The Kennedy Heights Arts Center is housed in the former home of Lewis Kennedy, built in 1875. Kennedy developed the community of Kennedy Heights and served as its mayor before the area was annexed by Cincinnati.

The gothic-style, wood-frame building sits on 2.3 acres in the heart of Kennedy Heights, adjacent to Pleasant Ridge and Silverton.

In 2003, developers had threatened to bulldoze the 21-room historic landmark at 6546 Montgomery Road for a storage facility.

Area residents quickly organized to save the building. They formed a nonprofit corporation and the city of Cincinnati contributed $50,000 toward the acquisition of the property. 40 neighbors personally pledged collateral to make the acquisition possible.

Kennedy Heights Arts Center was established by the community  to create a public resource for the creation of art. One person's dream has become the inspiration of many - literally hundreds of people have helped transform this formerly distressed property into a thriving community arts center.

Initially all volunteer-run, the Arts Center hired its first executive director in 2008.

Our vision is to be the anchor of an increasingly vibrant, diverse, inclusive and creative community.

The mission of Kennedy Heights Arts Center is to enhance the life of the surrounding community through arts and cultural experiences that embrace diversity, foster creativity and build community.

The Arts Center strives to produce high-quality, innovative art exhibitions and programs that:

• Promote community interaction across generations and all cultural and economic groups
• Spark community dialogue
• Provide a venue where artists are nurtured and connect with each other and the community
• Create opportunities for joyful discovery and collaboration, and
• Make the arts affordable and accessible to everyone.