Senior Strategist for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy
The City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office is hiring a Senior Strategist to lead planning efforts to determine a sustainable infrastructure for the arts at City Hall. This vital position in city government will lead, direct, manage, and plan strategic policy initiatives for the City of Cleveland to position the City as a leading world cultural center with enhanced neighborhood vitality. Assembly for the Arts is proud to have played a role in advocating for this permanent arts and culture liaison at the city government level.
Assembly for the Arts opens applications for Creative Impact Fund
Source: Freshwater
Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Abstract:
Officials with Assembly for the Arts, the advocacy and equity group for creatives, want to expand the arts to Cleveland and East Cleveland neighborhoods that often lack arts investment or arts activity.
So, through its Creative Impact Fund, 16 artists will be chosen from a pool of applicants to create transformational arts project in redlined Cleveland and East Cleveland communities. Applications are now open and the deadline to apply is May 7…
Assembly for the Arts launches new fund for Cleveland artists
Source: ideastream
Date: March 17, 2023
Abstract:
Applications are now open for a new funding opportunity through Cleveland-based nonprofit Assembly for the Arts. The Creative Impact Fund will award money to 16 artists.
The new funding opportunity comes from a $140,000 Support for Artists grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Ideastream Public Media also receives support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture…
Artist Funding Opportunity Now Available Through Assembly for the Arts
ARTIST FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS
Creative Impact Fund applications due May 7
PRESS RELEASE March 16, 2023
Media Contact: Malissa Bodmann, 216-536-7517
CLEVELAND, OHIO — Assembly for the Arts has launched an artist funding opportunity for 16 artists to create transformational arts projects in redlined communities that lack arts investment developing areas of significant arts activity in Cleveland and East Cleveland.
Called the Creative Impact Fund, it is open to artists or collectives of all expressions, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, film/motion pictures, dance, ballet, theatre, music, comedy/improv, writing/literature, architecture, graphic design, craft, and fashion. Priority will be given to artists of color and art collectives with diverse representation. Creative Impact Fund is made possible by a $140,000 Support for Artists grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Individual artists, artist collectives, and informal groups are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be residents of Cuyahoga County and age 18 and older.
Jeremy V. Johnson, president and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, said the organization is excited to launch another artist funding opportunity. “As Assembly works to ‘expand the pie’ and increase equity in Cleveland’s arts and culture scene, we look forward to investing these public funds in underrepresented areas of Cleveland and East Cleveland,” he said. “Artists are an important part of the creative economy, and getting dollars into their hands helps them and the communities in which they create.”
The Creative Impact Fund includes:
- •$6,250 includes up to $2,500 in unrestricted support and $3,750 in projectsupport
- •Support from Assembly’s staff who will advise project leads in attaining theirproject goals via marketing and professional development support and connections to institutional partners, potential collaborators or thought partners
- •Assembly for the Arts Membership
Applications are due May 7, 2023. Information sessions will be held in person and virtually. Learn more at www.assemblycle.org/creativeimpactfund.
Assembly for the Arts’ Creative Impact Fund is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
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
Assembly Creative Impact Fund
About the Creative Impact Fund
The Assembly for the Arts Creative Impact Fund (CIF) will be awarded to sixteen (16) artists, art collectives, and informal groups with $6,250 for flexible funding and project-based placemaking. Our goal with this Fund is to support the investment and growth of transformative arts projects with a focus in redlined communities that lack arts investment, developing areas of significant arts activity, and promoting increased walkability. This Fund will help lay the groundwork for the City of Cleveland’s Rescue & Transformation Plan, which identified Arts and Neighborhood Amenities as a priority.
The Creative Impact Fund is open to individual artists or art collectives of all expressions, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, film/motion pictures, dance, ballet, theatre, music, comedy/improv, writing/literature, architecture, design, and fashion. In addition to funds, CIF also includes professional development, marketing support, and connections (creative, business, and institutional). Priority will be given to artists of color and art collectives with diverse representation. The Creative Impact Fund is funded by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Individual artists, multi-disciplinary artist collectives, and informal groups are encouraged to apply.
