STATE LEGISLATION GRANTS NEW OPTION TO FUND ARTS NONPROFITS IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY

NEWS RELEASE
Date: January 13, 2023
Media Contact: Malissa Bodmann
216-536-7517

STATE LEGISLATION GRANTS NEW OPTION TO FUND ARTS NONPROFITS IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY

CLEVELAND – The Ohio Legislature, through Senate Bill 164, has given permissive authority to convert Cuyahoga County’s existing cigarette tax from a per-unit tax to a tax based on the percentage of sales and to expand it to include vapor products. Any changes made to the current tax that funds Cuyahoga Arts & Culture would require support of a majority of Cuyahoga County voters casting ballots on the issue. No decision has been made when or if the issue may be placed on an upcoming election ballot.

Senate Bill 164, which was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine, is not a new tax. Rather, it is permissive language that allows the county to decide whether or not to convert and expand the current tax. The bill gives Cuyahoga County and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture the option of placing an issue on the ballot. The current tax, expected to expire in January 2027, would remain in place unless the voters approved converting if. The arts and culture creative sector contributes $9.1 billion to the local economy, providing jobs and helping improve the quality of life.

“Cigarette sales have been declining at a steady pace for decades, leading to a significant declining revenue for Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC),” said Jill Paulsen, executive director of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. “CAC, which is funded solely by the excise tax on cigarettes, is the only political subdivision in Cuyahoga County that has declining revenue. CAC has a 15-year track record of supporting arts and culture experiences that have reached millions of residents. We have distributed $230 million in funding since 2007, and it is vital for our vibrant community that public funding for the arts continues.”

Jeremy Johnson, executive director and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, said: “A stable, well-funded creative sector is essential for the vibrancy of our region. We began looking at alternative funding options to help replace the approximately 40% in lost revenues since the inception of the tax. We thank Governor Mike DeWine and our State Legislators for giving Cuyahoga County voters the option to consider new revenue support for arts and culture.”

About:

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) is the region’s largest funder for arts and culture, helping hundreds of organizations in Cuyahoga County connect millions of people to cultural experiences each year. Since 2006, CAC has invested $230 million in over 470 organizations, making our community a more vibrant place to live, work and play. CAC is a separate government entity and a political subdivision of the State of Ohio. For more information, visit cacgrants.org.

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 by design operates in close partnership with Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, a government agency, and Assembly for Action, a 501(c)4 political action nonprofit to serve the entire creative sector. 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 CharitableFoundation, Fred & Laura Beth Bidwell,and Barbara S. Robinson.www.assemblycle.org

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by Assembly for the Arts

Assembly's President and CEO, Jeremy Johnson named 2022 Crain's Power 150

2022 Crain’s Power 150

From CEOs and politicians to philanthropists and entrepreneurs, Crain’s “Power 150” list is just a snapshot of those leading some of Northeast Ohio’s most influential organizations and who are in a position to move the region forward.

Jeremy Johnson

President and CEO, Assembly for the Arts

Highlighted involvement: UniversityCircle Inc., AEP6 Equity Task Force for Americans for the Arts

In the news: Following a national search, Assembly for the Arts tapped Johnson, a Cleveland native, to lead the arts and culture startup. The nonprofit, which aims to increase equity in Cleveland’s arts and culture industries, launched in summer 2021 after more than a year of planning by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Arts Cleveland, and the Arts and Culture Action Committee, with support from the Cleveland Foundation and the George Gund Foundation. In its first year, Assembly worked hand in hand with Cuyahoga Arts & Culture to secure $3.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Visit Power 150 Profile (subscription required)

by Assembly for the Arts

Arts advocates are gathering input to help increase funding in Greater Cleveland

Date: December 19, 2022

By: Signal Cleveland, Olivera Perkins

Abstract:

If you’re attending an arts or cultural event in Cuyahoga County in the next several months, don’t be surprised if volunteers invite you to complete a survey that includes asking what you spent in connection with attending the event.

They’re not being nosey. The volunteers are part of a national effort to document the economic impact of the arts locally and then use these findings as leverage to increase government and other funding for arts.

Read the Full Article

by Assembly for the Arts

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture awards $560,000 for artists and resident-led programs

Date: December 14

By: Ideastream Public Media | Kabir Bhatia

Abstract:

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture approved more than $560,000 Wednesday at its board meeting for artists and resident-led projects.

“It’s about igniting the power of everyday people to make change in their communities,” said Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Executive Director Jill Paulsen.

