It used to be free, but now has an adult admission of $12. Kids and SNAP/EBT are still free.

This was... interesting. Contemporary art is usually quite political and the messages the artists are trying to share usually go over my head. And that was the case here with much of the artwork. And yet, there were a number of pieces that I did enjoy. And certainly the venue is tremendous. As it's free, I would recommend you visit. You might get more out of it than I did. [Review 20496 overall - 223 in Ohio - 1477 of 2023.] read more

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We very much enjoyed our is it to the Contemporary Arts Center. It is located appropriately close to 21C, where we stayed for a week during my big birthday. They were working on updating displays on the upper floor, so our visit in August 2022 was somewhat limited. It was nonetheless, a very worthwhile visit. CAC is a gem everyone in Cincinnati should check out at least once. And given the exhibits change, it's probably best to go back every now and then. You might want to check in advance to make sure they are not between exhibits. Cincinnati really is full of culture and CAC holds a solid place among the many museums and exhibits in the Greater Cincinnati area. read more

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Have you checked out the new Creativity Center on the 6th floor of the Cincy CAC? It's a fun, interactive play space for kids of all ages (although personally I think better equipped for kids over 2). Selah loved crawling through tunnels, watching the screens and lights, and playing in the bowl of ravioli They also have board books for younger kids and more hands on exhibits for older kids. read more

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Vibe: Culture while in Cincinnati Price: Free!! Parking: unknown, I walked here I'm always up for art of any kind, but especially contemporary. This sparse museum contained several floors but each possessed little. But for what I paid to enter, it was worth every penny. The top floor has a cool space for the kiddos to create and explore. I love how colorful things were there. Bright and cheerful and inviting. read more

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First of all the "Let It Glow" outdoor holiday event which is now free to members and nonmembers is a bit of a disappointment unless you are there when they are open at night. That being said as members we enjoyed the special exhibit of the talented staff of the Cincinnati Art Museum who have artistic gifts we weren't aware of. Many of these people are in positions that are not related to art itself. Let's not forget the free permanent exhibits that are exceptional. Free parking and if you are a member the Ansel Adams exhibit is free. Located in beautiful Eden Park it's a can't miss opportunity. read more

Contemporary Arts Center - Cincinnati Art Museum decorated for the holidays. - Art Museums Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Creativity Center review: The brand new Creativity Center is a dream for local parents! With children involvement as the top priority, CAC has designed several interactive art features for a fully immersive experience. The grand elevator opens up to a whimsical wonderland of funky colors, shapes and designs. It is an open invitation to fun! The art is intended to be taken off shelves and manipulated into whatever a child's imagination leads them to. Sights and sounds throughout the CC provide a stimulating sensory experience for children and adults alike. Put a record on the record machine and mix some tunes or lay in a bowl of ravioli... the fun is endless! read more

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What an interesting center, lots of unique pieces that you can tell where created w/lots of emotion behind them. I thought the children center on the top floor was a great addition, we saw kids really enjoying the space - it's good to see that it's being used well! I love how they really spotlight artist of color and provide a safe place for them to express themselves w/out judgement! I would love to come back b/c I know their will be even more mind blowing art to see! read more

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The concept of this center is pretty cool but unfortunately during our visit only two levels were open. They have free admission to view the art. The top floor was their creativity room and seems to be geared towards kids and they have a little art studio and a little kitchen for them to play in. The only other open floor was the second level and they have a few pieces of art their with a photography concept at the time of our visit. I actually really enjoyed that exhibit. I would have liked to see what other things they had. read more

Contemporary Arts Center - Art Museums Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This is a majestic downtown building which houses several floors of art exhibits, plus an upscale cafe on the first floor that looked nice. It is free to enter, and I was able to wander unimpeded through the galleries. It was a very avante garde modern set of exhibits, which I wasn't overly intrigued by, but of course these things do rotate. As a space for art, it has plenty to offer. The collection certainly isn't anywhere near what you'd get at the Cincinnati Art Museum, but if you don't want to climb the hill to get there, this is an easy place to get to from the streetcar. read more

