CINCINNATI, Ohio — An Ohio Art Academy is taking the bull by the horns and working against a big problem that many communities across the country face — that is gentrification.
The school is tackling the problem from a number of different angles, but all to be a part of the solution and not the problem. Even though Over the Rhine has experienced major gentrification, the Art Academy of Cincinnati was confident that by going against the grain, they could change the game for its students, but now, they're doing it in a much bigger way, through what they call social practice.
- Affordable apartments set to open up in June, with the possibility of more to be built in the near future
- Social Practice major to be offered to students once it's fully developed, giving students the chance to engage in the community, while helping to make it better
- Plans to open up the Future House, an innovation center geared towards social justice
Dionna Flowers brushes polyurethane on a wooden block that'll soon be a candle holder. She's a student at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
"It's all I have and I'm good at it and so, I'm a do it til I can't do it no more," said Flowers.
This is her second attempt at finishing what she started — that is a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. But now she's hoping to minor in Social Practice. It's a new major the school is looking to add in the near future as a result of a social justice club. The goal is to challenge its students to embrace all people rather than excluding them, through research and community interaction, as they create art.
Right now, most of the school's students can't afford to live, shop or eat in the neighborhood. It's one way they're trying to work to make the Over-the-Rhine area liveable for everyone, including Flowers, who lives in the area.
"I've seen it at its worst. I've seen it at its best. I've seen it at all stages,” said Flowers.
Stopping what's she's doing, Flowers takes a short walk around the neighborhood. She says it used to be a crime and drug infested area with abandoned buildings, but that's all changed.
"It's nice to see progress, but at the same time, don't forget about the people who have been here since day one, like the people who were raised here, who've raised their kids here, who've lived here for 50 years," Flowers said.
Flowers grew up in this neighborhood. Right now she's living in an affordable housing building where some of her art is displayed. It's her way of giving back to the community.
While she focuses on that, the art academy continues its work against the negative effects of gentrification with the renovation of an apartment building, something Art Academy of Cincinnati President Joe Girandola said was necessary.
"To live in the fabric of a loft-style building in Over-the-Rhine is getting less and less affordable. The ability for us to partner with Urban Sites to renovate these buildings and give the students affordable living in Over the Rhine will dramatically impact their education," said Girandola.
That involves making it easier for students to live, work, and go to school in the same area where they can engage in social practice.
Heading inside the new apartments, Girandola is excited as construction will be complete in June. The new dorm will house incoming freshman and artists-in-residence, who will participate in their social practice arm.
"That's our goal, is to change the game of what it means to be a student in an urban environment," Girandola said.
Girandola is also hoping that as they interact with the community, they'll begin to see more businesses moving towards engagement versus shying away from the people in the community that have remained.
In the meantime, students like Flowers keep working and advocating for change in a community that's been re-birthed. Right now the art academy currently offers Social Practice classes and is building out the curriculum so that it can be a major. In addition, they also have plans to open up the Future House, an innovation center geared towards social justice.
