Contemporary Arts Center

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Contemporary Arts Center Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) brings art and the creative process to all people. The CAC has a long and rich history. It was the first U.S.
(1678)

The Contemporary Arts Center's mission is rooted in the belief that there is an intimate link between art and life and that connections are made through contemporary art. Since 1939, the CAC—one of the nation's oldest and most celebrated contemporary art institutions—has been a steadfast facilitator for that connection, and a conduit for innovation. It remains today an open hub for creative inspiration, art celebration, and intellectual stimulation—a place to be inspired by new ideas and where art connects people to each other and to the world outside. At the cutting edge of contemporary art for decades, the CAC is known around the world for the creative freedom and support it gives to artists, the access and opportunities it provides to the public and the space it creates for cross-generational and cross-societal dialogue around contemporary issues. In 1940 it was one of the first venues in the United States to exhibit Picasso's Guernica, it presented one of the first museum exhibitions of Pop art—with works by future icons such as Jim Dine, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol; one of the first major exhibitions of the famed sculptor, Dale Chihuly; and the first museum survey to spotlight the underground, DIY, street art movement with Beautiful Losers. It has hosted lectures and performances by future luminaries such as Buckminster Fuller, Margaret Meade, Maya Angelou and David Byrne; commissioned valued public art installations; and furthered public discourse over contemporary art. It's current home, the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, opened in 2003. art museum designed by a woman, London-based Zaha Hadid. Called ""the most important American building to be completed since the end of the cold war” by the New York Times, the design won Hadid the prestigious Pritzker Prize. https://contemporaryartscenter.org

10/16/2026

Join us TONIGHT from 7-10 p.m. for our cosplay-themed Creative Cafe.

During this Creative Cafe we will be sporting our favorite cosplays and encouraging attendees to enter our cosplay contest with a prize for the winner. We have a number of new vendors, paired with a performance by Derrick Smith at 8:30 p.m. Expect a vendor village, conversation tables, giveaways, and chances to network. Please come out and support your local creatives.

This event is 18+ and free.

Introducing CAC's 2026-2027 Artists in Residence! Please welcome Orion Inez, Nikita Gross, and Engler Gonzalez.For the f...
10/13/2026

Introducing CAC's 2026-2027 Artists in Residence! Please welcome Orion Inez, Nikita Gross, and Engler Gonzalez.

For the fall season, we have Orion Inez hosting an illustration residency called “Pocket-Sized” inspired by their original “Star Guy” character design.

In February, Nikita Gross will host a photography residency experimenting with development processes and film photography.

For June, Engler Gonzalez’s writing residency will combine visual art and writing to explore identity and belonging.

AIR workshops take place on Saturdays from 1-3pm in the Creativity Center at CAC and Wednesdays at the Downtown Public Library from 4-6pm. Stop by and make art with these talented artists!

Photo credit: HATSUE photography

Join us TONIGHT as we celebrate the opening of Lenny Harmon's exhibition, “People of the Good River,“ which showcases In...
10/09/2026

Join us TONIGHT as we celebrate the opening of Lenny Harmon's exhibition, “People of the Good River,“ which showcases Indigenous culture outside of the outdated stereotypes of history books.

“People of the Good River“ challenges these misconceptions by capturing vibrant, everyday realities of Indigenous people living in Cincinnati Today. Grounded by the legacy of the Ohi-yo – the Seneca word for Good River – this exhibition pairs candid portrait photography with hand-pulled screen printing on paper. Each physical layer of ink builds a portrait of modern life, work, and community, moving past romanticized tropes to celebrate an enduring present and archive the people who are actively shaping Cincinnati's contemporary narrative.

Join us Friday, Oct. 9, from 5 – 9 p.m., to celebrate the opening of Urban Native Collective’s “Indigenous Peoples’ Day ...
10/08/2026

Join us Friday, Oct. 9, from 5 – 9 p.m., to celebrate the opening of Urban Native Collective’s “Indigenous Peoples’ Day Convergence.”

Urban Native Collective is a Cincinnati-based organization serving the Indigenous community in the Tri-State area. This exhibition is a four-day celebration focused on current issues affecting the Indigenous community, their past, their resilience, and their bright future.

Artists presented in this exhibition include Jaque Fragua "Mobil Savage" (Pueblo), Robert Franklin (Diné), Steph Littlebird (Grand Ronde), Kobi Morgan (Diné), Cole Reuben (Seneca), Sara Siestreem (Hanis Coos), Mariana Varela (Mexican), Hiro Cash (Diné), Jeremy Dennis (Shinnicok), Carlos Ramirez (Mexican), and Solstar (Mayan). Curated by Leonard D. Harmon (Nanticoke).

