Workbench Series Archive
View materials and watch videos of 2022 WorkBench Sessions.
Workbench Sessions | 2022 Schedule |
|||
Session |
Partner |
Date |
Link |
| Capitalization for Grantmakers and Nonprofits | GIA | January 11 | learn |
| Accessibility Opportunity: Arts + Culture Partnership + Shared Virtual Communities | Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities | January 20 | view recipients |
| Healthcare is not a Privilege | The MetroHealth System | March 10 | view resources |
| Fiscal Sponsorship 101 | April 14 | watch | |
| Business Basics for Creatives | SCORE Cleveland | May 4 | watch |
| Marketing Basics for Creatives | SCORE Cleveland | May 18 | watch |
| Community CORE: The Superhero Project | Lisa Kollins | July 21 | watch |
| Legal Help Needed: Better Call VLA and Legal Aid | Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts; Legal Aid | August 11 | learn more |
| A Conversation with W.A.G.E. | W.A.G.E. | November 3 | WAGENCY |
Context
In learning from Cleveland’s arts and culture communities, Assembly has seen the need for practical support, professional development and connections rise to the top as priorities for creative workers – from financial sustainability, accounting and health insurance to accessibility, equity practices and legal assistance.
Assembly worked in partnership with The George Gund Foundation and Grantmakers in the Arts to host an initial workshop focused on financial resiliency and capitalization for both grantmakers and nonprofit organizations.
With that and the observed priorities for creative workers, Assembly has devised Workbench Sessions: Useable Tools for Creative Workers
Who benefits?
The ultimate goal of this program is to boost the professional bandwidth and resiliency of our area creative workers and, in turn, grow the effectiveness of greater Cleveland’s arts and culture sector and creative industries. Stronger arts and culture means thriving residents, vibrant and safer neighborhoods, more effective education and community well-being.
Additionally, the financial impact of COVID on artists and arts groups has been well documented. But even prior to the pandemic, small- and medium-budget nonprofits lacked sufficient financial cushions to do long range planning, weather unexpected emergencies, or beef up for expansion. Assembly is well-positioned to provide support and resources to our creative communities that address these issues.
By hosting this series of programs, Assembly for the Arts will gain more insight into future programming and uncover areas of deep need for the arts community.
Financial Sustainability for Creatives
While the overall Workbench Sessions are intended to address the needs of the full creative community, a specialized, separate track of entrepreneurship coaching will be offered for small to mid-size organizations, artists and small creative businesses. Participation will prioritize BIPOC communities, BIPOC-led organizations, and organizations devoted to development equitable business practices. This work is supported by Huntington Bank’s Entrepreneur In Residence program.
Community Core Sessions
Assembly recognizes that there are hundreds of untapped experts in our arts communities who are living, working and waiting to share their knowledge. That’s why we’re excited to launch Workbench: Community Core. An extension of the Workbench Sessions, Community Core feature arts community presented topics and conversations. We see the value in creating a flexible, community-centered space and platform for our local artists, business owners, nonprofit professionals and entrepreneurs to Teach, Connect and Provide their knowledge to the public using the virtual webinar format.
Topics can be
- Knowledge-based; rooted in your expertise as part of the arts community and supportive to others
- Collaborative in style, seeking the feedback of the community
- Broad-reaching and beneficial for anyone in the arts community
Topics cannot be
- Partisan political presentations or lobbying efforts
- A sales pitch or event promotion
- A lecture on a personal viewpoint
Submit your idea now!
All Community Core presentations will be hosted on Assembly’s Zoom platform, supported by staff and promoted in our communications channels. Our regular Workbench Series will continue, with Community Core as a supplement depending on community interest and appetite.
Artists for ARPA: Just Two Percent
Source: CAN Journal
Abstract:
For decades, the City of Cleveland, has had a scarce commitment to the support of the arts and cultural sector. In particular, the creative workforce—the individual people who actually do the creating– has been exceedingly undervalued. Those are people hit hard by the COVID crisis. Currently the arts sector, coordinated by Assembly for the Arts, is asking Cleveland City Council to approve Mayor Justin Bibb’s recommendation that $10 million dollars of American Rescue Plan Act funds be invested in the arts, including the creative workforce. That is two (2) cents out of each of the $511 million that Cleveland has to spend. Two percent.
Nathalie Bermudez
Nathalie Bermudez
An artist and fellow neighbor in Clark-Fulton, Stockyards and portions of Brooklyn Centre, and Tremont.
Follow the artist
Two Cents for Arts & Culture
Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!
Covid has hit the creative sector hard. An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood. We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.
Artists for ARPA
Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.
Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative Workforce. This is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!
Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.
We’re making progress
Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.
Assemble Now
Contact Jasmin Santana in Ward 14
Office Phone Number: 216.664.4238
Attend a Postcard Party
Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30
Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb unveils 85 goals - some big, some small - for first 100 days
Source: Cleveland.com
Excerpt:
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb on Monday identified 85 goals for his first 100 days in office – a wide-ranging set of priorities for how the city delivers basic services, addresses public health and safety, and lays the groundwork for some of Bibb’s more ambitious, longer-term plans.