Contemporary Arts Center - Art Museums Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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There are a few places in Cincinnati that are must-visits every time you're in this city. This museum is one of those places. I've been a few times now and I always enjoy myself here. This museum is somehow free. It's in a fancy building in downtown Cincinnati. The top floor is full of things you can touch and play with. Honestly, it's mostly for kids but there is one reason to go up there. Sitting next to the Shark girl is a must. The lower floors are where the bulk of the art is. I'm not sure how often they rotate exhibits but they're always interesting. The collection isn't large like other museums but every piece is always interesting. No room for the lazy here. It's easy to visit downtown Cincy, have brunch, and visit the museums in the area. So stop missing out and visit this place! read more

Contemporary Arts Center - Do you want to take a trip to another dimension? - Art Museums Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

The CAC was in the midst of changing out exhibitions during my visit so only one floor was open. While that would typically be discouraging, one floor was more than enough to digest the exhibitions featuring the work of Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum and Saya Woolfalk. Ms. Woolfalk mixed race heritage influences this installation that tackles race and gender employing colorfully-decorated mannequins, video and technology. It's a wonder and often playful scene for the eyes. I found Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum's exhibition the more penetrating. My favorite is her large-scale wall mural titled 'All my seven faces' that enveloped me with her likeness repeated as a line drawing throughout the high-ceilinged space. It was not unlike standing inside an ancient ruin viewing a Mexican mural mashup. Even when I visit CAC and dislike what I see, I am still provoked and never bored. On this one-floor journey, I was delighted. read more

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A city with a free art museum has to be applauded. Cincinnati is such a place. Their CAC is a generous space that qualifies as art itself. It is fully equipped with six themed floors there connected by innovative stairwells and a couple of elevators, one of which is HUGE. Exhibits feature an array of media from fabric arts to cinematic gems. The topics cover the glorious gamut of nature, diverse cultures, edgy environments and interactive features in the top floor that are delightful for the Littles as well as their parents and grands. Go, just GO! For me the time (and my imagination) just flew! read more

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Being from Buffalo and having our own Shark girl I had to visit her sister in Cincy! I was pleasantly surprised to find out this museum is free to the public. It has (I think) 4 floors of different kinds of modern art and each floor has its own type of theme. Of course my favorite exhibit was Shark girl which was in the top floor with a ton of other interactive pieces. I highly recommend visiting! read more

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A very nice, smallish place that is definitely worth seeing. When we were there, only a few exhibits were available as they were getting ready for a few new exhibits to debut, but I still really enjoyed everything on display. The building itself is gorgeous and has so many interesting design elements. "Cincinnati Swing" - the swinging lights - are beautiful. And like the Broad in LA, this museum is free! Parking is tough though. Lovely little cafe on the ground floor. And a small "shop" area as well. read more

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I can't believe this place is free! At least it was the 1st week of March 2020. This was a week or so before "covid" spiraled out of control. Came to Cincinnati for a conference and saw that Vhils (sculptor/street artist) had an exhibit at CAC; decided to pop in. It's cool because his stuff is usually on the street. There was other art and different video clips throughout that were really interesting as well. It's a small gallery/art center, but powerful. This place makes you think and do a double take. This was my first time in Cincinnati and CAC, and thought this place was awesome! read more

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Cincinnati has been a politically conservative city. Someone asked Mark Twain what he would do if the world ended tomorrow. He said he would move to Cincinnati because things there are always 20 years behind. Cincinnati is catching up quickly. It is the next Detroit, and cheaper than Detroit today. For all its faults, 3CDC players were desperate for programmers and creatives, so they made it happen where previous organic approaches failed. The culture wars postulate that the line between art and non-art is as easy to draw. That would be easy to draw between banned and not banned. My theory is different: aesthetics are tribal. But not all tribes are the same. An all grey sea of society would be boring. And there is no point in ridiculing another tribe's aesthetics or defining yourself in contrast to that other tribe's aesthetics. So what is the purpose of contemporary art? It is to see or experience and make your own judgement. But the more you see, the more you expand your creativity. Each work, and each artist, has a story too. It is not necessary to understand each artwork, it's more a mix of visual beauty and intuition. So it's perfectly OK for you to not like it. I have plenty I don't care for. There are plenty of itinerant art shows, events and artist DIY venues. We have a respected art school at UC. The Contemporary Art Center is Cincinnati's contemporary art window on the world. Its aesthetics tribe is art school art and art, art found in contemporary galleries, and art shown around the world in other contemporary art museums. read more

