Meet three Cincinnatians making the city more creative, connected and unmistakably itself, and then help choose the Culture Maker of the Week winner.
Cincinnati culture doesn’t just happen. It’s built every day by artists, musicians, chefs, organizers, performers, business owners, neighborhood champions and wonderfully weird people who give this city its personality.
That’s why CityBeat is launching Culture Maker of the Week, a new contest celebrating the people who make Greater Cincinnati more vibrant, joyful, thoughtful and alive, whether they’re working center stage or quietly making things happen behind the scenes.
Nominees are submitted by you (submit nominations here), and our editors pick the three up for voting. Read about this week’s contenders below, then cast your vote for the person you think deserves the title.
You can vote as often as you’d like until noon on Oct. 30. The winner will be announced Friday afternoon.
Joshua Stout
Nominated by: Katie Stout
Why Katie nominated Joshua:
A truly creative person is willing to share their knowledge and ideas because they know there’s plenty more where that came from. Joshua (or Josh, as I call him) exemplifies that spirit.
He’s first and foremost a muralist. He painted the “Feed Me” mural of Audrey II in Covington, Wonderwoman near Newport on the Levee, Frankenstein in College Hill, Ballerina Hippos on 8th and Main, and he’s currently working on a massive project in Camp Washington near Mom ‘n Em.
His murals total over ten thousand square feet but it’s his willingness to mentor younger artists, hand out spray paint cans to creatives who want to dabble, lead little kids in making a mural at the CAC—it’s those things that make him a Culture Maker.
Josh’s empathy for others and his own vulnerability— he’s open about having autism, the challenge of being a working artist, and the tenderness of having a young kid—build truly deep connections with other people.
He’s not about glitz and glamour (although he does dress very cool), he’s about grit and self-expression. If that isn’t the ethos of Cincinnati, I don’t know what is.
Kenn Melton
Nominated by: Brian Sohngen
Why Sohngen nominated Melton:
Kenn has been tattooing in Cincinnati for almost 20 years.
You can find his work scattered among all sorts of Cincinnatians. He is well known on social media and is known for his character and love for his local community. He would be an amazing choice!
Eve Kennedy
Nominated by: Bear Ivey
Why Ivey nominated Eve Kennedy: Eve Kennedy, known as The Midwest Menace, is a driving force in Cincinnati’s arts and drag community. As the producer of The Midwest Menace Alternative Drag Revue, the city’s only monthly alternative drag show, Eve has created a space where Drag Queens, Kings, and Things are celebrated for pushing creative boundaries and expressing themselves authentically.
Beyond the stage, Eve has worked tirelessly to bring drag into venues outside traditional queer spaces, expanding visibility and introducing new audiences to inclusive, thought-provoking performance art. Her show is widely recognized for fostering one of the most welcoming and diverse environments in the city, uplifting performers of all identities and experience levels.
As an autistic transfeminine artist, Eve pours heart, creativity, and dedication into every production. From curating exceptional casts and creating the music that carries each show to developing immersive themed experiences, every detail reflects her passion and vision. Eve Kennedy embodies the spirit of creativity, inclusion, and community, making them an outstanding choice for CityBeat’s Culture Maker of the Week.
Cast Your Vote
Vote once. Vote twice. Vote every time you reopen the tab. Then send this story to the group chat, neighborhood Facebook page, Discord server or overly competitive family member of your choice.
You can vote as often as you’d like until noon Oct. 30. The winner will receive a featured CityBeat story, recognition across CityBeat’s social channels and eternal neighborhood bragging rights.*
*Not legally binding, but spiritually true.
Know Cincinnati’s Next Culture Maker?
Nominations are always open. Tell us about an artist, DJ, chef, bartender, muralist, musician, organizer, educator, performer, community builder or other local human making Cincinnati a more interesting place. Nominate a Culture Maker here.
