Category: Art Without Barriers

  • Building A Future Without Barriers

    • 10 June 2024
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    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 vision.

    Fast forward to today, and I am thrilled to share how far we have come: 17 dedicated staff members, two beautifully renovated buildings, a wide range of innovative programming, and a thriving creative community.

    Reflecting on the past two decades, there are countless milestones that stand out:

    • Saving the Kennedy Mansion: Our grassroots effort to save an historic building from demolition and establish an arts center for everyone.
    • Developing the Cultural Campus: A 5+ year, $2.5 million community-driven initiative to transform a long-vacant grocery store into a vibrant cultural campus, revitalizing our neighborhood.
    • Reclaiming Public Spaces: After two homicides in our local park, partnering with residents to create Play in the Park, a beloved summer tradition (now in its 11th year) offering free arts events. This initiative reclaimed the park and dramatically reduced crime in the area.
    • Engaging and Connecting Community Residents: Numerous projects with artists-in-residence have connected diverse neighbors through public art, dance, choral music, poetry, creative writing, community-devised theatre, filmmaking, and more.
    • Expanding Opportunities for Youth: Partnerships with public schools and libraries, the jazz academy, teen programs, summer camps, and classes have nurtured and empowered thousands of young people through creativity.

     

    Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, we never stopped delivering on our mission. We provided free creativity kits to thousands of school kids, partnered with artists to create joyful neighborhood installations and an outdoor art gallery, delivered handmade care packages to seniors in nursing homes, and produced pop-up arts experiences on city streets that residents could enjoy safely from their homes.

    What makes a community truly thrive? It’s not just about economic development; it’s about creating a space where everyone feels valued and welcome. Many people refer to Kennedy Heights Arts Center as a “home,” a place where they are seen and heard. This quality of belonging and community is what makes our Arts Center so special.

    Our unwavering commitment to inclusion remains at the heart of Kennedy Heights Arts Center. Since its inception, we have been dedicated to breaking down barriers to arts participation. I am proud that 100 percent of our programs are accessible to everyone—free or by sliding scale—ensuring that the enriching experience of the arts remains within reach of all individuals, regardless of financial means.

    On the occasion of our 20th Anniversary, I am thrilled to share Beyond 20: Arts Without Barriers, an initiative to sustain our founding promise of inclusion and accessibility for generations to come. We invite you to join us in embarking on this new chapter, reaffirming our dedication that the arts are truly for everyone.


    Beyond 20 isn’t just about sustaining the status quo; it’s about propelling KHAC into an even brighter future. Our goal is to establish a $2 million Endowment to ensure that our programming remains open to all, regardless of ability to pay, always.


    We recognize that true accessibility goes beyond mere physical presence. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to express themselves. Alongside the endowment goal, we are establishing an Inclusion Fund to support capital improvements to the 150-year-old Kennedy Mansion, as well as training and program enhancements, to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities.


    I invite you to learn more about the Beyond 20: Arts Without Barriers campaign and how you can help. Your support will make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals who may otherwise be excluded from the arts.

    Beyond 20: Arts Without Barriers Digital Brochure by Kennedy Heights Arts Center

    Through Beyond 20, we’re not just building a legacy; we’re building a community where creativity flourishes, unencumbered by barriers of any kind.

    To kick off the campaign, we set an initial goal of raising $150,000 at our Cheers to 20 Years anniversary event in May–and I am thrilled to say we exceeded that goal! To date, we have received donations totaling $183,388. What a fantastic start, but we need your help!

    Please join us in ensuring Arts with Barriers, now and in the future, by giving today.

    Thank you for being with us on this journey, and here’s to the next 20 years and beyond!

    Ellen

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  • 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

     

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