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Contemporary Art Center! This museum has some really amazing and unique art exhibits. Additionally, the Contemporary Art Center also hosts performance art and crafts as well. This information is on their website calendar. One of the other unique areas if the CAC is the "UnMuseum" on the top floor. It's a museum where children and adults can interact with the art. I know...it's the dream...a museum where you can touch and interact with all the art. This is a great draw and a wonderful opportunity to introduce kids to contemporary art and the museum. There is also a great cafe, Melt, in the lobby as well as a small gift shop. Oh! And the best part? Admission is free to the museum! read more

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I love contemporary art, and I love this museum. There's FREE admission every day. Usually, I take an hour to an hour and half to get through the entire museum. They change out exhibits often, and there are always amazing things to see. The highest floor contains a fun, interactive area for kids and adults. I stop by this museum every time I visit Cincinnati. It's a great way to spend an afternoon. This museum complements the also-free Cincinnati Art Museum. See the old and the new. read more

Contemporary Arts Center - Art Museums Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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It's really tough to beat free experiences, but especially when you're talking about high quality art. A visit to the CAC is guaranteed to leave you inspired in some way, by at least some thing, inside it's walls. Featuring installations of every medium and method, with a range of tones and emotional effects. The staff, facilities, and exhibits are all excellent, because they're well maintained by people who care, and you can tell. Come in, check it out, and be thankful for the time. read more

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I miss the Contemporary Arts Center. Their website says they are currently closed, but there was also some conflicting information, so be sure to contact them prior to popping in via covid. As soon as this pandemic ends, I cannot wait to come back here. Some people hate contemporary art... for me, it's my favorite. I love how weird it is. So much of it makes absolutely no sense, yet feels wildly imaginative... I can get behind that kind of energy. I've always found it to not be too crowded and it gives you plenty of space to just stop and stare at whatever exhibit strikes your fancy. Even the "unmuseum" on the top floor (aimed at younger audiences) has some really enjoyable elements to see as adults. It's very interactive, so after covid, definite;y bring your kiddos up there. Best of all, the Museum is/was FREE to visit - HOW COOL IS THAT?!? Everything about this place is so aesthetically, I can't wait for the next opportunity I have to come back. Lots of virtual love to the CAC team in these tough times! read more

The Unmuseum is located on the top floor of CAC and is an interactive exhibit that is great for families - you can see, touch, and hear everything hear (unlike most museum settings!). And take a super HUGE elevator to the top. Both the UnMuseum and CAC have free admission!  We took a glance around a few of the CAC floors, being a Friday morning it felt like we had a lot of the place to ourselves!  A few of the floors of the CAC were being remodeled so they were not opened to the public. The UnMuseum exhibits are great for kids and adults alike, and especially a great exhibit for those with special needs. It's small but has a pretty open space. There is also a section with tables and chairs for class, art sessions, and families to hang out. read more

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I. Love. Museums. Love love love. I was in the area for brunch with family, and the CAC is free to visit. So we went over after eating to peruse the contemporary art. The Glenn Brown exhibit was beautiful and interesting. I really enjoyed the whole thing. On the 3rd and 4th floors was a photography exhibit that wasn't exactly my thing, but was certainly interesting. And the Unmuseum on the top floor was fun for my immature heart. This is the stuff you can touch, sit in, sit on, climb about. I had a great time! You can't beat free, modern art! You should 100% visit here if you are close by! If they exhibits aren't your kind of thing....you aren't out any money, and it isn't so large a space that it will eat up your whole day! Go here!! read more

