The Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) is a contemporary art museum at 44 E. 6th St. in downtown Cincinnati. Its changing exhibitions bring together work in painting, sculpture, photography, performance and new media, while the building, designed by Zaha Hadid, is a draw in its own right. Head to the sixth floor for the Creativity Center and UnMuseum, interactive spaces where children and adults can explore and make art. Admission to the galleries is free, so you can drop in without planning a full museum day.
A museum built around new work
The Contemporary Arts Center began in 1939 as the Modern Art Society, founded by three local women. It was among the early US institutions devoted to contemporary art. Today, the CAC is a non-collecting museum: it does not build its program around a permanent collection. Instead, exhibitions focus on new developments in painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, architecture, performance and media.
That approach makes the galleries a changing snapshot of contemporary art. The CAC has presented artists early in their careers, as well as work by artists who later became widely known. Past exhibitions have included Andy Warhol and Shepard Fairey. Current displays vary, so check what is showing before making a visit centred on a particular artist or medium.
Inside the Richard and Lois Rosenthal Center
The CAC occupies the Richard and Lois Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, designed by architect Zaha Hadid. The building’s concrete surfaces and sculptural interior give the visit an architectural focus alongside the galleries. Hadid’s design was her first building in the United States, and the center was the first US museum building designed by a woman.
Exhibition space is spread across the building’s levels, with a sculpture gallery on the second floor. The upper floors also hold spaces for young people and creative activities. If the route between galleries feels unclear, begin at the top and descend floor by floor; that gives you a straightforward way to explore the building.
Hands-on art on the sixth floor
The sixth-floor Creativity Center includes the UnMuseum, an interactive space for children and adults. Activities invite visitors to explore art through making and play, with materials and experiences that can include music, stories and hands-on projects. The zero-waste art lab uses recycled materials for creating, and the space also has a community gallery.
A quiet room is available for nursing parents and people who need a calmer space. Families can also look for Art Play, a program that connects children and adults with exhibiting artists through art-making inspired by their work. Events and activities vary, so check the CAC’s current schedule if you want to plan around a program.
Exhibitions, events and access
Alongside its gallery program, the CAC presents performances and public events. Its This Time Tomorrow festival is one example of the center’s performing arts programming. Some events bring art-making into the galleries or invite people to take part, so the calendar can add a different kind of visit from a walk through the exhibitions alone.
Gallery admission is free. The CAC is downtown on East Sixth Street, and Cincinnati’s streetcar serves the Aronoff Center stop, identified as stop 17. The building has wheelchair-accessible entrances, elevators, seating and restrooms, as well as an assistive hearing loop and listening devices. Check event details separately when planning around a particular program.
Häufige Fragen
Is admission to the Contemporary Arts Center free?
Yes. Admission to the CAC galleries is free. Some programs may have separate details or costs, so check the event information before attending.
What is on the sixth floor of the CAC?
The sixth floor has the Creativity Center and UnMuseum, interactive spaces for making and exploring art. It also includes a zero-waste art lab and a quiet room.
Is the Contemporary Arts Center suitable for children?
Yes. The Creativity Center and UnMuseum include hands-on activities, and the CAC also runs family programs such as Art Play.
Where is the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati?
It is at 44 E. 6th St. in downtown Cincinnati. The Cincinnati streetcar serves the nearby Aronoff Center stop, number 17.
