Prioritizing our Arts & Culture Ecosystem

Art can act as a true democratizer. It inspires, empowers, and ultimately creates pathways for deep cultural and personal change. It allows different voices, perspectives, and experiences to shape the narrative of the time and of our lives. Art, music, and dance are the go-to medium for a morale boost and community building - and yet - arts programming and funding are often the first to be cut in a budget crisis.

We need to shift the “arts second” cultural mindset, ensure we’re investing in local artists and organizations, and generate a deep, lasting appreciation and respect for Cincinnati’s institutions across communities.

What We’ve Done:

In my time on Council, I secured large amounts of funding for critical arts, culture, and food-oriented businesses and organizations, such as ArtsWave, Produce Perks, and Artworks.

I also helped re-establish June 21st, 2022 as Make Music Cincinnati Day – an annual one-day festival on the first day of summer that celebrates the ability of everyone to make music by offering free concerts and musical experiences in public spaces throughout the city. 

Recognizing that creativity and expression come in many forms, I blocked an attempt to raise the barriers for urban agriculture by requiring an antiquated special permit, keeping the pursuit of urban agriculture as accessible as possible.

Lastly, I’ve tried to center and empower young artists throughout my career, most recently volunteering to choreograph a dance performance at the School for Performing and Creative Arts for their Winter Showcase.