CLEVELAND, March 10, 2025  — Assembly for the Arts has launched The Boost Fund, a new program that provides a “boost” of funding to help Cuyahoga County artists create projects and events and to help offset the costs of artist-specific needs.

The Boost Fund will be offered in 2025 through 3 cycles, funding 140 Cuyahoga County artists with $1,500 each. Between 40-50 artist recipients will be selected in each cycle. The first application period is now open through April 7, 2025.

Artists will be chosen through a nationally modeled random selection process.

Funds may be used for a range of artist-related expenses, said Deidre McPherson, Chief Community Officer at Assembly for the Arts. “The Boost Fund is intended to help artists get their projects off the ground or be the final push they need to complete their works or support their creative practice. We hope that communities across Cuyahoga County will benefit from festivals, exhibitions, performances, and other projects brought to life in 2025 from Assembly-funded artists,” McPherson said. “The random selection method has gained popularity in recent years because it levels the playing field, eliminating subjective competition between artists.  We want this program to be especially appealing to artists who are new to applying for grants.”

Applications will be open for approximately 4 weeks per cycle, according to the following timeline:

  • Cycle 1 – Applications will be open March 7, 2025 – April 7, 2025
  • Cycle 2 – Applications will be open July 16, 2025 – August 18, 2025
  • Cycle 3 – Applications will be open October 22, 2025 – November 20, 2025

Assembly will offer a virtual information session on Thursday, March 13 at 6 p.m.

The program is open to Cuyahoga County-based artists aged 18 and older who meet other criteria. The Boost Fund, a program designed and run by 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 Boost Fund, please visit  www.assemblycle.org/boost.

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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 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, and Fred & Laura Ruth Bidwell. www.assemblycle.org