We are fortunate that Cincinnati is blessed with significant corporations, reputable universities, excellent hospitals, and major league sports.  Often, the arts are the forgotten step child, despite being an important part of any community.  Luckily, local arts organizations are resourceful and creative enough to weather good times or bad; they strive and thrive.

Case in point #1: Know Theatre of Cincinnati.  Having a long affiliation with Know Theatre as a former staff member and current board member, I look back at its early days, recalling extremely modest audiences, lack of resources which affected artistic quality, resulting in negative reviews thus shaping a similar image of the theatre.  As the years went on, mistakes made, lessons learned, Know Theatre slowly garnered a cult-like following and a specific production in 2003 finally put them on Cincinnati's radar.  Now after 13 years, this company produces five full productions, an education program that tours throughout the U.S. and the annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival. 

Case in point #2: Cincinnati Opera, where I am currently employed.  With humble beginnings at the Cincinnati Zoo, it is now celebrating its 90th anniversary, making it the second oldest opera company in the U.S.  This company works diligently in diminishing opera stereotypes and creating accessibility for new audiences.  Free programs and educational opportunities for novice or inexperienced opera-goers have resulted in a significant increase in audience members 45 years of age and younger.  Presenting contemporary works has also helped Cincinnati Opera in evolving its image.

These two very different organizations both bring out-of-town artists to Cincinnati. Conversations I've had with artists, whether they're on the Fringe circuit or of the international opera world, indicate they really like Cincinnati.  They find our city beautiful.  Our welcoming ways, the feel of community and inclusion - this truly makes a difference.  I'd like to think that when they leave here, they go home or to another city, sharing their positive Cincinnati experience with others.  If only all Cincinnatians had the ability to see the good of this city.  But for now, we'll allow the local arts organizations and visiting artists to lead the way in presenting a personable and hospitable image of Cincinnati.

We're now well into the second week of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, an annual event that started strong in 2004 and continues its momentum.  Even last week on the first day of performances, Fringe audiences were in full force on the streets of Over-The-Rhine, brimming with excitement for the unexpected. 

Fringe is more than a 12-day occurrence.  It's a state of mind.  It's an opportunity to explore, to question, to chortle at awkward and ironic stories.  It's a collective of artists and audiences who create special moments and maybe even lasting friendships.  It's an event that brings people from Los Angeles, Canada, New York.  For some, like me, it's a reunion of sorts.

If anything, Fringe is exactly what is needed here in Cincinnati, a city often perceived as conservative, traditional, behind-the-times.  Fringe attendance and income figures alone indicate a local demand for something new, out-of-the-box, experimental, anything un-Cincinnati. 

Art in general is an ever-changing entity.  Without the ability to morph or evolve, nothing progresses, everything stays the same.  We don't want Cincinnati to embody Einstein's idea of insanity, do we?  Art offers ways for change and growth: discovering new ideas, seeing life through the eyes of another, having an epiphany.  

Go join the Fringe action, embrace the idea of venturing outside your comfort zone, feel the thrill of seeing a performance unfold a mere six feet away.  Don't expect everything to be polished or pretty or promising; that's the whole point - Fringe is all about experimentation, taking chances.  While shows can surely be a gamble, Fringe offers unique experiences that will stay with you, possibly inspiring the kind of change we need in our Greater Cincinnati.