How to Visit the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:VisitContemporaryArtsCenterCincinnati
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How to Visit the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati

Introduction

The Contemporary Arts Center, or CAC, is a magnificent 80,000 square foot building in Cincinnati, Ohio. Built in 1939 to showcase contemporary visual arts, the CAC quickly became one of the top institutions of its kind in the country. The Cincinnati landmark is unique in its design and organization, with six floors of galleries intermixed with offices, performance space, shops and a members' room. </p>

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Make the Most of Your Visit

Steps

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Step One

Visit on Monday evenings (5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) for free admission. During the museum's regular hours there is an inexpensive entrance fee. The Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati is closed on Tuesdays and open till 6:00 p.m. all other days.
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Step Two

On Sundays you can participate in free family workshops, where kids and parents can create 3D art, make tennis ball puppets and discover the magic of florescent paint.
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Step Three

Take time to enjoy the building itself, which was designed as a giant three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle, combining blocks of concrete with undulating windows and oddly shaped stairs.
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Step Four

Keep in mind that all exhibits in the museum are temporary (there is no permanent collection per se), so the center is a new place every time you visit. Recent exhibits included "Beyond Green: Toward a Sustainable Art" and "The Paper Sculpture Show."
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Step Five

Explore the whole building (six floors) for a mix of sculpture, painting, photography and active media. Performances are also held at the center throughout the year.
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Step Six

Stop by to enjoy the many events that defy the definition of art. For example, the museum recently organized a talk called "Marketplace of Ideas: Food, Gardens, and Community," about the impact of sustainable living and organic products in our lives.
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Step Seven

Visit the Contemporary Arts Center website to check its Milestones of Contemporary Art, a blog dedicated to help you appreciate and understand art. The blog features posts, videos and podcasts (see Resources below).

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • The UnMuseum?? is located there on the sixth floor has an unique, hands-on permanent exhibition of art you can hear, smell and touch. The interactive installations are perfect for children ages two to 10.
  • Don't miss the opportunity of bringing art into your home. The center's gift shop sells everything from salt and pepper shakers to letter openers, all of which are true works of art. The gift shop also sells items related to current and past exhibits.
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