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A Central Part of the UAC Mission

Culture is central to UAC’s mission to promote a decent quality of life for urban Appalachians, and thus integrated into all of our programmatic efforts. UAC’s Cultural Philosophy states: “Appalachian cultural heritage is a positive and powerful force, and identification with that heritage by urban Appalachians is a step toward self empowerment and community building, thus improving quality of life.” The Cultural Program enhances the role art and culture play in our community; identifies expectations and directions for that role which contribute to the health and welfare of the community; stimulates awareness and the community's sense of cultural diversity; and, introduces quality Appalachian arts throughout greater Cincinnati.

For more information on UAC cultural programs, please contact us at (513) 251-0202.

UAC's Cultural Calendar

Find out what's happening all over the region. Features music and theater performances, conferences, speakers, craft events, festivals, and more.

Arts Residencies

The purpose of UAC's arts residencies is to guide residents of Cincinnati’s low-income Urban Appalachian neighborhoods in using creative writing, visual arts and storytelling to explore and present the story(ies) of participants’ life journeys- past, present, and future. In doing so, participants will build skills in specific art forms, develop insight into their personal and community history,envision and move toward life goals, build work-related skills, including those in written and oral communication, presentation, and teamwork, and receive positive recognition (internal and external) for work well-done.

Artists who have committed to this project include Pauletta Hansel (writer and lead artist), Omope Carter Daboiku (storyteller) and Pic Michel (visual artist). All are professional artists with Appalachian roots, and have participated in the development of this project.

Community-based partners include East Price Hill Adult Education Center, Lower Price Hill Community School, Lower Price Hill/East Girls Group, Young Mother’s Group, Northside Community School, and Lower Price Hill Women’s Wellness.

Themes for the program year include:

• “Booklearning” vs “Street Smarts”: Perceptions of education in my family, community and own llife
• The state of being a young woman in America (and my community) today
• Women’s Wisdom: Passing it On
• What My Mother Never Told Me
• Exploration and communication of specific community health problems

Final presentations will be planned by participants, artists and UAC staff and will generally take place at the community-based sites used for the workshops.

In the words of a past arts program participant: “There are things that I try to cover up within myself and this (program) gives me the chance to express what is inside. I needed it. Thanks.”

East Price Hill Afterschool French Program

This program was implemented in order to give the community the opportunity to learn about a different language and culture. The students are given the tools needed to understand differences, and the program empowers them with the skills needed to acquire and master basic French language skills. The goal of the program is to ensure students are presented with creative outlets that are positive and lead to personal growth, envision and materialize personal goals, acquire team-working skills as well as personal written and oral communicative skills and to receive positive recognition for their work.

Cultural Resources/Referrals

UAC acts as a liaison between Appalachian artists and the individual or organization. We work to meet individualized needs. UAC has an entire resource of storytellers, crafts people, workshop presenters, artists and musicians. Call (513) 251-0202 for more information.

This program is made possible with generous support from the Ohio Arts Council Arts Partnership Program, the Haile Foundation (Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation) and the City of Cincinnati Small Arts Organization Grant Program.

Creative Writing

Read selections from UAC's anthology, The Story of Our Lives: Writing from Cincinnati's Urban Appalachian Community.