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Flow was launched just before the Kintner talks passionately about ERHAPS CINCINNATI’S
pandemic hit but didn’t find its legs art as a catalyst for building empathy arts evolution started in 1840
until the 2021 season, when ArtsWave and understanding, bringing people with the arrival of 19-year-old
secured corporate sponsorship for a together, and making all feel wel- Robert Duncanson to what is now
series of free cultural events. “There come. That’s important, she says, as Mt. Healthy. By then, the booming
was a gap on our stages and in our major companies such as P&G, Kro- region was already known for its nur-
galleries,” says Janice Liebenberg, ger, Fifth Third, and GE work to at- turing of the arts as well as its better
ArtsWave’s vice president of equitable tract a diverse workforce that reflects opportunities for advancement, rel-
arts advancement. Flow, she says, gives their customers’ interests. She points atively speaking, for Black citizens. LOOK DEEPER
Black and Brown artists a chance to out with pride that Cincinnati, since It was the city’s reputation as the The Taft Muse-
demonstrate their talent, but perhaps 2020, has ranked in the top 20 (No. “Athens of the West” that convinced um of Art opens
an exhibition of
more importantly it speaks to the 11 this year) by a major index for arts Duncanson that his chance to be an African artists in
“culturally curious” arts patrons of all vibrancy among U.S. cities. Kintner artist lay here. February, which
races and experiences. draws a straight line between Cin- The self-taught artist focused will include
From the outset of Flow, says cinnati’s commitment to diversity in many of his works on African Peter Clarke’s
Liebenberg, she saw white patrons the arts and its future potential as a American life along the Ohio River, 1960 painting
“That Evening
from the region’s C-suites mingling city on the rise. and his stunning murals adorn the Sun Goes Down”
with young people who “maybe never The move toward more diversity entrance walls of the Taft Museum (opposite page).
felt comfortable in one of our legacy and inclusion, she says, is evolution- of Art. The museum also features a Kevin Auzenne’s
theaters” and people of color who had ary—not revolutionary. “The good Duncanson-Artist-in-Residence “Cuisine Clas-
rarely, if ever, attended an arts event. news is that Cincinnati arts orga- program that’s highly competitive sique” (below)
is part of Black
‘’It started out as a free season pass, nizations have been doing this for a and draws applicants from all over & Brown Faces
but now we sell them and people are while,” she says. “This isn’t an ‘ah ha the country. at the Cincinnati
buying them,” she says, laughing. moment’ but a shared journey.” Fast forward more than 100 years Art Museum.
Flow, says ArtsWave CEO Alecia
Kintner, has demonstrated that art can
be cross-cultural. “Will white people
go to a Black play or art exhibit?’’ she
asks rhetorically. “The answer, so far,
is yes. We’ve been intentional, too, in
creating new connections through the
social aspect of our events as well as
jointly appreciating the talent.”
Kintner believes ArtsWave’s mis-
sion is to build audiences and oppor-
tunities for artists of color to shine.
The organization’s DEI commitment
pulls no punches, beginning with
the first sentence: “We acknowledge
the deep-rooted systemic racism that
permeates our society.’’ It carries that
commitment to right a wrong into its
funding decisions and its annual cam-
paign, which this year will be led by the
husband/wife team of P&G CEO Jon
Moeller and Lisa Sauer. You’ll contin-
ue to see the impact on the walls of our
art galleries and on the theater stages.

P H O T O G R A P H BY C AT H E R I N E V I OX WINTER 2023 REALM 41