OK, we've all gotten the memo - these are dire economic times, and 2009 was a resoundingly challenging year. It feels like every week I hear from a friend or colleague, here or from afar, who has been laid off (or is worried about being laid off), and all of us, especially those of us in the nonprofit sector, are holding our breath to some extent. And yet, I find myself feeling surprisingly hopeful. Have I lost my mind? Perhaps. But as I look back on 2009, CCAC’s first full year of operations, I'm both hopeful and grateful. Grateful for the incredibly generous support of the community, grateful for our fantastic partner organizations, and profoundly grateful for the almost 10,000 folks from around the region who came to CCAC to appreciate an exhibit, take a class, or enjoy an event.
And in 2010, we have some amazing things ahead. In February and March, we'll host Positively Ninety, an exhibit about active nonagenarians that promises to inspire, and a sculptural installation we can't wait to reveal by Peter Haberkorn and Matt Kotlarczyk. And here's a special surprise for anyone who has read this far - on March 8th at 10 a.m., we will officially break ground on our first phase of renovations to add an elevator and fire protection system to make our building fully accessible, and allow us to use the gorgeous auditorium on the top floor for the first time. Please stop by to celebrate with us!
In April, we’ll be hosting a show called Short Straw, curated by our Public Ally, Erin Deters, about what it means to be a young person in this economy. And to combine with fresh voices and insights, we are thrilled to be hosting the Crafty Supermarket on April 17th - if you missed Cincinnati’s only indie craft fair when it debuted at the Northside Tavern in November, you won’t want to miss this! They'll be expanding at CCAC with some of our region's top talent (plus great food and music).
In May we’ll say farewell to our amazing outdoor sculptures, and welcome an installation of painted river rock by artist Nigel Chalkley, and then in late May and early June, we’ll host the thesis show from the Master of Fine Arts program from UC's School of Art, DAAP, featuring 15 different artists taking over spaces throughout the building with site-specific installations of their work. And in June and July, you can join us every Wednesday at 7 p.m. for our second year of Wednesdays on the Green, featuring free performances every week. Bring a blanket and spend your summer Wednesdays with us - some of my favorite memories of 2009 are of our front lawn filled with almost 300 people, dancing, laughing, picnicking, singing and enjoying one another.
In the fall, we'll inaugurate the fantastic auditorium on the top floor of the school, and welcome back the community for the first time. This will truly be the realization of a dream that volunteers and community members have worked tirelessly for more than six years to bring to life. And despite the economic crisis, despite naysayers, despite twists and bumps along the way, we can finally say it is really, really happening. How could we possibly not be over-the-moon grateful and excited about that? Stay tuned for some exciting announcements about what will be happening in the auditorium beginning this fall, as we continue to answer the eternal question of what's next with enthusiasm, hope, and gratitude. And if you have ideas about what you’d like to be next, drop me an
email - as anyone around CCAC can tell you, I’m a total sucker for big, ambitious dreams.