Featured performances from the Copper Face Powwow troupe and DJ Creepingbear.
Tortilleria Garcia will have a selection of food items for purchase.
The reception and performances are free and open to the public.

Poster courtesy of Reaicide. Image courtesy of Urban Native Collective.

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If you're downtown for BLINK, stop by CAC. We have an official Blink pop-up merch shop in the lobby as well as spots to...
10/07/2026

If you're downtown for BLINK, stop by CAC. We have an official Blink pop-up merch shop in the lobby as well as spots to take a load off, recharge, and relax. Our lobby, bathrooms, and Lower Level will be open until 11:00 p.m. all four nights, and Urbana Cafe is open until 9:00 p.m.

đź“Ť44 E. 6th Street

CAC is hiring a Membership + Annual Giving Manager. Interested in learning more? Visit cincycac.org/jobs.
10/05/2026

CAC is hiring a Membership + Annual Giving Manager. Interested in learning more? Visit cincycac.org/jobs.

In collaboration with Northside Photo Walk, the Contemporary Arts Center is hosting a Museum Photo Walk! Join us TODAY, ...
10/04/2026

In collaboration with Northside Photo Walk, the Contemporary Arts Center is hosting a Museum Photo Walk! Join us TODAY, Sunday, Oct. 4, at 12 p.m. as we explore our Zaha Hadid-designed building alongside a CAC docent, and learn about the exhibitions currently on display.

Join a community of like minded photographers of all stages to learn more about photography, give out pointers, or just enjoy a walk around our beautiful building.

This event is free and open to the public.

Meet our new Artist in Residence, Orion Inez!Their "Pocket-Sized" residency explores comics and character design, inspir...
10/03/2026

Meet our new Artist in Residence, Orion Inez!

Their "Pocket-Sized" residency explores comics and character design, inspired by their original "Star Guy" character. Join us today from 1-3 p.m. to make art with them and learn more about their practice.

đź“· HATSUE
Art by Orion Inez

Tonight’s the night! Join us at Contemporary Arts Center to celebrate the opening of “In the Interest of Time.”5 p.m. – ...
10/02/2026

Tonight’s the night! Join us at Contemporary Arts Center to celebrate the opening of “In the Interest of Time.”

5 p.m. – Gallery Tour of “In the Interest of Time,” with artists Elijah Howe, Julie Renée Jones, Robyn Moore, Osamu James Nakagawa, Jordanne Renner, Joseph Vitone, and Lynn Whitney, and curator Theresa Bembnister. Open to CAC Members and FotoFocus Biennial Pass Holders.
6 p.m. – CAC galleries are open to CAC Members and Biennial Pass Holders.
8 p.m. – 10 p.m. – CAC galleries are open and FREE to the public.

Please register through the link at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/contemporaryartscenter-rosenthalcenter/event/fotofocusbiennialopening.

“In the Interest of Time” will be on view at CAC from Oct. 2 – Feb. 7, 2027.

Tonight, step into the world of Widline Cadet!Contemporary Arts Center invites you to celebrate the opening of “Widline ...
10/02/2026

Tonight, step into the world of Widline Cadet!

Contemporary Arts Center invites you to celebrate the opening of “Widline Cadet: Seremoni Disparisyon (Ritual [Dis]Appearance).”

6 p.m. – CAC Galleries are open to CAC Members and FotoFocus Biennial Pass Holders.

7 p.m. – Conversation with “Widline Cadet: Seremoni Disparisyon (Ritual [Dis]Appearance)” curator Kristen Ga***rd, Herzfeld Curator of Photography and Media Arts at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI; and Shelby M. Sinclair, Assistant Professor in the Department of African American and African Studies at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. This conversation is open to CAC Members and FotoFocus Biennial Pass Holders. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

8 p.m. – 10 p.m. – CAC galleries are open and FREE to the public.

Please register through the link:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/contemporaryartscenter-rosenthalcenter/event/fotofocusbiennialopening/

“Widline Cadet: Seremoni Disparisyon (Ritual [Dis]Appearance)” will be on view at CAC from Oct. 2 – Feb. 7, 2027.

“Widline Cadet: Seremoni Disparisyon (Ritual [Dis]Appearance) is organized by the Milwaukee Art Museum.

📷 Widline Cadet (Haitian, b. 1992), "Sé Sou Ou Mwen Mété Espwa m #3 (I Put All My Hopes On You #3)," 2021, Inkjet prints, 50 x 40 × 2 in. (127 × 101.6 × 5.08 cm). Milwaukee Art Museum, Purchase, with funds from the Lucia K. Stern Trust. © Widline Cadet.

Address

44 E 6th Street
Cincinnati, OH
45202

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 7pm
Thursday 12pm - 7pm
Friday 12pm - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+15133458400

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