This October, the Queen City will be overflowing with art.
Local nonprofit ArtsWave is helping launch “Cincinnati Art Week” in partnership with Fifth Third, a weeklong event designed for artists by artists that invites residents and visitors to explore the creative communities across Cincinnati through a week of exhibitions, conversations, creative experiences and public programming.
The event is created and operated by BLINK alumni Cincy Nice and No Standing, and takes place from Oct. 3 through 10 — two days after the FotoFocus Biennial launches, and right in the middle of BLINK 2026’s launch on October 8. It will feature extensive art and arts-focused programming across the city, primarily in Over-the-Rhine.
“For a century now, ArtsWave has invested in this community’s arts, and Cincinnati Art Week is the next natural step in that work,” said Alecia Kintner, president and CEO of ArtsWave. “We’re proud to sponsor both Cincinnati Art Week and BLINK this year, putting homegrown talent on display in the same week that we welcome artists from around the world. That’s what makes Cincy so strong, we lift up our own and open our doors to others.”
Cincy Nice founders Billy and Destinee Thomas previously served as co-producers of BLINK in 2022 and 2024, helping bring to life projects including the Cincy Nice Social House artist lounge, and several festival firsts including the Cincinnati Skate Park pop-up, Asha Ama’s fashion show, Brazilian artist VJ Suave’s moving tricycle projection and the Breonna’s Garden augmented reality experience.
“Cincinnati is an art city,” said Destinee Thomas, co-founder of Cincy Nice and Cincinnati Art Week. “Cincinnati Art Week is about making that identity more visible. By showcasing independent and emerging artists during one of the city’s biggest cultural moments, we’re connecting people to the creative energy that already exists while building momentum for what’s next — for artists, neighborhoods and Cincinnati as a cultural destination.”
During the inaugural Cincinnati Art Week, visitors can expect two self-guided Art Walks through Over-the-Rhine; six to eight vacant storefronts transformed into exhibitions, pop-up galleries and experiences through a partnership with developers 3CDC, Urban Sites and Model Group; featured projects from emerging, established and visiting artists; a central Cincinnati Art Week hub for creative gatherings and social experiences; artist talks, demonstrations and community conversations; opportunities to discover local artists, galleries and creative spaces; and neighborhood partnerships and community programming.
“Arts and culture are essential to what makes Cincinnati a vibrant place to live, work and visit,” said Mayor Aftab Pureval. “Cincinnati Art Week creates new opportunities for residents to engage with the creativity happening throughout our neighborhoods and celebrates the artists and cultural organizations that help define our city’s identity.”
The public is invited to connect with the Cincinnati Art Week team during open office and artists coworking hours at its new headquarters at 1417 Main St. in Over-the-Rhine. For more information, visit Cincinnati Art Week’s new website.