Individual Artists: Yes, Yes, and Yes
Source: CAN Journal, Michael Gill
Date: August 6, 2025
Abstract:
The phrase “preaching to the choir” is made for moments like this: CAN Journal’s endorsement in favor of Cuyahoga County’s cigarette tax for the arts might seem completely unnecessary. Our readers are interested in art and artists, and the organizations that support them, and Collective Arts Network (CAN) has benefitted directly from the tax through general operating support for the last half-dozen years. Our endorsement is no surprise. Nonetheless, the last year’s discussion about Cuyahoga Arts and Culture (CAC) gives us a good reason to weigh in.
Bibb Administration Launches Transformative Arts Fund, Nearly $3 Million in Grants Now Available to Local Artists
Between 6 to 12 Cleveland-Centric Projects Will Receive Awards Ranging from $250,000 to $500,000
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 — Cleveland — Mayor Justin M. Bibb announced nearly $3 million is now available for local artists through the City’s Transformative Arts Fund (TAF) grant program. The program will provide funding for projects and initiatives led by Cleveland-based artists. The application portal opened today and those who are interested have until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, March 30 to apply.
“Our local creative community provides the heartbeat that keeps our neighborhoods vibrant and alive – they inspire our children, bring difficult societal challenges to light, and empower us to take action,” said Mayor Bibb. “This transformative-level of funding we will be providing is designed to award artists who propose projects that will have a sustained, positive impact in the community long after they are completed.”
'It's gonna create an art renaissance': CLE artists awarded $3M to create public art projects in neighborhoods
Source: News5
Date: July 18, 2024
Abstract:
The City of Cleveland says the grant program will support artists who partner with institutional partners to create art that reflects the diversity and richness of the city.
CLEVELAND — Wednesday, the City of Cleveland announced funding for seven public art and place-making projects to bolster artists and strengthen neighborhoods. At that time, Rhonda K. Brown, the city’s senior strategist for arts, culture and the creative economy, said, “it’s an opportunity for artist to partner with corporations, schools and any public/private entity.”
The true value of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture tax - a thriving community: Geralyn M. Presti and Chinenye Nkemere
Source: Cleveland.com, Opinion
Date: July 8, 2024
Abstract: CLEVELAND — Millions of people from across the socioeconomic spectrum benefit annually from Cuyahoga County’s robust, publicly funded arts and culture nonprofit scene. Our arts and culture sector creates thousands of family-supporting jobs, pumps hundreds of millions into our economy, drives tourism, offers thousands of opportunities, experiences, and safe alternatives for schoolchildren, enhances neighborhoods, and is a source of pride for our region.
Nearly 500 organizations throughout the county have received funding from our voter-supported 1.5-cent tax on cigarettes since its inception. Those organizations provide many programs for our diverse population, tens of thousands of Cleveland area schoolchildren, and hundreds of thousands of residents at no cost.
Cuyahoga County cigarette tax increase heading to November ballot
Source: Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland.com
Published: June 4, 2024
CLEVELAND, Ohio — To support the arts, Cuyahoga County Council on Tuesday voted to send a proposed increase to the county’s cigarette tax to the November ballot.
It will be up to voters to decide whether to replace the 1.5-cent-per-cigarette rate first approved in 2006 with a new 3.5-cent-per-cigarette tax. The change would increase taxes on each pack of cigarettes from 30 cents to 70 cents.
Council passed the resolution unanimously. None of the members commented.
Cuyahoga County Arts and Culture board votes to ask County Council to put cigarette tax increase on November ballot
Source: Cleveland.com, Steven Litt
Date: April 29, 2024
Abstract:
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Board members of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, the government agency that distributes cigarette tax money to the arts, voted unanimously on Monday to ask Cuyahoga County Council to approve a November ballot item that would enable county voters to increase the tax from 1.5 cents to 3.5 cents per cigarette.
The tax could raise an estimated $160 million between 2026 and 2035 and bolster revenues that have declined sharply since voters first approved the tax in 2006. In its first year of funding, the 10-year tax produced roughly $20 million for arts and cultural organizations across the county.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture resolves to place cigarette tax increase on November ballot
Source: ideastream, Kabir Bhatia
Date: April 29, 2024
Abstract: Cuyahoga Arts & Culture has taken its first step toward increasing the county cigarette tax from 30-cents-per-pack to 70 cents.
