The arts are alive at Cincinnati Country Day School. Over the past five years alone, we have garnered national recognition for our artists, writers, and photographers. We have also welcomed speakers to our campus such as internationally renowned documentary photographer Mary Ellen Mark and National Poetry Series winner Jeffrey Harrison, CCDS class of 1972. Student-written plays have been performed at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, and we have enjoyed student vocal and instrumental performances during Cincinnati’s May Festival.
The Fine Arts Department at Cincinnati Country Day School provides a comprehensive arts program, Early Childhood through grade 12, to support the school’s commitment to superior education. Drama, music (vocal and instrumental), visual art, literary arts, and dance courses enable students to reach their full potential and encourage them to experiment and to develop creativity. Student skill development is encouraged through the integration of production, aesthetics, history, and criticism. In addition, CCDS retains a close relationship with the Cleveland Museum of Art as well as other museums. Students from Kindergarten to 12th grade have explored the world's art collections through this 21st century medium.
Exposure to local, regional, and national artists through competitions; trips to museums, performances, and galleries; visiting artists and performances; and artists-in-residence programs all broaden students’ experiences within the arts. Recent visiting artists have included:
- Duane Michals, 2009
- Lana Wong, 2009
- Stephen Marc, 2008
- Sandy Skoglund, 2008
- Tony Dallas, 2008
- Migiua Orimo, 2008
- Josh Withers, 2008
- Shimon Attie, 2008
- Jeffrey Harrison, 2007 (CCDS alumnus)
- Bruce Davidson, 2007
- Debbie Brod, 2007
- Maggie Taylor, 2006
- Jerry Uelsmann, 2006
- Chris Rainier, 2005
- Mary Ellen Mark, 2004
- Rob Shetterly, 2003 (CCDS alumnus)
Enrichment experiences for students in Lower, Middle, and Upper School have included performances by and visits to the following:
- Cincinnati Opera
- Playhouse in the Park
- School House Symphony
- SCPA Dance Ensemble
- Cincinnati Art Museum
- Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
- Taft Museum
- Madcap Productions Puppet Theater
- Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Students school-wide can enhance their arts experience by participating in the following arts-related clubs, organizations, and activities throughout the school year:
- Anime (Japanese cartooning)
- Archive (yearbook)
- Beginning Guitar (after school program)
- Clay Club (after school program)
- Dance Team
- EXPOSURE (photography)
- Hip Hop Dance (after school program)
- Instrumental (private lessons)
- InWords (literary and visual arts magazine)
- Ovations (drama)
- Paper Mache Sculpture (after school program)
- Piano (private lessons)
- The Scroll (all-school newspaper)
- The Scroll Junior (Middle School newspaper)
- Thespian Society (drama)
- Vocal (private lessons)
- Violin (private lessons)
- Woodworking (after school program)