CLEVELAND, May 14, 2026  — Assembly for the Arts has opened the application for its 2026 Creative Impact Fund (CIF) grant program for Cuyahoga County artists. This year, the CIF will award twenty-two (22) forward-thinking artists and creatives with $10,000 each in unrestricted funds.  

In its fourth year, the Creative Impact Fund is currently one of the largest unrestricted grant opportunities available to Cuyahoga County artists. By providing flexible funds and professional development support, the program is designed to promote the growth of artists’ creative practices and advance their impact on our region. The application period is open until July 17, 2026, with the selected artists to be announced in November 2026. 

The CIF is open to artists age 18 and older 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. 

“Artists and creatives enrich our region and drive it forward. As is evidenced by previous Creative Impact Fund awardees, their work sparks joy, makes space for healing and builds connection across differences. They also tell the truths that demand attention, pushing us toward a more just society,” said Deidre McPherson, Assembly’s Chief Community Officer. “We are proud to continue this investment in local artists so they can grow their practices and continue to create works that move us toward a greater Cleveland.” 

Artists will be selected for funding by a review panel comprised of artists and arts professionals representing a wide range of creative disciplines. Panelists from outside the region will evaluate applications based on criteria that center artistic innovation and community impact.    

Awarded artists will receive:    

• $10,000 in unrestricted funds each 

• 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 

Important Dates: 

• Applications now open 

• 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 

Assembly will offer two online information sessions: May 20th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., and June 4th from 12 to 1:30 p.m. More information is available on Assembly’s website. 

Assembly for the Arts, is supported by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. For full details about the Creative Impact Fund, please visit https://assemblycle.org/CIF/.  

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Assembly for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that unifies Greater Cleveland’s creative sector by coordinating information, partnerships, and opportunities and advocating for strong public and private investment in arts and culture. It supports nonprofits, artists, and creative businesses through research, policy, and sector-wide services, working closely with Assembly for Action, a 501(c)(4) advocacy affiliate. Learn more at assemblycle.org.  

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Malissa Bodmann  

malissa@compellingcommunicationsllc.com