empowering Young Musicians

    • 15 November 2023
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    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 from New York City to Barcelona, Spain.

    How did this happen, you may ask?

    The Cincinnati Jazz Academy unleashed their potential. A partnership of Kennedy Heights Arts Center and Cincinnati Public Schools, the after-school program provides extraordinary music education and performance opportunities five days a week for diverse CPS students in grades 4-12. Students receive a free instrument, bus transportation, and meals; and participate in weekly music lessons, jazz orchestras, and combos led by professional jazz musicians and educators–all at no cost.

    The results have exceeded all expectations. In 2023, competing with student bands across the country, our students took home first and second-place awards at the prestigious Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Given the opportunity, these students learned that they can aspire to and achieve great things.

    Just as a key unlocks a door, the arts unlock a world of endless possibilities.

    We believe that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, should have the opportunity to experience the transformative influence of the arts. That’s why Kennedy Heights Arts Center made it our mission to provide free arts programs for underserved students, like these amazing young musicians.

    You hold the key.

    We cannot do this work without you. When you give to Kennedy Heights Arts Center, you help unlock the doors to creativity to more than 9,000 diverse youth and adults annually.

    GIVE TODAY

    Our goal is to raise $60,000 for the KHAC Annual Fund between now and December 31. Thank you for your support!

  • Finding Resilience Through Clay: Erika NJ Allen’s Vibrancy Fellowship

    • 6 November 2023
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman


    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 explore new creative challenges while deeply engaging with the community.

    Erika’s journey is one marked by creativity and resilience, and her story is a testament to the transformative power of art. Her background and artistic journey offer a window into the life and work of an artist dedicated to exploring the human experience.

    Her Artistic Journey

    Erika’s path to the world of art began when she courageously transitioned from a 9-5 corporate job to follow her passion and decided to pursue a BFA in Photography at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, despite facing significant personal and academic challenges. As a first-generation, non-traditional college student, Erika’s academic and artistic journey represents a remarkable story of dedication and hard work.

    She went on to earn an MFA in Ceramics at Cranbrook Academy of Art (graduating in 2023), and is currently the Associate Director of Professional Development and Alumni Coordinator for The Art Academy of Cincinnati. In her own words: “Now, after 2.5 years, I am finally back home, with a career in the arts, an active artistic practice, and a full-circle return to the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Here, I have the opportunity to assist other student artists in envisioning an achievable and enriching future through hard work and persistence.”

    Growing up in Guatemala, Erika’s early life was influenced by her artistic cousin, who served as her creative inspiration. In Guatemala, art was typically considered a hobby rather than a viable profession, and the societal focus was on more conventional career paths. Erika’s determination to follow her artistic passion led her to take a different path, eventually bringing her to the United States to pursue her dreams.

    Transformative Moment

    Erika’s transformative moment unfolded during her senior year of the BFA program when she underwent a hysterectomy, an experience that left an indelible mark on her life and artistic journey. This life-altering event prompted a profound shift in her perspective, both as a person and an artist. In the aftermath of her clinical yet deeply personal medical procedure, Erika found herself reevaluating her relationship with her own body, nourishment, and the essence of life itself.

    As part of her healing process, Erika embarked on a remarkable journey of self-discovery. She reimagined her diet with a focus on fruits and vegetables, recognizing the profound impact these everyday produce items could have on her physical and emotional recovery. This shift in her approach to sustenance took on a meditative quality, guiding her as she worked with clay to regain strength and vitality. What was once an ordinary and mundane act of consuming fruits and vegetables became an intentional and artistic process. Erika’s connection to these organic materials and their transformation through her artwork became a powerful means of expression, capturing the essence of resilience and the human spirit.

    This transformative experience marked a significant turning point in her artistic direction. It enabled Erika to create a unique connection between her own body, her artwork, and the world around her, forging a distinctive path that continues to inspire and resonate with her audience.

    Art as a Conduit for Resilience

    Erika’s art serves as a powerful conduit through which she navigates life’s challenges. Her creative journey has been marked by resilience and a commitment to confronting adversity through her work. Erika’s art is a testament to the transformative potential of vulnerability and storytelling. In her pieces, she invites viewers to explore and share in the human experience, embracing the beauty that emerges when hardships are artfully transformed. By weaving personal narratives into her creations, she empowers others to confront their own challenges and discover their unique forms of resilience. In the process, Erika crafts a deeply empathetic space where the stories of marginalized communities find a compelling voice. Her art is more than an expression; it’s a force that fosters connection and resilience in the face of adversity.

    The Vibrancy Fellowship at Kennedy Heights Arts Center is a beacon for emerging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists in Cincinnati. This residency program provides a nurturing and supportive environment for early-career creatives, like Erika. Designed to facilitate deep collaboration and mutual mentoring, the fellowship enriches both the artist and the organization. The ultimate goal is to produce meaningful outcomes that benefit the local community.

    With this fellowship, Erika receives financial support and access to the arts center’s studio, equipment, and galleries. The fellowship concludes with a public event or exhibition, allowing artists like Erika to showcase their work and its profound impact.

