By Jackie Demaline
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati City Council's Arts and Culture Committee is clearly bullish about Over-the-Rhine.

A total of $1.275 million in 2003 grants proposed in mid-April is to be voted on May 7. Almost half the allocated funds are earmarked for Over-the-Rhine institutions, large and small, and projects including neighborhood beautification (additional self-watering flower boxes).

Art Academy of Cincinnati ($250,000 in 2004) - The $250,000 would be contributed to Art Academy's $8.5 million capital campaign for rehabilitating the site at 12th and Jackson streets.

Arts Consortium of Cincinnati ($70,000 in 2004) - The money is being held as a potential contribution if Arts Consortium moves to the Washburn Elementary School building.

Artworks ($10,000 in 2003) - For interior renovations for a gallery, arts resource library and space for the Cincinnati Artist Registry in Artworks' new space at 811 Race St.

Cincinnati Ballet ($125,000 in 2003 and 2004) - To support an expansion to its headquarters at Liberty and Central Parkway that breaks ground this summer and to support expansion of the patron-based ticketing computer system.

Cincinnati Museum Center ($125,000 in 2003 and 2004) - To support capital improvement projects, including restoration of the Union Terminal dining areas and Newsreel Theater and roof repair.

Cincinnati Opera ($350,000 in 2003) - To complete the renovation of office and production areas in the north wing of Music Hall.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival ($25,000 in 2003) - To replace old theater seating.

Contemporary Arts Center ($75,000 in 2003, $50,000 in 2004) - With the final months of construction in overtime, funding will help toward construction of the performance space, security system and signage, among other items.

Emery Theatre ($250,000 in 2004) - Reserved to help jump-start the long-stalled Phase I of rehabilitation of a medium-sized hall for downtown.

Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati ($20,000 in 2003) - Contribution to ETC's capital campaign.

Greater Cincinnati Blues Society ($40,000 in 2003) - To help fund the Queen City Blues Fest.

Learning Through Art Inc. ($15,000 in 2003) - Provides support for expanding the "Books Alive for Kids" program to all schools within the Cincinnati public and parochial systems.

Miracle Mile of Flowers ($50,000 in 2003) - Fifty additional buildings in Over-the-Rhine will get permanent window boxes with interior irrigation systems.

School for Creative and Performing Arts ($5,000 in 2003) - To help support the three-dimensional, walk-through, interactive timeline Cincinnati: A Work of Art that will be featured at venues including Tall Stacks and Cincinnati Museum Center.

SSNOVA ($35,000 in 2003) - To support capital improvements including a humidification system, elevator and fire escape for "the fringe arts center of Cincinnati."

Taft Museum of Art ($350,000 in 2003) - Support for capital project that includes a 70-car garage, new lecture and performance venue, gallery for special exhibits and a new courtyard cafe.

Walnut Hills Art Center ($50,000 in 2003) - To support stabilization, design and exterior and interior renovation of the church tower of Walnut Hills Presbyterian Church (after last year's effort to save the church as an arts center was unsuccessful).