Contemporary Arts Centre - serving the community as a platform for contemporary issues by Pushpitha Wijesinghe

A centre that focuses on shared experiences and an open door culture for any one to experience contemporary art is the Contemporary Arts Centre (CAC) in Cincinnati. The CAC was established in 1939 and for 70 years since then it has been in the forefront of exhibiting contemporary art. The Institution was the fore sight of three local women, and today it has the recognition of all those in the international arena of the art world, having been the first centre in America to solely exhibit works of contemporary art.

When Picasso's Guernica was completed in 1937 and was being toured from 1939 to 1952, the institution became the first one in 1940 to have that piece on display. True to this first tradition the establishment still continues to exhibit famous contemporary artistes. The CAC has featured the works of artistes such as Nam June Paik, I.M. Pei, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, and Andy Warhol as well as Laurie Anderson.

True to its radical motto in 1990 the institution was involved in a legal case which defended the right of the city's residents to be able to view the photographs of Robert Mapplethorpe that were being exhibited at that time.

The CAC promotes growth in the artistic spheres of sculpture, painting, photography, architecture and even performance art. While the centre does not collect works of contemporary art they are focused solely on introducing up and coming artistes to audiences that comprise of those from varied walks of life.

What a better way to end a day of contemporary art than to stay at a Cincinnati Hotel such as the Millennium Hotel Cincinnati. This hotel is positioned to nearby points of interest such as the Great American Ball Park, the Paul Brown Stadium and the Cincinnati Zoo. Guests could enjoy beautiful city views from the rooftop pool and sun deck.