    The Vibrancy Fellowship reflects the Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s mission and is a critical step toward the center’s commitment to becoming more inclusive, equitable, and representative of the vibrant community it serves.

    Resilience Through Clay

    Erika’s project at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center is a testament to her passion for the arts and her commitment to community engagement. As part of her Vibrancy Fellowship, Erika created a temporary ceramics studio that serves as a hub for artistic exploration and collaboration. This studio is fundamentally inclusive, welcoming beginners and advanced artists alike.

    The heart of this project lies in a series of workshops spanning several months, with each month focusing on a particular theme: empathy, unity, equity, and diversity. These themes hold a mirror to the community and society at large, offering participants an opportunity to engage deeply with these concepts through artistic expression. Erika believes that art can instigate curiosity, nurture kinship, and expand knowledge, and these workshops are a testament to that belief.

    Throughout the residency, the participants will create artwork based on the monthly themes, aiming to visualize each prompt’s significance and implications. Ultimately, the project aims to create a communal body of work that serves as a testament to the participants’ experiences, ideas, dreams, and goals. The artist herself seeks to amplify the voices of those who take part in these workshops and share the incredible stories of resilience, unity, and diversity that emerge through their creative endeavors.

    Community Engagement

    Erika NJ Allen’s commitment to community engagement goes beyond art; it’s about building connections and fostering kinship through her creative work. She firmly believes that art has the power to instigate curiosity, nurture kinship, and expand knowledge within a community. Through her fellowship at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Erika seeks to unite individuals, encouraging them to explore the beauty of diversity and shared experiences through art. In her vision, creativity serves as a bridge that connects people, transcending differences and bringing them together to tell their unique stories. Erika’s art is not just a form of personal expression; it’s a medium for collective dialogue and understanding.

    The Beauty of Adversity Transformed into Art

    Erika NJ Allen’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of art. Her experience, as a first-generation Guatemalan-American artist, underscores how adversity can be converted into beauty through creativity. Her art tells stories of resilience, unity, and diversity, challenging societal norms and encouraging self-reflection. The impact of her art is not confined to her life alone but extends to the community she serves. Through the Vibrancy Fellowship at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Erika NJ Allen has the potential to inspire others to embark on their artistic journeys, to explore their own forms of resilience, and to transform adversity into beautiful art. Her story is a reminder that challenges, when approached with passion and creativity, can lead to remarkable, positive change.

    Get Involved

    We encourage you to keep an eye out for Erika NJ Allen’s upcoming exhibition in early 2024 at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center. It’s a chance to experience the culmination of her artistic journey and explore the stories she brings to life through her work. Moreover, you can consider making a donation to the Kennedy Heights Arts Center to further support the Vibrancy Fellowship and its mission to empower emerging artists. Your contribution can help create more opportunities for artists like Erika, fostering creativity and enriching our communities.

    We’re incredibly excited to witness the impact that Erika will bring to the Kennedy Heights Arts Center through her Vibrancy Fellowship. Her artistic vision, dedication, and commitment to community engagement serve as a source of inspiration for us all. We hope you join us in celebrating Erika’s journey and in exploring the incredible beauty that can emerge when adversity is transformed into art. As she brings her work to the community, Erika reminds us that every challenge we face in life can be the canvas for our next masterpiece.

     

     

  • Writing to Exhale: Poet Concludes Fellowship with Open Mic

    • 21 July 2023
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    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 Arts Center with an Open Mic in KHAC’s Lindner Annex on Saturday, July 29.

    We recently sat down with Jamie-Lee to talk about the fellowship experience, the Open Mic event, and what’s up next for this vibrant emerging artist.

    How has this fellowship impacted you as an artist?

    “This experience has been very affirming. Going through the fellowship helped me cultivate my identity as an artist.”

    “Having this opportunity helped me feel confident in creating brave spaces – and to see that these spaces are not only necessary but people value it. This is the space that I was personally looking for – for myself and others – where we can be vulnerable, share stories, share experiences, feel safe and supported as we create our own writing. It’s really refreshing to see.”

    What can we expect on July 29th?

    “I am excited to hear from all the poets [at the Open Mic event on July 29]. Many of these poets have been mentors to me. It feels good to give back to people who have poured into me and saw the artist in me. I’m also excited to hear from the workshop participants and other community members as they take the stage.”

    What’s next for you?

    “That’s a hard question! I hope to have more opportunities to grow into a clear vision of what it looks like to be an independent artist. Not limiting myself, challenging myself to put my work out there… even more than I’m comfortable with. And if the opportunity does not exist, I will create it for myself.”

    __________________

    Concluding her Vibrancy Fellowship, Jamie-Lee Elizabeth invites everyone to a community Open Mic Night in Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Lindner Annex on Saturday, July 29 at 7pm. Featuring local poets and community members sharing their work in a supportive setting, with free refreshments.

    Enjoy this exciting evening with music by DJ Queen Celine and eight featured poets: Camille Jones, DuWaup, Gifted, Keisa Speaks, Laura Wize, Lotus B Renée, The Silent Poet, and TyVictoria. We also invite others to sign up to share your original poetry/writing as well!

    Learn More

  • Arts for All

    • 11 May 2023
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    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.

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