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This weeks version of "Get your art on" was "After The Moment: Reflections on Robert Mapplethorpe." I'm still not sure how I feel about this. 2015 is the 25th Anniversary of the CAC's exhibit "The Perfect Moment" - where lawsuits abounded on art versus ponography and which is which. Not surprised the photos were graphic. But do I really need to see a blown up penis in that kind of detail - what is the point? It wasn't the background. And those of you who know me know I'm anything but a prude, but I found many of these images disturbing. While there was a "Mature audience" warning I have to say I was surprised at the kids there. Not 16 years old boys (which were barred from the original exhibits) but 6 and 7 year old kids all dressed up for a family outing and when several little girls said something like "and there it is again" their father told them they "could deal with it." Of course they can deal with it...but why should they? It is though provoking about how far we've come in 25 years. You can see much worse than this anywhere - just do an internet search. I needed an adult beverage when we were done...and to get it we walked by the nude Jackie Kennedy Onassis exhibit at the 21C Musuem Hotel. Somehow that didn't bother me as much...at least there was some humor involved. Although in reality it was a huge violation of personal rights. So it should bother me more...right? Anyway, I'm still struggling with my feeling on this, but there is no way I would take young children knowing how controversial this "art" is. But that's just me. read more

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The Contemporary Arts Center is located in the heart of Cincinnati -- right across from the Aronoff and next store to the hotel/restaurant of the 21C Hotel. It's a great place to check out some art and see the exhibits. There is a small cafe downstairs at the CAC called the Melt. I have attended a wedding reception there! It was a perfect spot for this venue, as the guests could check out the exhibits before having dinner. The bride entered down the large stairs/escalator -- perfect touch! Check out the exhibits and their website often - as things do change within the art museum. There is parking right around the CAC, as it is close to Fountain Square. read more

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They were in between exhibits when I came here and the space is still beautiful but some of the exhibits were not as compelling as I was hoping for in a contemporary space. read more

Location: Downtown Cincinnati! Very walkable if you're staying in the downtown core, and probably a 20-minute walk from OTR. The place: My main purpose in coming here was to see Swoon's exhibit, The Canyon, which runs until February, if I'm not mistaken. That said, there are other exhibits to see, including those that feature local talent. The space is vast, spacious, and the works are spread out nicely so that if there are groups, I don't think you would feel like a sardine. The goods: Well, I've basically summarized things above. That said, if you're in the area and have a chance to see Swoon's exhibit, DO IT. Swoon is a well-known, socially conscious street artist who mainly works with wheat pastes. The level of detail and meaning in her work is outstanding and this exhibit is no different. Well actually, it is - it's outstanding and blew me away. So much so that I plan to go back if time permits. Service: Great - the ladies working at reception are friendly and happy to offer up info and tips. Price point: Free! But they happily accept donations so don't be shy - he'll support the arts. read more

Stumbled upon this museum as I was walking around downtown. Very cool exterior and lobby. The gift shop was tiny but the front desk was friendly and helpful. There are no food or drinks allowed within the museum itself (floors 2-6), so she informed me and held my iced coffee for me at the front desk. Entrance is free for the public! Unfortunately floors 3-4 were closed for reinstallation, but floors 2 and 6 were still ready for viewing. I walked up the stairs and viewed the small, buy interesting array of art. From there, I took the escalator up to the 6th floor. This floor was very interesting because it was interactive. Almost everything in there you could touch! I noticed some street parking and lots of parking structures nearby as well. My trip to the museum was short but very much enjoyable. The only reason it fell short one star was because displays 3-4 were not opened. Maybe next time! read more

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So I finally had the opportunity to visit CAC to take in the Robert Colescott exhibit, Art and Race Maters: The Career of Robert Colescott. We were met by our amazing docent that led us through the exhibit imploring us to look deeper into the work to find its true meaning. The amazing colors and stories depicted were jarring, beautiful, unsettling and absolutely amazing. And the CAC did an awesome job in bringing this to life. The best part... the museum is free to the public. read more

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My wife and I stopped in here while on vacation a few months back and had a great time. I never know exactly what to expect in a museum like this, but this more than exceeded my expectations. A few of my favorite exhibits included a phone where you were able to call in and record your hopes and dreams (or play back others recordings), a video exhibition showing the travel (life?) cycle of a desert coyote, and a fully emersive room that made it feel like you were staring down the business end of a black panther. read more

