Contemporary Arts Center

The Contemporary Arts Center is an arts center located in Downtown Cincinnati spanning seven floors with approximately 80,000 square feet of exhibition space. The building houses multiple galleries, performance venues, and an education center designed to support various forms of artistic programming.

Three women founded the Modern Art Society in 1939, which evolved into the Contemporary Arts Center in 1954 to focus on current artistic expressions. This shift reflected a growing commitment to showcase and support contemporary art forms.

The center displays works in painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, performance, and new media from both established and emerging artists throughout the year. These rotating exhibitions offer visitors insights into diverse contemporary artistic expressions and how artists respond to the world around them.

Visitors can explore galleries and attend performances based on the current program, with monthly ArtWalk events on second Thursdays featuring art demonstrations and local vendors. Checking the website beforehand helps you plan your visit and learn about upcoming exhibitions and events.

The building was designed by architect Zaha Hadid and represents her first American project, featuring movable wooden wall panels that create flexible exhibition spaces. These innovative walls allow the center to quickly reconfigure rooms and support different types of art presentations.

Website: http://cacno.org

GPS coordinates: 29.94380,-90.07077

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:25