Cincinnati’s public art is getting some national love after the city was voted the best in the country for street art.
Cincinnati took home the No. 1 spot in USA Today’s 10Best Cities for Street Art 2024 reader poll. Over four weeks, the public was able to vote on their favorite street art from a list of 20 cities that was curated by a panel of experts, including USA Today editors, 10Best.com editors and influential contributors. This was Cincinnati’s fourth consecutive appearance in the category and the first time it’s placed No. 1.
Cincinnati arts organization ArtWorks is a driving force behind the city’s street art, responsible for more than 300 outdoor murals. The organization says since its inception in 1996, it has championed community-based public art and offered the city as a canvas for artists of all ages to showcase their talents.
“Being the No. 1 city for street art is a testament to ArtWorks’ longstanding commitment to prioritizing community-based partnerships, listening to community voices, hiring local artists, celebrating heritage and elevating civic pride,” Colleen Houston, Artworks’ CEO and artistic director, said in a news release. “Our process is just as important as these gorgeous works of art, which have forever changed our city. This award celebrates all who have been involved, from youth artists, professional artists, building owners, community councils, nonprofit partners and the City of Cincinnati. Together with you, we celebrate the vibrant cultural landscape that defines our city and look forward to continuing to co-create a brighter future.”
In September, Houston attended the first National Street Art Summit in Detroit. The summit brought together arts leaders from the 2023 10Best top 10 cities for street art to discuss the rising mural movement, city initiatives to encourage mural art, mutual learning opportunities and ideas for supporting artists. Plans for the second-annual summit are currently underway.
Despite the accolades, Artworks says it’s not slowing down, with dozens of projects coming this spring and summer.
“As Cincinnati basks in the spotlight of this well-deserved accolade, the city’s streets continue to evolve into a living, breathing gallery, captivating locals and visitors alike,” the organization said in the release.
ArtWorks is also staying busy helping organize BLINK 2024, a four-day arts and lights festival, which will return Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 17-20. A culmination celebrating the city’s street art, BLINK will span 30 city blocks through Over-the-Rhine, downtown Cincinnati and Covington. Attendees can once again expect art to be brought to life through projection mapping, light-based installations and vibrant murals. You can learn more about BLINK here.
The top 10 cities for best street art, according to 10Best voters are:
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Richmond, Virginia
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Detroit, Michigan
- Portland, Oregon
- Miami, Florida
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Washington, D.C.
- New York City, New York
More info on ArtWorks: artworkscincinnati.org.
