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
Creative Impact Fund
Please read the CIF Program Guidelines and FAQ before starting your application.
Use the Applicant Toolbox below to get started.
Important 2026 Dates:
Applications open: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Applications close: Friday, July 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Panel review and scoring: August – October, 2026
Applicants notified of panel decisions: November, 2026
About the Creative Impact Fund
Artists and creatives don’t just enrich our region—they drive it forward. They spark joy, make space for healing, and build connection across differences. They also tell the truths that demand attention, exposing injustice and pushing us toward a more just and equitable future. The Creative Impact Fund exists to back that power with unrestricted support—so you can invest in your creative practice on your own terms and keep making work that moves Greater Cleveland.
Assembly for the Arts is proud to relaunch the Creative Impact Fund (CIF) in 2026—because artists deserve real, flexible resources to grow their practice and expand their impact across our region. This year, the CIF will award twenty-two (22) forward-thinking artists and creatives with $10,000 each in unrestricted funds. The CIF is open to artists living in Cuyahoga County who have been creating impactful and inventive work in craft, dance, design, film, interdisciplinary work, media, music, theatre & performance, traditional arts, visual art, and writing/literary art.
For full details—including Assembly’s definitions of Artists and Creative Disciplines—please review the Creative Impact Fund Guidelines.
Assembly for the Arts is supported by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
Awarded Artists Receive:
- $10,000 in unrestricted funds
- Promotion as a CIF grantee on Assembly’s website, social media and other platforms
- A one-year Assembly for the Arts Membership
- Business and professional development opportunities, including marketing, networking, connections to partners or potential collaborators
- Special access to opportunities as they arise throughout the year
Ready to Apply?
Submit an online application by clicking the button below. Artists will need to create a free Submittable account or use their existing account to submit their application.
The CIF application will be available in English, with Spanish-language versions and other translation support provided as needed. Paper applications will be provided on a case-by-case basis for accessibility. Anyone who needs language assistance, accommodations, or other support in applying for CIF is encouraged to contact us at grants@assemblycle.org.
Photos from prior CIF Grantees
CIF 2026 Applicant Toolbox
- Access the 2026 CIF Frequently Asked Questions
- Explore the 2026 CIF Guidelines
- Learn more about the 2026 CIF Work Sample Guidelines
- Join us for a Grant Info Session
- May 20, 2026 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Recording Accessible Below
- June 4, 2026 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Recording Accessible Below
Artist Grant Information Session - CIF and Boost
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Creative Impact Fund, applicants must:
- Satisfy the definition of artist or creative as defined in the Program Guidelines
- Live and work in Cuyahoga County and provide proof of residency // Studio addresses (unless it’s your place of residence) and P.O. Boxes are not accepted.
- Be able to complete a W-9 form with a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
- Be 18 years of age or older
Ineligibility
Ineligible applicants include:
- Artists who have received Cuyahoga Arts & Culture funded artist grants from any of the following programs within the last five years (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025):
- Assembly for the Arts: Creative Impact Fund
- SPACES Urgent Art Fund
- Karamu House: Room in the House Fellowship
- Cleveland Public Theatre: Premiere Fellowship or Individual Artist Fund
- Julia de Burgos (Unidos Por El Arte)
- Panelists or jury members for Assembly artist grant programs
- Current staff members, board members, or contractors of Assembly for the Arts or Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC)
- Immediate family members, domestic or romantic partners, or household members of current staff, board or contractors of Assembly for the Arts or Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC)*
- Nonprofit organizations, businesses or collectives. Artists who are part of organizations or businesses must apply as individuals
*Assembly for the Arts reserves the right to determine that an applicant is ineligible where any actual, potential, or apparent conflict of interest or appearance of impropriety would compromise the fairness or integrity of the program.
*Eligible artists may apply for and receive Assembly’s Creative Impact Fund and Boost Fund in the same year.
Questions?
Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions or email us at grants@assemblycle.org
Interested in More Funding Opportunities?
Thank You to our Community Partners
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