At a special meeting Monday, the board approved a resolution asking County Council to place an expansion of the tax on the November 2024 ballot. The new amount is estimated to generate about $160 million over the next decade.
The 70-cent figure was decided after extensive research, according to Jeff Rusnak of R Strategy Group.
“The voters really respect and admire our arts and cultural sector,” he said. “They have invested in it for nearly two decades and that has paid off. Three-and-a-half cents per cigarette is a small ask that produces really big impact.”
CAC Trustees Approve a Resolution Requesting November Tax Levy to Fund Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Through 2035
CAC Trustees Approve a Resolution Requesting November Tax Levy to Fund Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Through 2035
Replacement Levy Could Generate $160M Over 10 Years, Expand Public Investment in Hundreds of Nonprofit Arts Organizations
CLEVELAND (April 29, 2024) – Today, the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Board of Trustees approved a resolution to Cuyahoga County Council requesting a tax levy be placed on the November 2024 ballot to replace and expand CAC’s dedicated tax resource.
The resolution, approved unanimously by CAC’s Trustees in a public meeting, formally requests that Cuyahoga County Council submit the question of the replacement levy to Cuyahoga County voters at the November 5, 2024 general election. Cuyahoga Arts & Culture’s sole revenue source is a tax on cigarettes sold in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The tax would continue to provide public funding for the operations of Cuyahoga County’s arts and cultural nonprofits.
Rapid Action Grant
Applications Now Closed
Applications were reviewed in the order they were received. 2024 Program funds have been depleted.
ABOUT
The Rapid Action Grant is designed to help boost artists’ ability to fund their creative projects and fill in the gaps when immediate needs arise. Through this program, Cuyahoga County-based artists can request funds to help them with expenses for a public event, project or program or for unexpected costs that arise related to their creative practice. The grant provides rapid disbursement of funds up to $2,000*. Applications are reviewed in the order that they are received and on a rolling basis throughout the year until all program funds have been distributed.
Who can apply?
- Individual artists ages 18 and older who live and work in Cuyahoga County.
- Artists who need a funding boost to help cover costs for a public, arts-related project, event or program.
- Artists who need funds for an unexpected or emergency expense related to their creative practice.
- Artists cannot be board or staff members of Assembly, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture or Neighborhood Connections, or jurors of any Assembly artist programs.
- Nonprofit organizations or businesses are not eligible to apply.
- Artists can submit one (1) application to the Rapid Action Grant each calendar year.
FAQs
What can I request funds for?
Rapid Action Grant funds can help artists cover immediate project expenses. Any creative project, event or program can come with costs you weren’t expecting or may not have budgeted for. You might need additional supplies for a workshop, funds to pay artists at a showcase or an urgent need for a festival permit. Rapid Action can provide extra money to make your project possible.
Examples of eligible projects include, but aren’t limited to, artist-run festivals, exhibitions, fairs, performances, workshops, youth programs, public discussions and more. Projects and events should be open and accessible to the public and must take place in Cuyahoga County.
Emergency expenses associated with being a working artist do come up. Whether you find a water leak in your studio, discover you need another microphone or just can’t make the studio rent, the Rapid Action Grant is here to help. Examples of eligible urgent expenses include, but aren’t limited to, studio rent, maintenance, repair or utilities, replacing equipment or materials, unexpected exhibition or performance costs, contractor fees and more.
Ineligible expenses include personal needs such as medical bills, grocery bills, home utilities, or other personal expenses. For full details, please refer to the Guidelines selection criteria or contact Assembly at grants@assemblycle.org with questions.
How do I apply?
Applying is simple! Artists can complete an online application by clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this page. Applications must be completed online through Submittable. Paper applications are not available for the Rapid Action Grant.
If my application is approved, what’s the turnaround time to receive funds?
Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received and on a rolling basis throughout the year until all program funds have been distributed.
Funding decisions will be made within approximately two weeks after an application is submitted, with funds distributed within 30-days upon approval and receipt of required payment documents.
Are there any funding requirements?
Artists will need to sign an agreement, submit a W-9 and include the Assembly and CAC logo on program materials. Rapid Action Grant recipients are also required to have a personal bank account to have funds directly deposited.
Questions?
Please contact grants@assemblycle.org.
Rapid Action Grant is supported by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.