2025 in review
Dear friends,
2025 was quite an interesting year for CCAC full of exciting, larger-than-life events and small moments of individual creativity. We have journeyed through staff transitions while continueing to grow our reach, welcoming thousands of people from across Greater Cincinnati, while staying deeply rooted in the Uptown Neighborhoods and focusing on what matters most — shared experiences where people feel invited, seen, and connected.
We’ve put together this recap to share with you just a few of the incredible things we were able to accomplish together. Whether you joined us for a free concert, sent your child to camp, exhibited your work, volunteered your time, took a class, made a charitable contribution, or simply walked through our doors for the first time — you help make CCAC what it is.
Thank you for being part of this creative ecosystem!
Best,
John Leo
Executive Director
who we are
CCAC is a community-powered arts ecosystem where everyone can participate in shared creative experiences.
We’re a welcoming hub committed to access, joy, creative expression, connection, and invitation — for artists, audience, staff, and the larger community.
Since 2008, we have been bringing people together to build stronger, more connected communities, focusing on the Uptown Neighborhoods of Cincinnati. We fulfill our mission by providing free and low-cost opportunities in creative education, exhibits, and events.
what happened in 2025
After more than five years away, CliftonFest was back — and bigger than ever.
CCAC proudly produced CliftonFest for the first time in 2025, bringing a beloved neighborhood tradition roaring back to life with a full day of art, music, and community celebration. CliftonFest is an important part of our vibrant and artistically focused neighborhood. It creates new opportunities for artists and offers easy, comfortable ways for community members to interact with art. That’s why we’re delighted that the festival will return on September 26, 2026!
9,500+
attendees from across Greater Cincinnati
12 hours
of continuous live music
44
local artist vendors
25
lasting sidewalk chalk murals
In 2025, CCAC provided summer camps for preschoolers, elementary school students, and — for the first time ever — three weeks of camps for teens! Our camps are not just about exploring the arts. Our teaching artists are trained to support social and emotional learning and give children a healthy, welcoming way to stay active, social, and creative during school break. Campers meet peers they might not otherwise cross paths with, building friendships across schools, neighborhoods, and backgrounds. Plus camp time encourages non-screen, non-tech play, giving kids space to imagine, experiment, and connect in real life.
11
weeks of camp
421
children attended camps
114
different schools represented
$6,000+
scholarships provided
& other free concerts
In 2025, CCAC hosted 33 free concerts by local musicians to a total audience of more than 10,000 people!
Public concerts are one of CCAC’s oldest projects because it is often the easiest entry point into shared creative experiences, and the work is a cornerstone of CCAC’s creative placemaking mission. To increase our impact, we hired our first ever Creative Placemaking & Community Events Manager to focus solely on this work.
In 2025, CCAC welcomed 325 people to seven 2nd Sunday Showtime performances — relaxed, family-friendly events designed to make professional arts experiences feel approachable, comfortable, and fun for everyone. This year, we partnered with many great Cincinnati arts organizations like:
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My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus
-
The McGing Irish Dancers
-
Cincinnati Opera
-
Frisch Marionette
-
Playhouse in the Park
-
Riley School of Irish Music
what’s next?
In 2025, CCAC’s board of directors consulted hundreds of artists, participants, staff, and community members to develop a new strategic plan focused on four pillars to guide the organization over the next three years.
PILLAR 1
build the internal systems of welcome
Feed a culture where all staff and volunteers feel welcomed, connected, supported, valued, and respected.
Ensure all staff and volunteers have the tools and systems necessary to succeed in their work, represent CCAC at its best, and welcome others in return.
PILLAR 2
make CCAC the “artistic greenhouse” of the region
Develop programming that is representative and responsive to our community in a cultural, equitable, and accessible manner.
Develop a connected programmatic ecosystem that encourages individuals to value and return to the arts and see themselves as artists.
PILLAR 3
grow external partnerships to share our mission
Partner with external organizations to broaden our reach, impact, and capacity.
PILLAR 4
capture, share, & fund the ripples of shared creative experiences
Ensure fiscal sustainability for the organization, planning for both the next decade and the next century.
Build a consistent and impactful storytelling strategy based on welcoming, the need for shared experiences, and the importance of participating in creative experiences.
2025 by the numbers
hover over or click on the figures below for more details
46,375 people
total attendance for ccac in 2025
180+ events
total number of concerts, exhibits, performances, and events at ccac in 2025
58 music acts
number of bands, musicians, and other musical acts that performed for CCAC in 2025
1,555+ hours
total hours of creative instruction provided in 2025 to ages 1 – 91
Fun Fact: In 2025, CCAC welcomed people from over 46 unique ZIP codes across Greater Cincinnati. In fact, 50% of our participants come from outside the Uptown Neighborhoods of Cincinnati, and 15% come from outside the I-275 loop!
let’s talk about money
operating statement for fiscal year 2025
*these numbers are preliminary
revenue
expenses
capital loan
CCAC continues to maintain a loan for the remaining balance of the construction of CCAC’s home at 3412 Clifton Ave, the first purpose-built community arts center in Cincinnati. The loan balance currently stands at approximately $1.3 million with slightly over $300,000 in outstanding pledges.
Thank you for making 2025 such a spectacular year. Here’s to another one filled with just as many opportunities for us to gather together over shared creative experiences.
thank you
Want to help CCAC make this sort of impact day in and day out? Become a monthly donor today by clicking the link below, or email info@cliftonculturalarts.org to find more ways that you can support our work.
