About Cincinnati Arts Association

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 700,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached nearly three-quarters of a million students.

CAA is proud to be a member of Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, and Performing Arts Center Consortium.

MISSION

The mission of the Cincinnati Arts Association, as the region’s premier promoter of the arts and entertainment, is to use its expertise as a manager, presenter, and educator to:

•    Offer a broad range of high quality performing and visual arts programs

•    Develop diverse audiences

•    Foster an appreciation of the arts and understanding of their forms

•    Encourage the use of facilities by local and regional arts organizations

PERFORMANCES

Through its annual Presenting Season, CAA is committed to serving diverse audiences with an eclectic mix of entertainment from around the world designed to enrich our community. Past presenting events have included: Bowfire, Celtic Woman, The Chieftains, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Kodo Drummers, Paul Taylor Dance Company, The Peking Acrobats, Showtime at the Apollo on Tour, Sweet Honey in the Rock and The Ten Tenors.

VISUAL ART

The popular Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center) specializes in the work of local and regional artists and is the only gallery in the area that can be dedicated to site-specific works. Since opening in 1995, the gallery has presented more than 71 exhibitions.

EDUCATION

CAA’s Education Department promotes life-long learning through its programs, which are diverse, multidisciplinary, and accessible to all ages and cultural groups. SchoolTime presents a series of programs that feature nationally-recognized artists at CAA’s two venues, and Artists On Tour schedules 30 local artists in Tri-state schools for interactive arts experiences aligned with the curriculum.

Since the inception of its educational program in 1995, CAA has reached nearly three-quarters of a million students.

OVERTURE AWARDS

The Overture Awards Competition and Academy recognizes, encourages and rewards excellence in the arts among Tri-state high school students. It is the largest annual arts scholarship program of its kind in the United States, with more than 400 participants representing 100 public, private, parochial, charter and home schools from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. The annual solo competition offers scholarships and training in one or more of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Theater and Visual Art.

VOLUNTEERS

More than 1,000 tireless volunteers are the face of CAA each day, as they graciously greet and assist patrons at CAA venues. During the 2003-04 season alone, these CAA ambassadors gifted nearly 72,000 work hours, thus enabling the organization to offer services it could not provide without this generous assistance. Volunteers serve as ushers, tour guides, administrative support help, and as gallery greeters. For more information, please call (513) -977-4113 for the Aronoff Center or (513) 744-3344 for Music Hall.

CAA MEMBERSHIP

The Membership Program supports CAA’s education programs, Presenting season, Weston Art Gallery, and the ongoing maintenance of the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. Members receive advance notice of events, ticket discounts, invitations to Members-only events, and more! To join or for more information, call (513) 977-4104.