April Cadence: A New Chapter
Colleagues,
This spring feels like a new chapter — and not just because the daffodils are up.
We’ve officially moved into our new home at the Midtown Collaboration Center, alongside Cleveland Arts Prize, Cleveland Arts Education Consortium, and nearly 20 other community-minded partners. The space is vibrant, welcoming, and already buzzing with collaboration.
We’d love for you to see it in person. Join us for our Big Block Party on Friday, May 16 from 4:30–7:30 PM — a celebration of new beginnings, creative neighbors, and the people who make Cleveland’s arts and culture ecosystem thrive. RSVP here.
Our March Assembly was standing room only. Artists, advocates, and cultural workers gathered to hear from representatives of CreativeOhio, Ohio Humanities, Ohio Arts Council, Cleveland VOTES, and more — a strong lineup of leaders working at the intersection of arts, civic engagement, and public policy. Assembly is fighting for Northeast Ohio’s creative economy, and we’re doing it shoulder-to-shoulder with partners, advocates, and the artists who fuel our momentum.
We also just wrapped the first application cycle for our Boost Fund grant program, which drew nearly 400 submissions from Cuyahoga County artists. Awards will be announced later this month, and the next round will open July 16.
Want to learn more about the Boost Fund and support local talent while you’re at it? Come out this Sunday, April 13, to BSide for Discover Weekly: Music with a Mission, featuring Skuff Micksun and special guest Joshua Jesty. It’s a free, 21+ event that celebrates Cleveland’s vibrant music scene and offers a chance to hear more about the Boost Fund. (Special thanks to Assembly Board member Kathy Blackman for making it possible.) More info at bsideliquorlounge.com.
Meanwhile, Assembly membership continues to grow. Members now enjoy benefits like priority access to artist opportunities, advocacy briefings, and affordable health access through TelAssurance. If you haven’t joined yet, or want to refer a friend, it’s easy to sign up. Become a member today!
And let me leave you with a glimpse of what this work looks like in real life:
On Thursday, I stood with Assembly Board Chair Chinenye Nkemere and Jazmin Long, President of Birthing Beautiful Communities, at moCa’s exhibit “Dear,” a moving tribute to Black motherhood and the transformative love of the village. These moments resonate deeply. They remind us that while we advocate for policy, push for funding, and weather fiscal uncertainty—we do it because art brings us back to what matters.
The very next day, I witnessed a powerful scene at Holden Forests and Gardens, where Deep Roots Gallery curated a breathtaking exhibition called “The Nature of Healing.” The show explored grief and resilience through botanical forms, and the space was alive with people of all ages—elders, kids, families, first-time visitors. There was joy, connection, and the quiet awe that only happens when art meets community.
Yes, we are in a moment of real challenge. The threat of cuts from Washington is rippling through the nonprofit and creative sectors. People are frustrated. Resources are thin.
What I saw this week was just as real: people showing up, creating beauty, and making meaning anyway. These are the moments that remind us why this work matters.
Arts and culture drive our economy, support jobs, and promote tourism—and they also create singular moments like these: when a gallery becomes a space for healing, when an exhibit becomes a tribute to community, and when people from all walks of life connect through creativity. That’s the power we must protect.
That’s why we keep going. That’s why we do this work.
Let’s move forward—together.
Jeremy Johnson, President & CEO
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April Cadence: A New Chapter
Colleagues,
This spring feels like a new chapter — and not just because the daffodils are up.
We’ve officially moved into our new home at the Midtown Collaboration Center, alongside Cleveland Arts Prize, Cleveland Arts Education Consortium, and nearly 20 other community-minded partners. The space is vibrant, welcoming, and already buzzing with collaboration.
We’d love for you to see it in person. Join us for our Big Block Party on Friday, May 16 from 4:30–7:30 PM — a celebration of new beginnings, creative neighbors, and the people who make Cleveland’s arts and culture ecosystem thrive. RSVP here.
Our March Assembly was standing room only. Artists, advocates, and cultural workers gathered to hear from representatives of CreativeOhio, Ohio Humanities, Ohio Arts Council, Cleveland VOTES, and more — a strong lineup of leaders working at the intersection of arts, civic engagement, and public policy. Assembly is fighting for Northeast Ohio’s creative economy, and we’re doing it shoulder-to-shoulder with partners, advocates, and the artists who fuel our momentum.
We also just wrapped the first application cycle for our Boost Fund grant program, which drew nearly 400 submissions from Cuyahoga County artists. Awards will be announced later this month, and the next round will open July 16.
Want to learn more about the Boost Fund and support local talent while you’re at it? Come out this Sunday, April 13, to BSide for Discover Weekly: Music with a Mission, featuring Skuff Micksun and special guest Joshua Jesty. It’s a free, 21+ event that celebrates Cleveland’s vibrant music scene and offers a chance to hear more about the Boost Fund. (Special thanks to Assembly Board member Kathy Blackman for making it possible.) More info at bsideliquorlounge.com.
Meanwhile, Assembly membership continues to grow. Members now enjoy benefits like priority access to artist opportunities, advocacy briefings, and affordable health access through TelAssurance. If you haven’t joined yet, or want to refer a friend, it’s easy to sign up. Become a member today!
And let me leave you with a glimpse of what this work looks like in real life:
On Thursday, I stood with Assembly Board Chair Chinenye Nkemere and Jazmin Long, President of Birthing Beautiful Communities, at moCa’s exhibit “Dear,” a moving tribute to Black motherhood and the transformative love of the village. These moments resonate deeply. They remind us that while we advocate for policy, push for funding, and weather fiscal uncertainty—we do it because art brings us back to what matters.
The very next day, I witnessed a powerful scene at Holden Forests and Gardens, where Deep Roots Gallery curated a breathtaking exhibition called “The Nature of Healing.” The show explored grief and resilience through botanical forms, and the space was alive with people of all ages—elders, kids, families, first-time visitors. There was joy, connection, and the quiet awe that only happens when art meets community.
Yes, we are in a moment of real challenge. The threat of cuts from Washington is rippling through the nonprofit and creative sectors. People are frustrated. Resources are thin.
What I saw this week was just as real: people showing up, creating beauty, and making meaning anyway. These are the moments that remind us why this work matters.
Arts and culture drive our economy, support jobs, and promote tourism—and they also create singular moments like these: when a gallery becomes a space for healing, when an exhibit becomes a tribute to community, and when people from all walks of life connect through creativity. That’s the power we must protect.
That’s why we keep going. That’s why we do this work.
Let’s move forward—together.
Jeremy Johnson, President & CEO