ArtsWave Vice President of Marketing and Engagement

ArtsWave is an organization that goes back to the year 1927 and is still making an impact on today’s community, even during a pandemic. Located at 20 East Central Parkway, the nonprofit supports many organizations and projects through impact-based grants, something that has become even more important as arts organizations work to stay afloat during COVID-19. We spoke with Kathy DeBrosse, vice president of Marketing and Engagement, about the framework of the organization, the importance of donating to the arts and ways people can show their support.

What is ArtsWave?

ArtsWave is the engine for the arts and our vision is that the Cincinnati region rises to impact the arts. We are the ones behind the scenes. Cincinnati is unique and has strong funding that has been driven through the community. Each of us decides to support the arts and we do this through a United Arts Fund, which has become the ArtsWave community campaign. We kick off the campaign traditionally in February and run it for a quarter. Besides fundraising for the arts, we also advocate for the arts. ArtsWave is administering funds that organizations received. For example, a Friday concert that took place in Washington Park, we also administered funds for that event. We believe the arts can connect us as a community and the arts can make the region vibrant, whether it is through funding, services or advocacy.

Why is it important to donate to the arts?

It is important to donate to the arts because it connects us and keeps our city vibrant. Art is essential to our children and the next generation. It is essential to the creativity that we have in the region. We’ve got all of these projects and organizations that ArtsWave funds in a year and these organizations are going out into the schools and other educational programs. That is so critical to our youth and our next generation. It is also critical to recruitment and retention of our young professionals. For example, I have to think about a place to live. Do I want to be in a place that has art or not? I would be choosing the place that has different types of art and events.

In what ways can people support ArtsWave?

Some of the ways people can support ArtsWave is by making a donation, which will go to 100 or more projects and organizations, which people can do by going to artswave.org/give. Another way that people can support the arts is by being involved in the arts, for example, attending a show or concert. When attending, individuals will have to show proof of vaccination and, if not vaccinated, then masks are required. Lastly, another way people can support is by sharing the arts on social media.