Greater Cincinnati Invests over $10 million in the Arts

Cincinnati, OH-June 11, 2009

Arts organizations in our region learned today that area residents' donations to the campaign for the arts will add up to a $10.2 million dollar investment in arts organizations and events.

The Fine Arts Fund board approved recommendations by community volunteers for how to distribute $10,192,741 to arts organizations. Most of the donations provide critically important funding to cover the day-to-day expenses of 18 community-based arts groups, while a grants program supports additional initiatives by approximately 70 nonprofit groups. Taken together, this investment will support a wide range of valuable experiences including music, dance, art, and theater in communities all across our area.

Mark Serrianne, Chair, Fine Arts Fund Board of Trustees said, "The success of this year's campaign is strong affirmation we all value the arts. In these times, we often turn to activities that provide meaning in our lives and want to share these broadening and uplifting experiences with family and friends."

Forty volunteers participate in a thorough review of the capacity of arts organizations to ensure that grants provide as much benefit as possible to people across our area.

"Volunteers spend considerable time assessing the commitment and effort of arts organizations to increase access to the arts for everyone throughout our diverse region," commented Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph.D, Chair, Member Allocations Committee.

Eric K. Combs, Chair, Associate Member Allocations Committee remarked, "Our volunteers offer guidance and support, while ensuring that the investments meet the interests of the tens of thousands of people in our region who donated to the campaign."

Later this year, the Fine Arts Fund will announce awards for community-based outreach and education initiatives funded by a small set-aside of campaign donations and special initiative funding from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, as well as the awards in the grant program.

These investments reflect the Fine Arts Fund's objectives:

· engaging the community in delivering experiences that benefit people
· achieving educational excellence in schools through the arts
· sustaining and strengthening a healthy arts and culture sector
· serving as a champion and catalyst for arts and culture.

You can see a complete list of organizations supported by the community campaign here.

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The Fine Arts Fund focuses on enhancing our community with arts and cultural experiences that offer joy, promote inclusion, and inspire creativity for a strong region.

To donate online, visit https://finearts.sbgpayments.com/.

Grants Announced June 11th

Arts organizations in our region learned today that area residents' donations to the campaign for the arts will add up to a $10.2 million dollar investment in arts organizations and events.

The Fine Arts Fund board approved recommendations by community volunteers for how to distribute $10,192,741 to arts organizations. Most of the donations provide critically important funding to cover the day-to-day expenses of 18 community-based arts groups, while a grants program supports additional initiatives by approximately 70 nonprofit groups. Taken together, this investment will support a wide range of valuable experiences including music, dance, art, and theater in communities all across our area.