Elementz Opens New State-of-the-Art Urban Center

After months of planning and fundraising, a newly renovated youth and community center is now open in downtown Cincinnati.

Elementz, an arts organization that provides instruction in hip hop, music, dance, electronic media, poetry, visual art, and DJing for youth and other community members, has relocated to its new Race Street location in Over-the-Rhine.

The new location features approximately 2,200 square feet of space broken out into six distinct studio spaces, including specific areas for performance/dance, DJ, visual arts and poetry, media and music studios. Each of the studios has been upgraded with state-of-the-art equipment. Other special characteristics of the space include enhanced sound isolation properties in the music studio and writable walls in the visual/poetry studio.

This unique expansion and relocation project for Elementz marks the first time that they have had a space designed specifically for the programs that they offer. The organization’s mission, focused on a brighter future for Cincinnati’s inner-city youth, is transformative in that it not only gets them off the streets but also enables them to find their voice through community engagement and the programs offered.

In relocating to Over-the-Rhine, Elementz will activate the formerly dead space in the area, allowing for more community and partner collaborations like the new affordable housing projects in downtown Cincinnati. The new Elementz building will anchor part of a new project area – Abington, Race & Pleasant – allowing for close ties with companies like 3CDC, The Model Group and Cornerstone Renter Equity.

The relocation is also providing opportunities for youth not yet found in Over-the-Rhine. The new building will allow for more than 200 youth to explore various creative outlets that Elementz currently offers.

At the ribbon cutting celebration of its official grand opening on Monday, Mayor John Cranley named June 18 “Elementz Day” in the City of Cincinnati. The organization has served over 2,000 inner-city youth since 2001. Today, more than 90 percent of Elementz students graduate from high school and more than 50 percent go on to college. Elementz propels these children to explore their interests and develop what may be, for some, a solid foundation for a future career. 

Interested in learning more about the programs available at Elementz or want to donate to the organization? Click here.