The Creative Impact Fund Includes:
- $6,250 includes up to $2,500 in unrestricted support and $3,750 in project support
- Support from Assembly’s staff who will advise project leads in attaining their project goals via marketing and professional development support and connections to institutional partners, potential collaborators or thought partners
- Assembly for the Arts Membership
Eligibility
- The Creative Impact Fund is open to individual artists and artist collectives that reside in Cuyahoga County.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Applicants cannot be staff or board members of Assembly for the Arts or Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
- Applicant projects must be centered around arts and culture and focused in creative discipline including, but not limited to, visual art, media/film, dance, theater, music, comedy/improv, literature, design and/or craft.
- Eligible Creative Impact Fund projects must take place in one of the following neighborhoods:
- Asiatown
- Broadway-Slavic Village
- Buckeye-Woodhill
- Central-Kinsman
- Clark Fulton
- East Cleveland
- Fairfax
- Glenville
- Hough
- Lee Harvard
- Midtown
- Mr. Pleasant
- North Collinwood
- Shaker Square
- South Collinwood
- St. Clair Superior
- Union Miles
- Applicants do not need to reside in one of listed neighborhoods to be eligible for this program, however they must be able to demonstrate partnership or collaboration with residents of the community where their project is being proposed.
- Only one application per artist will be accepted. Please note: artists applying as part of a collective, will not be eligible to submit an individual application.
How to Apply
Interested artists and teams can apply using the online application found on this Assembly web page using the Apply button above.
Paper applications will be accepted for accessibility reasons on a case-by-case basis. If you have a disability and require assistance in applying for CIF, please contact cif@assemblycle.org
Additional language services and accessibility support for CIF applicants are available upon request.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated for funds based on the following criteria:
- Artist or collective demonstrates past creative project management experience
- Artists or collectives that have limited past creative or project experience must be able to illustrate a plan to support the development of their proposed project
- Project is feasible within the confines of the proposed budget
- Project centers arts and culture and stimulates the investment and growth of redlined communities in the City of Cleveland or the City of East Cleveland
- Project is innovative and imaginative and demonstrates engagement with the community
Review Process
CIF grantees will be selected by a 3-5 person jury that includes artists, administrators, and community leaders from outside of the arts and culture industry, with one member of the jury from outside Greater Cleveland.
For questions and full program details, see the Program Guidelines and FAQ buttons above.
For additional questions, please email cif@assemblycle.org
Creative Impact Fund Information Sessions
Learn more about the Creative Impact Fund and how to apply at our upcoming info sessions.
Wed, March 22 / 4-5:30pm at East Cleveland Public Library
Tues, March 28 / 12-1:30 pm via Zoom
Thurs, March 30 / 6-7:30pm at Union Miles Development Corp
Thurs, April 6 / 6-7:30pm at the LGBTQ Community Center
Creative Impact Fund Office Hours
Sign up for office hours learn more about the Creative Impact Fund and assistance with your application.
FAQ
How much of the $6,250 should be project vs. flexible funds? Awardees can use up to $2,500 (maximum) as flexible funding and the remaining $3,750 must go towards your project.
What does flexible funding and project funding mean? Flexible funding means the funds are unrestricted and monies can be used to support both yourself and/or the project. Project funds are to be used to cover costs for developing, producing, and presenting your project. A budget is required as part of the CIF application. We encourage good practice around project management, budgeting, planning, and documenting. Recipients will have the accountability of budgeting and keeping documentation of expenses for final reporting, including receipts.
In addition to project and flexible funds, what else do CIF awardees receive? In addition to the $6,250, artists/collectives will receive support from Assembly’s staff who will be available to advise project leads in support of their project goals and needs. This includes connections to institutional partners, potential collaborators or thought partners, professional development, and marketing support. Awardees will also receive a complimentary Assembly for the Arts membership.
Are there any geography restrictions? Applicants must reside in Cuyahoga County.
Who is this Fund for? Open to individual artists, art collectives or informal groups (ages 18 and older) of all creative expressions, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, film/motion pictures, dance, ballet, theatre, music, comedy/improv, writing/literature, architecture, design, fashion, archaeology, history, natural history, or the natural sciences. In addition to funds, CIF also includes professional development, marketing support, and connections (creative, business, and institutional). Preference will be given to artists or art collectives who reside in redlined communities.
Cleveland aims to add a senior-level arts leader to the Bibb administration
Bureaucracy busters rejoice: The city of Cleveland is planning to create a senior-level position for the arts, culture, and the creative economy to serve as the point person for the arts at city hall and help bridge the gap with local artists, according to a presentation to city council by planning director Joyce Huang earlier this month…
Source: The Land, Lee Chilcote
Date: March 1, 2023