PRESS RELEASE: November 1, 2022
Media Contact: Malissa Bodmann; 216-536-7517
12 CUYAHOGA COUNTY ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED $7.55-MILLION IN STATE CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION
CLEVELAND, OH – The State of Ohio’s 2023-2024 capital appropriations budget awarded $7.55 million to arts and culture organizations in Cuyahoga County, providing critical funding to allow building projects and improvements to move forward. The state funds were distributed in September 2022.
“A robust creative economy is crucial to the vitality of Cuyahoga County. As we wrap up National Arts and Humanities Month, we wanted to salute the commitment to the arts from the Cuyahoga delegation and the other members of the Ohio General Assembly who voted to invest in arts and culture,” Jeremy Johnson, President and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, said. “Each dollar that we spend strengthening the creative sector brings dividends back to the local economy.”
Cuyahoga County’s nationally recognized arts and culture sector comprises diverse and wide-ranging nonprofit institutions, individual artists, and small businesses. Prior to the pandemic, the local creative economy generated $9.1 billion annually and supported 62,500 jobs.
State Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) said he was pleased to support capital improvements for arts and culture in Cuyahoga County. “It’s important that our communities will reap benefits from the capital bill. This investment will help our region and bring growth to our jobs and economy across the state,” he said. “Our region’s arts and culture sector is an economic engine that contributes to the quality of life for every Northeast Ohio resident.”
State Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood), a champion for arts and culture, said “capital investments in arts and culture strengthen our local economies and increase access to cultural experiences that reflect the diversity of our region. Northeast Ohio residents will benefit from cultural facilities that will be brighter, safe and more accessible.”
Funding for the following 12 capital projects will bring improvements and expansion to their respective facilities across the county. The projects include restorations, renovations, major maintenance, design and safety enhancements. The investments will ultimately enhance the vibrancy of the region and boost travel and tourism in the area.
| Eric Mendelsohn Park Synagogue Campus Restoration | $1,000,000 |
| Playhouse Square | $1,000,000 |
| Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Expansion | $1,000,000 |
| Cleveland Museum of Art Horace Kelley Art Foundation Lobby Renovation Phase II | $900,000 |
| Cleveland Museum of Natural History | $900,000 |
| The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) | $550,000 |
| Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum | $500,000 |
| Kulas Hall Renovation – Cleveland Institute of Music | $500,000 |
| Severance Music Center, Home of The Cleveland Orchestra | $500,000 |
| New Bridge Cleveland Center for Arts and Technology | $325,000 |
| Beck Center for the Arts | $200,000 |
| Karamu House Educational Wing Renovations | $175,000 |
“Bolstering the arts and culture ecosystem will help our economy recover from the pandemic,” said Fred Bidwell, Assembly for the Arts Board of Trustees President. “A stronger creative sector brings more money to local retail, restaurants and lodging. We are grateful for this vital State support for our essential arts and culture institutions.”
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ABOUT
Assembly for the Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a focus on advocacy, cultural policy, racial equity initiatives, research, marketing that elevates the region, and services for nonprofits, artists, and creative businesses. It is governed by a volunteer board with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Assembly by design operates in close partnership with Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, a government agency, and Assembly for Action, a 501(c)4 political action nonprofit to serve the entire creative sector. Assembly is supported through major funding from: The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, The Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Ohio Arts Council, Huntington, KeyBank, The George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation, Fred & Laura Beth Bidwell, and Barbara S. Robinson. www.assemblycle.org
