ArtsWave’s Black and Brown Artist Program provides funding to Black and Brown artists in the Cincinnati region, supporting their creative interpretations of the themes shaping our current times. Designed to uplift BIPOC voices, the program plays a key role in ArtsWave’s broader mission to promote the sustainability and visibility of arts organizations and individual creators who focus on the preservation and advancement of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color cultural narratives.
Rooted in nearly 100 years of community-based arts support, ArtsWave serves as the region’s primary arts funder. Since its inception in 1927, the organization has enabled the growth and reach of over 150 arts organizations annually through a network of nearly 25,000 donors. These contributions facilitate a wide range of artistic programming, from performances and exhibitions to public art installations and arts education initiatives, enriching every corner of the Cincinnati region.
The Black and Brown Artist Program is one of several impact-based grantmaking efforts run by ArtsWave. It reflects a strong commitment to equity and community representation in the arts, ensuring that diverse perspectives are included and supported through dedicated funding channels. Artists selected through this program are provided with resources to bring their visions to life, contributing to a more vibrant and inclusive cultural ecosystem.
ArtsWave collaborates with several public and private entities to make this program possible, including the City of Cincinnati, Duke Energy, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Fifth Third Bank, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Macy’s, Walter C. Frank, and Peter and Betsy Niehoff. These partnerships underscore a community-wide investment in the power of arts to drive cultural dialogue and societal progress.
Through the Black and Brown Artist Program, ArtsWave continues its legacy of fostering artistic expression that both reflects and serves the local community. By supporting creators of color, the program not only elevates underrepresented voices but also contributes to the cultural and economic vitality of the Cincinnati region.
