All of us here at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center are delighted to announce a $1 million leadership gift for the first phase of renovations to the historic Clifton School, and a $250,000 capital grant from the City of Cincinnati. These remarkable investments – from an anonymous donor and from the City’s 2009 Capital Budget – combine with $250,000 from the State of Ohio to allow us to move forward with renovations.

The first phase ofthe Clifton School renovation will make the building fully accessible and code compliant by adding a fire protection system, secured lobby entrance and an elevator to the building. Renovations will allow use of the spectacular auditorium, music rooms and other classrooms on the top floor of the building.

“We are deeply grateful to this anonymous donor, the City of Cincinnati and the State of Ohio for investing in the preservation of the Clifton School as an asset that will serve the entire community through arts and cultural programming,” said Cindy Herrick, Board President of CCAC. “Particularly in this challenging economic climate, the leadership and commitment of these funders are truly incredible, and will provide invaluable momentum to move this ambitious project forward.”

We are so grateful to all of you who have invested in CCAC as volunteers, donors, partners and supporters, and are thrilled to share this news with you. We anticipate construction will begin in fall 2009, and will be complete by June 2010.

Even with these remarkable investments, we still need your help. These gifts are restricted to our renovation projects, and the operating expenses for the school – to pay the heat, turn on the lights and continue our great programming – will only be possible with the continued support of friends like you.

We look forward to keeping you up to date about our renovations and our work to build a thriving arts hub to serve the community.

With much dancing and celebration,

The CCAC Board of Directors