History
The Aronoff Center was proposed in 1993; at the time of the first proposal, some community members voiced concerns that a new concert venue would lead to the abandonment or destruction of Cincinnati Music Hall. Opponents included Patricia Corbett, wife of J. Ralph Corbett and Louise Nippert, who were large supporters of the arts in Cincinnati at the time.[3] At the time, Cincinnati lacked a modern music venue in downtown, with the nearby Taft Theater lacking air conditioning, preventing shows during the summer. Corbett later supported the center after meeting with the theater's committee, but Nippert remained opposed.[3]
Then President of the Ohio Senate, Stanley Aronoff, secured $40 million of funding for the project, which was originally set aside for an unrealized Broadway theater in Columbus, proposed by Les Wexner.[3] The Aronoff Center was named in his honor.[4]
The Cincinnati Arts Association was formed in 1992, and oversees both Music Hall and the Aronoff Center.[3]
The center officially opened on October 21, 1995, with an opening gala that drew 60,000 visitors in the first week.[5]
In November 1995, the Aronoff saw its first Broadway show, with a performance of Miss Saigon. The show ran for 48 performances and was seen by over 100,000 visitors.[5]
In July 2012, the Aronoff hosted the World Choir Games, which drew nearly 30,000.[5]
During the summers of 2016 and 2017, the Cincinnati Opera played at the Aronoff due to the renovation of Music Hall.[5]
The Aronoff Center has subsequently been characterized as catalyzing development in downtown Cincinnati[3]
