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Oxford Community Arts Center marks 25 years; seeks expansion and infrastructure upgrades
Summary
The Oxford Community Arts Center presented a year-in-review to council, reported strong attendance and program numbers and asked for support as it advances a capital plan that includes upgraded meeting spaces and air conditioning for artist studios.
The Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC) presented its 2024–25 year-in-review to Oxford City Council and accepted a proclamation from Mayor William B. Snavely designating Oct. 29, 2025 as Caroline Scott Harrison Day.
Heidi Schiller, OCAC executive director, told council the nonprofit operates from the historic Oxford Female Institute building and serves artists, instructors and community groups. Schiller said OCAC curated 22 art exhibitions featuring 154 local artists and displaying 695 pieces; its live-performance series presented about 20 shows and engaged roughly 100 regional and national performers, including 88 Ohio residents. OCAC’s signature events drew more than 15,000 in-person participants; the center reported a digital reach of roughly 5,700 followers and about 2,200 newsletter subscribers.
Schiller credited grants from the Ohio Arts Council, the ArtsWave United Fund of Cincinnati, the Greater Oxford Community Foundation and the City of Oxford, plus individual donations, with supporting the center’s activities. She said OCAC received donations from about 260 individuals and businesses over the past year and works with about 30 resident artists.
Schiller reviewed a plan developed with SHP (architectural master plan) to improve meeting space, add meeting-room capacity and install air conditioning on the upper floor to make studios more usable year-round. She said the design-build campaign and philanthropic efforts are under way to implement those improvements.
Mayor Snavely and multiple councilors praised OCAC’s role in the community; one councilor told the assembly that the center is “the heart and soul of the city.” Schiller thanked the city for continued support and said OCAC expects to finish the fiscal year ahead of budget projections through a mix of individual giving, grants and earned revenue.
