Clifton Cultural Arts Center

The Clifton Cultural Arts Center was first imagined in 2004 after a series of community engagement meetings addressed the fate of two key historic buildings – the 1906 Clifton School and the adjacent McDonald Estate Carriage House – both scheduled to fall into disuse in 2008 as a result of imminent initiatives included in the Cincinnati Public Schools Master Plan.  A seed was sown – and the CCAC is the outgrowth of that idea: that participation in cultural and artistic activities contributes to more cohesive communities and more successful, more inspired children and adults.  Today, a proactive, dedicated group of citizens have nurtured the potential of that ideal to create a rare and remarkable opportunity: A multi-venue, truly regional Cultural Arts Center encompassing – and preserving – over 57,000 square feet of historically significant space in an incomparable urban campus. The guiding vision of CCAC is one of a dynamic and collaborative civic hub – a bustling hive of artistic activity and personal expression where people of all ages and backgrounds, from all over Greater Cincinnati, will come and go from morning until evening. But unlike any typical community arts center, CCAC is uniquely inspired and endowed by the opportunity to create an unparalleled, multi-venue campus while preserving two significant historic buildings adjacent to the established Clifton Recreation Center. With programs designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of ages, backgrounds and ability levels, CCAC and our partners will attract a diverse array of accomplished and aspiring artists, hobbyists, aficionados, dabblers, and those who just come to observe, enjoy the unique environment and enrich their daily lives.