The Contemporary Arts Center is a contemporary non-collecting art museum that places emphasis on the latest developments in the world of art, be it in painting, photography, sculpture, new media, and performance art. The center, also known as the CAC, has displayed the masterpieces of various contemporary artists during the early part of their careers. One of these artists is Andy Warhol.

The CAC had its founding in 1939. It was then known as the Modern Art Society. It had its inaugural exhibition, which was named Modern Paintings from Cincinnati Collections, at the basement of the Cincinnati Art Museum. The CAC transferred to the Women’s Exchange building in 1964 and moved again to the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in 2003, the center’s first free-standing home.

The Contemporary Art Center’s present home owes its design to Zaha Hadid, a world-renowned architect. The museum was Hadid’s first design that ever came to life. The museum also has the distinction of being the first-ever museum in the United States to be designed by a woman.

The CAC, being a non-collecting museum, has no permanent or fixed collection on display. Although at times they may feature exhibits with mature content, the center assures its visitors that more often than not, their exhibits are fit for people of all ages. The museum also has an education department that offers programs and activities for all audiences, all to help everyone learn more about contemporary art.