$1M gift will aid in renovations for Clifton arts center

The Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) has announced a $1 million leadership gift for the first phase of renovations to the historic Clifton School.

This funding, in combination with a $250,000 capital arts grant from the City of Cincinnati, $250,000 received from the State of Ohio, and a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to pay for the first phase of renovations, will make the building fully ADA-accessible and code compliant by adding a fire protection system, secured lobby entrance, and an elevator.

"We feel particularly humbled, in this economic climate, for this investment in our project," says Ruth Dickey, executive director of the CCAC.

Dickey says that work on the elevator and fire protection system should begin by this fall, with work wrapping up in late spring or early summer of 2010.

These improvements will allow access to the auditorium, music rooms, and classrooms on the building's top floors.

"This money doesn't provide enough for us to renovate the auditorium and gymnasium space yet, but it is enough for us to authorize our architect, KZF Design, to begin work," Dickey says.

Dickey also wants potential donors to know that none of the money can be used for the CCAC's programming or operations.

"We did an end of the year appeal, and we were really pleased with the response," she says.  "People stepped up and made some very generous gifts.  Now we're hoping that the money from the capital gifts make people realize what an asset for the community we know this can be."

When renovations are completed, the CCAC expects to serve approximately 100,000 each year and contribute over $1 million annually to the local economy.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Ruth Dickey, executive director, Clifton Cultural Arts Center
Photography by Scott Beseler