Currents of Culture

This October, ArtsWave is proving that art isn’t just something you watch. It’s something you live. As part of its ambitious More Arts, More Kids initiative, nearly 3,000 sixth graders from Cincinnati Public Schools will fill Aronoff Center for the Arts for an unforgettable performance of “Sounds of the River.”

This immersive production, created by Learning Through Art, Inc. and executive producer Kathy Wade, will launch the 2025–26 More Arts, More Kids season and serve as a kick-off to America’s River Roots Festival. For one day, every CPS sixth grader will share the same stage, the same story, and the same sense of belonging.

Learn more about ArtsWave’s initiatives.

A River of Sound Becomes a Shared Story

“Sounds of the River” is more than a concert. It’s an exploration of how rivers shape culture, movement, and music. Inspired by the Ohio River and other great American waterways, the performance blends live music, storytelling, and history to celebrate the ways these currents have carried people, songs, and traditions across time.

The show stems from the Emmy® Award-winning Books Alive! For Kids® performing arts literacy program, which has been introducing students to powerful narratives for years. This new production will premiere in Cincinnati before becoming part of a national curriculum, allowing classrooms across the country to experience the river’s story.

Following the Aronoff premiere, an outdoor concert version will be staged at Yeatman’s Cove Park during America’s River Roots Festival, bridging the classroom with the community.

Equal Access to the Arts Becomes a Reality

When ArtsWave launched More Arts, More Kids in 2023, the goal was clear: ensure that every child in Greater Cincinnati has access to meaningful arts experiences—without cost being a barrier. By underwriting transportation, tickets, and production costs, the initiative removes the structural hurdles that often keep students from cultural spaces.

This year alone, More Arts, More Kids will reach 15,000 students across the region. The “Sounds of the River” event is a milestone moment, uniting every sixth grader in the district under one roof. For many, this will be their first professional arts experience. For all, it will be a shared cultural touchstone they’ll carry forward.

The Ohio River Connects Past and Future

The Ohio River isn’t just part of Cincinnati’s landscape. It’s part of its story. By connecting students to the river through music and history, “Sounds of the River” fosters civic pride and cultural understanding. It places young Cincinnatians in the flow of their city’s heritage, reminding them that their home has always been a gathering place for stories and song.

It’s not just about what they’ll hear on stage. It’s about what they’ll remember long after the curtain falls.

Arts Investment Strengthens the Local Economy

The impact of programs like this extends beyond the stage. ArtsWave’s investment fuels local arts organizations, keeps venues like the Aronoff vibrant, and supports artists, musicians, and production teams.

When thousands of students and teachers fill downtown, local restaurants, cafes, and businesses feel the ripple effect. Arts engagement isn’t just good for the soul—it’s good for the city’s economy.

And as part of the larger America’s River Roots Festival running October 8–12, this event helps anchor a week of cultural activity that celebrates the river’s role as both a cultural thread and a living ecosystem.

Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Cultural Stewards

The More Arts, More Kids initiative is planting seeds. A sixth grader sitting in the Aronoff today could grow into tomorrow’s artist, supporter, or community leader. These shared cultural experiences nurture empathy, inspire creativity, and build a more connected community.

Access to the arts is a powerful equalizer. By guaranteeing that every CPS sixth grader gets to experience a live performance, Cincinnati is shaping a future where art isn’t a luxury for some but a right for all.

Investing in Arts Is Investing in Cincinnati’s Future

This isn’t just a field trip. It’s a statement about who Cincinnati is and who it wants to be. A city where every child can see, hear, and feel their culture. A city that values its river, its artists, and its young people. A city that knows investing in the arts is investing in its future.

More Arts, More Kids is more than a program. It’s a current moving through Cincinnati—carrying stories, shaping identities, and building bridges between communities.

For more on the festival and the full schedule of events, visit americasriverroots.com.