Summerfair Cincinnati presents

The Golden Ticket

2026 Juried Art Exhibition

Nov 6 – Dec 4, 2026

Opening Reception & Awards

November 6, 6 – 8 pm

Gallery Hours

Mon/Wed/Fri: 10 am – 5 pm
Tue/Thu: 10 am – 8 pm
Sat: 10 am – 12 pm

CCAC’s annual Golden Ticket Juried Art exhibition, presented by Summerfair Cincinnati, showcases diverse, talented artists living or working within a 50-mile radius of the Clifton Cultural Arts Center. Over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded for Best in Show (for whom CCAC will also host a solo exhibition), second and third place, and honorable mention. We’re also offering a brand new award to outstanding works in the installation art category.

New for Golden Ticket 17

We’re introducing a new $500 Installation Award to celebrate ambitious, site-responsive work that engages the architecture of CCAC in unexpected ways.

Rather than limiting artwork to the gallery walls, we invite artists to consider the entire building as a creative canvas. Stairwells, hallways, windows, rooftops, rafters, bathrooms, and other overlooked spaces are all fair game. We encourage proposals that respond to the unique character of these environments, transforming the building itself into part of the exhibition experience.

Installation submissions are also exempt from the exhibition entry fee, inspired by our commitment to encouraging experimentation and expanding the ways artists engage with the space.

Up to three images plus a written summary for each installation proposal will be accepted.

2026 jury

Jessica Orzulak | Curator, Contemporary Arts Center

Michael Hurst | Director of Exhibitions, Art Academy of Cincinnati

Ena Nearon | Arts advocate, curator, and owner of Ten Talents Network

Michael Solway | Director, Solway Gallery

committee

Susan Byrnes | Ainsley Cameron | Cedric Michael Cox | Diane Fishbein | Barbara Sferra

golden ticket 2026 FAQs

General

A: A juried showcase celebrating regional talent across all media — with a playful twist and golden flair. Think of it as a ticketed invitation to show off your best, boldest, or most beloved work.
A: The exhibition was originally named The Golden Ticket as a nod to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory — when CCAC was housed in our original location, we raised funds to install a “great glass elevator” in the building, just like in the story. While the elevator is no longer with us, the spirit of the name remains. The Golden Ticket is still your golden opportunity to share your artwork and talent with CCAC’s broad and enthusiastic audience.
A: Artists 18+ living or working within the Greater Cincinnati region. (Up to 50 miles from CCAC as the crow flies.)
A: All fine art media welcome — including sound, performance, installation, and works that defy classification.
A: Up to 5 pieces. Bring your strongest work!
A: Nope! Sales are welcome but not required.
A: $35 for the first submission and $10 each for up to 4 additional. This helps cover the awards, reception, and installation support. (We promise it’s not going toward glitter.) We offer an early bird discount to artists who submit before August 31, which takes $10 off of the total submission cost.
A: Great questions! All submissions should be in by 11:59 pm on September 29.
A: Just shoot an e-mail to info@cliftonculturalarts.org. CCAC wants to make sure every artist has the opportunity to have their work seen and their voice heard.
A: CCAC awards over $2,000 in prizes: $100 for Peoples’ Choice, $100 for 1-2 Honorable mentions, $250 for 3rd place, and $500 for 2nd place. The artist selected as Best-in-Show will receive $1,000 as well as one person show during the following exhibition season. New this year, winner of Best Installation will win $500.
A: The Golden Ticket prizes creativity, experimentation, and risk. We also emphasize transparency in the jury process, community engagement, and a damn good opening party.
A: CCAC’s annual Golden Ticket exhibit provides the opportunity to have your work seen both by the illustrious jurors (arts professionals at the top of their fields) and by thousands of audience members, both at and outside of the opening reception. CCAC has built a community that knows how (and why!) to look at art.

Installation & Logistics

A: Yes! Each image should be a JPEG file, sized for clear viewing on a standard computer monitor. Please ensure the shortest side of your image is at least 1200 pixels. File names must follow this format: FirstInitialLastInitial_Title.jpg, for example: HB_TheLonelyTree.jpg

Make sure your images are in focus, well-lit, and accurately represent your work – we want to see it at its best!

A: CCAC will help to photograph your artwork, by appointment. Please contact us in advance at info@cliftonculturalarts.org no later than September 12 to schedule your appointment.

A: Notifications will go out via email in Mid-October.

A: You’ll receive detailed drop-off instructions and installation dates. Our team is here to support you through the process!

A: Include these notes in your application! We’ll do our best to accommodate, and we’ll follow up with any questions.

A: All 2D work should be ready to hang. That doesn’t necessarily mean framed — but it does mean presentable and secure.

A: Besides our bespoke gallery spaces, our 18,000 sq. ft building is filled with nooks and crannies to house your wildest dreams. We imagine site specific proposals for our roof top, for our stairwells, in our meeting rooms, and more! What about our (entirely) gender neutral restrooms? The elevators? Outdoor walkways?

A: For work that requires specialized installation, we welcome artists to be part of the process.

Events & Community

A: That depends on you! We’d love to give the floor to any participating artist interesting in sharing a bit about their work and process. Details TBD!

A: Yes. And a golden-themed cocktail, too!

A: Yes. Please let us know how we can support you. Our building is fully accessible and we are happy to make accommodations.

Odds & Ends

A: drumroll please… This year’s jurors are:

Jessica Orzulak (the new Curator for the Contemporary Arts Center),  Michael Hurst (Director of Exhibitions at Art Academy of Cincinnati and former Area Director of Museum Operations at the 21c Museum Hotel), Michael Solway (Director of the Solway Gallery), and Ena Nearon (Arts advocate, curator, and owner of Ten Talents Network.) Past jurors include: Aaron Betsky, Steven Matijcio, Raphaela Platow, Sara Vance Waddell, Dennis Harrington, Cameron Kitchin, Anissa Lewis, Christina Vassalo, and Tracy Featherstone.

A: CCAC takes a 25% consignment fee to support our exhibitions program. We’ll coordinate pickup with the buyer and cut you a check.

A: Be yourself. Submit what you’re proud of. Don’t overthink it. (Also, label your files clearly and make sure your images are in focus.)

A: Metaphorically, yes. Literally… also yes? In addition to juried awards, the Golden Ticket exhibition features a peoples’ choice award with an additional cash prize. The ballots for this award are none other than Golden Tickets!

Past Best-in-Show Winners

Todd Kunkler

2025

Nathan Currier-Groh

2024

Paul Loehle

2023

Leslie Getz

2022

Judith Effa Ford

2021

Shelby Alexander

2020

Ct King

2019

Melissa Culyer

2018

Debora Myles

2017

Jen Edwards

2016

Kim Rae Taylor

2015

Barbara Ahlbrand

2014