Arts groups, festivals and workforce programs urge Cincinnati to fund creative economy and neighborhood initiatives

At a Cincinnati City Council Budget & Finance Committee public hearing, artists, festival organizers, chambers of commerce and neighborhood advocates urged the council to protect and expand public support for arts, festivals, creative workforce training and neighborhood programs as the city develops its FY2027 budget.

Jens Rosenkrantz, who runs a small nonprofit gallery at Peloton Arts Center, framed his remarks around the arts’ economic return, citing a 2024 ArtsWave and Cincinnati Regional Chamber report that he said found the regional arts sector produced about $1.6 billion in economic impact from 2019–2022 and supports roughly 6,500 jobs. “I’m not here to advocate for any single art organization, but for all the arts as a whole,” he said.

Joe Santangelo, producer of the Cincinnati Music Festival, told the committee the festival — operating since 1962 aside from years lost to civil unrest and the pandemic — has “never received any direct financial support from the City of Cincinnati” and stressed the event’s regional draw and economic effects. Several other speakers, including Tabitha Anderson and Marvin Butts, reinforced the festival’s community role and economic footprint.

Eric Kearney, president of the African American Chamber of Commerce, asked the council for a $400,000 allotment to mark the Chamber’s 30th anniversary, citing a Chamber‑commissioned study he summarized as a $2.8 billion annual regional economic impact and noting the Chamber’s contribution to the city’s earnings tax base and employment. Gregory Parker, the Chamber’s director of membership services, said the organization helps Black‑owned businesses connect to major projects but that procurement and capacity barriers persist.

Several presenters asked the city to fund youth workforce pathways in the creative industries. Sansere Frasier, board president of the Midwest Apparel Creatives (MAC) Foundation, and Myra Walker described the CP3 program, which they said provides skills training, mentorship and industry connections that can lead to local small‑batch manufacturing and job creation. Shaquille Riston (MAC treasurer) and Amber Slott (MAC board member) reiterated that CP3 aims to retain local talent and support violence‑prevention through engagement.

Neighborhood leaders and residents urged the committee to protect and tailor neighborhood investments. Greg Robinson, executive director of Price Hill Will, asked council to prioritize neighborhood‑level programs such as NBDIP and NCCIP so investments reflect local needs; Amber Castle called for an “office of efficacy” to track neighborhood spending and proposed adjusting Neighborhood Support Program (NSP) allocations for inflation and neighborhood scale.

A Clifton resident raised concerns about a proposed Clifton Avenue bus rapid transit station, saying the proposed stop sits on a six‑lane section that “feels like a highway” and warning that some BRT stations may see depressed ridership unless the city invests in making station areas safe and attractive.

Speakers generally tied their requests to the budget timeline Dr. Dutis had presented: leverage‑support applications opened March 2 and close April 10, and award notifications for the FY2027 funding period are scheduled during the upcoming year. The hearing passed no funding decisions; commenters asked the council and administration to reflect these priorities in the budget policy motion and upcoming department requests.