The mayor also unveiled an online tracker, at mayor.clevelandohio.gov, to show the city’s progress toward achieving those goals and to provide a way for residents to hold him accountable to his promises.
Bibb’s priorities were developed off the work of an 80-plus person transition team, comprised of leaders in business, community organizations, non-profits and government, and tasked with identifying early recommendations for Bibb’s new administration.
Deploy $10 Million of ARPA Funding for the Arts in Cleveland Neighborhoods.
Cleveland’s arts and culture sector was critically impacted during the pandemic. The unprecedented financial damage rose to $146 million and impacted 5,000 jobs in Cleveland-area cultural nonprofits alone. Focus funds on local artists and creative neighborhood place-building to uplift and empower residents.
Christa Ebert
Christa Ebert
An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 17: West Park, Kamm's Corners, and Puritas
About the artist
Musician and mixed media artist Christa Ebert performs as Uno Lady, a one-woman choir, and composes songs with her voice, nature sounds, and electronic tools. Using her four-octave singing range, she constructs sonic worlds with dream-like vocal layers and looping ethereal tones. Also as a video artist, she creates nature inspired stop-motion music videos to accompany her compositions. Christa has recorded and produced six releases, including the most recent mindfulness album and film series, GROUNDED. Her unique talent has been acknowledged with various awards, including residencies and fellowships with Ellis-Beauregard Foundation, Foundation House, SPACE’s Urgent Art Fund, Chateau Orquevaux, Creative Workforce Fellow, Akron Soul Train, and Panza Foundation.
Follow the artist
Two Cents for Arts & Culture
Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!
Covid has hit the creative sector hard. An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood. We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.
Artists for ARPA
Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.
Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative Workforce. This is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!
Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.
We’re making progress
Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.
Assemble Now
Contact your Council Member Charles J. Slife in Ward 17
Office Phone Number: 216.664.4239
Attend a Postcard Party
Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30
Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00
Beth Wood
Beth Wood
An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 16: City of Lakewood border to City of Brook Park, Bellaire-Puritas, and West Park.
Two Cents for Arts & Culture
Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!
Covid has hit the creative sector hard. An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood. We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.
Artists for ARPA
Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.
Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative Workforce. This is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!
Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.
We’re making progress
Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.
Assemble Now
Contact Council Member Brian Kazy in Ward 16
Office Phone Number:216.664.2942
Attend a Postcard Party
Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30
Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00
Kyle Kidd
Kyle Kidd
An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 15: Edgewater, Cudell, Detroit Shoreway, and portions of Ohio City & Stockyards.
About the artist
Kyle creates Black Art, pulling from the many different avenues of black music and culture, vocally fusing classical, jazz, blues, gospel, funk and soul. They are currently performing throughout the country with artists such as Mourning a BLKstar, Algiers, and Richard Kennedy. Kyle also works as an educator in the Youth Sing Out program, collaborating with Roots of American Music, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. In their solo division, Kyle composes original music and curates multi-sensory experiences that incorporate stylized video, music, and fashion. They intend for their art in all its forms to be a tribal legacy, centered on representation, raw expression, and true freedom for each of us.
Follow the artist
Two Cents for Arts & Culture
Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!
Covid has hit the creative sector hard. An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood. We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.
Artists for ARPA
Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.
Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative Workforce. This is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!
Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.
We’re making progress
Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.
Assemble Now
Contact Council Member Jenny Spencer in Ward 15
Office Phone Number: 216.664.4235
Attend a Postcard Party
Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30
Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00
Kubra Abbas Alhilali
Kubra Abbas Alhilali
An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 14: Clark-Fulton, Stockyards, portions of Brooklyn Centre and Tremont
Follow the artist
Two Cents for Arts & Culture
Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!
Covid has hit the creative sector hard. An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood. We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.
Artists for ARPA
Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.
Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative Workforce. This is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!
Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.
We’re making progress
Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.
Assemble Now
Contact Council Member Jasmin Santana in Ward 14
Office Phone Number: 216.664.4238
Attend a Postcard Party
Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30
Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00
Sean Mabin
Two Cents for Arts & Culture
Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!
Covid has hit the creative sector hard. An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood. We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.
Artists for ARPA
Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.
Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative Workforce. This is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!
Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.
We’re making progress
Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.
Assemble Now
Contact Council Member Kris Harsh in Ward 13
Office Phone Number: 216.664.2943
Attend a Postcard Party
Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30
Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00
Scott Pickering
Scott Pickering
An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 12: Slavic Village, Old Brooklyn, Brooklyn Centre, and Tremont
Follow the artist
Two Cents for Arts & Culture
Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!
Covid has hit the creative sector hard. An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood. We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.
Artists for ARPA
Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.
Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative Workforce. This is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!
Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.
We’re making progress
Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.
Assemble Now
Contact Council Member Rebecca Maurer in Ward 12
Office Phone Number: 216.664.4233
Attend a Postcard Party
Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30
Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00