This is an amazing museum that has really interesting and thought provoking exhibits. The current features exhibit is called Breaking Water and talks about environmental issues from a feminist point of view. Overall it was a great stop on our trip and I'm so glad that we stopped by. read more

Contemporary Arts Center - Taken at the homelessness exhibit. - Art Museums Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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This is always a cool place to check out. For one it's free admission so that's a good start. They cater to children as you would expect so there's a lot of hands on exhibits. They have a coffee shop with donuts and such which I haven't gotten anything at yet but looks good enough. There's always a lot of changing of exhibits so even if you go on a monthly basis you'll see something different although it does mean area's will be closed off intermittently. All in all there are a few different floors of cool things to see and definitely worth checking out. read more

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Definitely one of the coolest art museums I've been to! We only had an hour to go through the whole museum before it closed, but so glad I found this place! I would recommend to anyone that loves art or is just looking for a fun relaxing evening with friends or family! - Interactive and unique artwork (keeps kids entertained) - A lot of great photography and 'instagram' opportunities! - Coffee & a lil shop downstairs - 4 floors of art read more

Excellent gallery. The layout was super easy to navigate. Their descriptions are thorough but concise. Really loved the featured artist! I'm a sucker for large installations did not let down! There is a nice cafe and cocktail bar on the ground level. We missed it considering COVID and all but once things are back to normal, this would be a go to Friday night or Saturday morning stop for me. read more

I'm reviewing the coffee shop inside the CAC... Which is awesome. Friendly quick service with awesome coffee mugs to boot (see photo). Contemporary atmosphere and lots of seating with outlets at the table to charge your computer, phone, etc with. RE: the CAC, I've been here for a NYE event and it was wonderfully ran with a very cool atmosphere. read more

Contemporary Arts Center - Cinti, OH coffee mugs - Art Museums Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Super cool art museum downtown right by Fountain Square! It's free to go through and there are 5 floors of different exhibits. I really liked the top floor since is the "Unmuseum" where you get to interact with and touch the art up there, which was really cool because you don't normally get to touch art in museums! They change out their art every so often and the exhibits they have now are super cool and thought-provoking. read more

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This is my favorite museum in the area. This museum brings world renown artists to the area. And general admission is free. The building was designed by Zaha Hadid and is a work of art in itself. The art is always amazing and thought provoking. If contemporary art isn't your jam, step outside of your comfort zone and check it out anyway. It's worth it. read more

The CAC has become a Cincinnati staple. If you like modern art there is no where better to go in Cincy than the CAC. The great thing about the CAC is that their collection is constantly changing, so it would be feasible that you could go multiple times in a year and see completely different art work - so cool! Their top floor is an interactive area that both kids and big kids (adults) can enjoy exploring. The building itself is modern and filled with light, too, making it an inviting center to visit. read more

Contemporary Arts Center - Art Museums Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Free on Mondays after five! Like it or not, this building is of architectural note. This is the first building in America designed by an Iraqi-born architect: Zaha Hadid. Personally, I find the building to be visually interesting particularly from the exterior. On the other hand, I'm not sure all the crazy angles and generally stark quality make for the most functional art museum. There always seems to be some strange angular closet-esque blank spaces devoid of art no matter what the current exhibits include, and I always feel like I miss a room because I can't find my way to it. It is fun to see everyday people discussing Architecture. The current exhibit on video media is very cool. I particularly like the extended look into the world of music videos including some very interesting Gondry artifacts and an unusual interactive video section. I thought the lack of Spike Jonze representation was a missed opportunity though. The exhibit will remain current for most of the summer, but don't waste time, go check it out! read more

Great show going on right now if you have not seen it. They have great programs for families with kids. What a great way to introduce a young mind to art. It's free so you have no reason not to head down and look at some amazing contemporary art installations. The 2nd floor with the fabric you can't tell if it's destruction or construction. But head up to the 4 floor for for some amazing frantic construction. read more

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