Ahead of the Clifton Cultural Arts Center’s grand opening this Saturday, March 9, we chatted with Leslie Mooney, executive director this thriving regional arts center.

See the schedule below!

What are you most excited for people to experience in the new space?

While I’m thrilled to move all of our classes, exhibits and programs back under one roof, I’m actually most excited for some of the brand new or refreshed programming that roll out throughout 2024.

We’ll have some new “date night” features like Crafts & Cocktails and Rooftop Sessions, as well as drop-in hours in our Make Shop which features 3D printers, kilns and art supplies. And, later this year we’ll bring back an old favorite, Second Sunday Family Showtime, which will feature performing arts organizations from throughout the region in an accessible, family-friendly theater environment.

How have you felt the support of the community?

Our “community” – broadly defined not only by geography, but by arts and culturally-minded people from all over has made this dream a reality. The fact that a small arts organization was able to pull off a capital project of this size is testament to the incredibly generous community in this region. From government sources to individuals to groups like Summerfair Cincinnati, it has taken a huge and diverse village to make this happen!

What role will the new CCAC space play in the neighborhood?

CCAC will continue to be an incubator for both artists and arts enthusiasts, growing audiences and preparing the next generations of creative minds in our community. We are also very proud to be another anchor in the Clifton Business District, contributing to the economic vitality of the Uptown neighborhoods and beyond!

What's your favorite part of the building?

I have so many! But, on the top of the list is the second floor art gallery and balcony that looks out onto Clifton Avenue. This area looks down on to our first floor Nourse Gallery and was specifically designed to accommodate large sculptural pieces in future shows. It’s already become a hive of activity as parents wait for children to finish up in their afterschool classes or adults mingle and chat before or after their tap and salsa rehearsals.

Photos: Shae Huth

Grand opening Schedule
Saturday, March 9

START	END	ACTIVITY
10 am	10:40 am	Art+Tales
10 am	10:40 am	Pokémon Cartooning
10 am	11:30 am	Glass Community Mosaic
10 am	12 pm	New Horizons Orchestra Performance
10 am	10:30 am	Zumba
10 am	10:45 am	Meet the Puppets with Madcap Puppets
10 am	2 pm	Hand Building with Clay
10:10 am	10:40 am	Traditional Yang Style & Sun Style Tai Chi
10:40 am	11:10 am	Flow Workout
10:50 am	11:30 am	3D Paper Collage
10:50 am	11:30 am	Needle Felting
11 am	11:45 am	Highly Improvable Games and Performance
11:20 am	11:50 am	Tap Dance Rhythms for All Ages
11:40 am	12:20 pm	Puppet Making
11:40 am	12:20 pm	Design and Cut a Printing Plate
12 pm	12:30 pm	Pilates
12 pm	2:00 pm	3D Pen Art
12 pm	12:45 pm	Swing Dance Foundations
12:30 pm	1:10 pm	Family Embroidery
12:30 pm	1:10 pm	Tablet Weaving
12:40 pm	1:10 pm	Nia Technique
1 pm	2 pm	Jake Speed & The Freddies
1:15 pm	1:50 pm	Salsa
1 pm	2 pm	“On Becoming an Author”
1:20 pm	2 pm	Stamped and Stiched Bookmarks