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A Guide to Cincinnati’s Art Galleries, Museums and Exhibits

Art enthusiasts looking to view, experience or purchase art have abundant opportunities to do so in Cincinnati, OH. From various neighborhoods and locations throughout the city, Cincinnati art galleries, exhibits, markets and more are likely just minutes away. This guide includes several popular options in the city that you might want to explore.

Cincinnati’s Art Galleries, Museums and Exhibits

From its celebrated art museums and nationally-recognized public murals to the numerous galleries and outdoor art events, Cincinnati is known for its incredible art, as well as its music, food and parks. In addition to attending various exhibits and immersive art experiences, residents and visitors alike can shop for a wide range of art pieces at the many Cincinnati art galleries and markets around the city. Here is a list of several indoor and outdoor art opportunities in Cincinnati:

Historic Cincinnati Art Museums

1. Cincinnati Art Museum: In operation for over a century, the Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest of its kind in the country and features over 70,000 works of art across thousands of years. In addition to the vast timeline of its pieces, the collection includes works from many different continents and showcases diverse artistic mediums. Multiple special exhibits often run simultaneously, and there are many events for people of all ages, like Games in the Galleries!
2. Taft Museum of Art: The building in which this museum’s collection is housed was built in the early 1800s and is the oldest wooden residence in downtown Cincinnati that remains in its original location. Both the house and the Duncanson landscape murals painted in it are National Historic landmarks. In addition to exploring this museum’s collection of hundreds of objects in person, the majority of these pieces can also be viewed online!
3. Contemporary Arts Center: For over 80 years, the exhibitions at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati have continuously changed in order to showcase contemporary artists and their work. Don’t miss the interactive art experiences at the Creativity Center and UnMuseum® or the Community Gallery, which features a rotating display of community art work.

Popular Cincinnati Art Galleries

1. Weston Art Gallery: Located in downtown Cincinnati in the Aronoff Center, you can explore the current exhibitions in this gallery and other activities and attractions in the area, like shows taking place in the same building or the current offerings at the Contemporary Arts Center just around the corner! Younger art enthusiasts and their families may be interested in the Families Create! Workshops. During these workshops, attendees will explore the gallery, enjoy talks and tours, create art and even meet the artists whose work is currently being shown!
2. Pendleton Art Center: Interested in buying original art pieces? Explore the works of more than 200 Pendleton Art Center artists or plan to attend a Final Friday event at the Cincinnati location. On the last Friday of each month, the studios at this complex are open to the public! The works of many artists can also be viewed in the online shop.
3. Cincinnati Art Galleries: Located north of Smale Riverfront Park and between the Contemporary Arts Center and the Taft Museum of Art is the Cincinnati Art Galleries. For over 40 years, this fine art gallery has been known for its American and European paintings spanning the past two centuries, as well as a select group of contemporary artists. Preview the current exhibition or the art of interest via the provided inventory, such as the gallery artists.

Outdoor Art Exhibits

1. Artworks’ Public Art: In the Readers’ Choice Awards at USA Today, Cincinnati frequently ranks in the top 10 cities for street art in the country, often in one of the top two spots. View this comprehensive mural list to plan your own outdoor art adventure or consider taking a guided ArtWorks Mural Tour (and get some steps in for the day!).
2. Art Climb at the Cincinnati Art Museum: In addition to all that the museum has to offer inside, the outdoor Art Climb includes several sculptures and an incredible view of the city. Both this experience and the museum itself are located in Eden Park. In this park and in many others throughout the city, you’ll also find more art to see, as highlighted in this guide to the art and architecture at Cincinnati Parks.
3. BLINK: This four-day, public light and art event is free and takes over more than 30 city blocks, which are located in Cincinnati as well as in Northern Kentucky. Occurring every other year since 2017, there are a variety of experiences to enjoy during this weekend celebration, including live entertainment and performances, murals and projection installations, and more!

Cincinnati’s art galleries and museums, as well as its many art-focused events and experiences, are yet another reason that Cincinnati is such a good place to live. If you want to find an apartment that offers easy access to these opportunities and many more, our leasing agents are here to help. Contact our team today!