Read Full Article

by Assembly for the Arts

ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS HIRES CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER

December 5, 2022

Media Contact:
Malissa Bodmann
216-536-7517

ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS HIRES CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER

Arts Champion Will Draw on Her Experience with Diverse Artists and Institutions

CLEVELAND, OHIO — Assembly for the Arts has hired arts leader Deidre McPherson as its first Chief Community Officer. McPherson will lead efforts to improve equity and connections among arts nonprofits, individual creatives and small business communities in Northeast Ohio.

Jeremy Johnson, President and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, said McPherson will help the organization achieve its mission to ensure that everyone who lives and works in Greater Cleveland benefits from a diverse and equitable art and cultural sector.

“Deidre is a widely known and respected arts champion. She understands Greater Cleveland’s arts and culture landscape. I’ve seen her work firsthand, leading various initiatives that center the voices of our region’s diverse creatives. She will be a great asset to our team, making connections and expanding efforts to understand and deliver what artists of color and other communities need to thrive,” Johnson said.

Prior to joining Assembly, McPherson held leadership roles at the Cleveland Museum of Art (2017-2021) and the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (2014-2017). At both institutions, she was responsible for curating and managing events and exhibition-inspired programs designed to create vibrant, socially relevant, and welcoming destinations. Most recently, McPherson was the Director of Artistic and Community Initiatives for FRONT International Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art (2021-2022), where she introduced community engagement practices that focused on uplifting historically marginalized populations of Greater Cleveland.

McPherson said she was drawn to Assembly because it has “has done an incredible job developing an artist and community-centered approach that has a bold and unapologetic focus on eradicating inequities in the arts. Jeremy Johnson, the Assembly board, and staff have put the organization in a strong position with great opportunities ahead. I’m extremely proud to have a chance to work alongside them to build on what’s been accomplished to date.”

“I want artists and our creative community to know that they don’t have to leave Cleveland for larger cities to have a sustainable career,” she said. “We have an arts ecosystem led by bright leaders with visionary ideas that can transform and improve the quality of life in our communities. We have the talent, grit, amenities, and passion to make our city a place where artists and creatives can build, and entrepreneurs can thrive. I’m committed to working with Assembly to support them

in bringing their creative projects to life in ways that help improve the quality of life for Clevelanders, especially in parts of our city that need it the most.”

McPherson earned an MBA in marketing from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in music performance. She serves on the boards of Bike Cleveland, Sankofa Fine Art Plus, and Cleveland VOTES.

ABOUT

by Assembly for the Arts

Nonprofit Assembly for the Arts appoints arts leader Deidre McPherson as its first chief community officer

Date: December 1, 2022

By: Steven Litt, cleveland.com

Abstract: CLEVELAND, Ohio — The nonprofit Assembly for the Arts, an umbrella organization for the city’s cultural sector, announced Thursday it has appointed consultant Deidre McPherson as its first chief community officer.

The appointment signals the intensification of the Assembly’s efforts to improve equity and opportunity for individual artists and practitioners of all kinds, and among the city’s creative industries and nonprofit institutions.

read full article

by Assembly for the Arts

Loans

Micro Loans - Business and Construction loans

The Cuyahoga County Microenterprise Loan Program is designed to provide access to capital and technical counseling to aspiring new business owners finding it difficult to obtain traditional financing.

Instrument Loans

NoteWorthy FCU specialty loans for musical instruments-new & vintage & audio equipment

CAP Loan (Creative Arts Project)

Creative Arts Project loans

Emergency Loan Fund

Artists, musicians, and other people working in the arts in Northeast Ohio are eligible to borrow up to $2,500 with no interest and no payments for twelve months to replace lost income.

Small Business Stabilization Fund Loan

The Small Business Stabilization Fund brings together partners from across Cuyahoga County to support small businesses during the crisis. The program offers two types of financial assistance for small businesses: Stabilization Grants and Stabilization Loans.

Interest Free Loans - HFLA

The Hebrew Free Loan Assocation (non-sectarian) lends money interest free to responsible individuals in need.

Advantage Plus Loan Program (City of Euclid Only - Home Purchases)

With the preferences set up for potential owner-occupant buyers through Cuyahoga Land Bank's Owner Occupant Buyer Advantage Program (OOBAP), there are still financial barriers that make purchasing a home to renovate difficult for some buyers. Currently, OOBAP participants are required to provide proof of funds to cover the acquisition, renovation costs, and a 10% renovation cost reserve of the property they purchase; the Advantage Plus Loan Program helps address this financial challenge.

AAWR Corporate Art Loan

The Corporate Art Loan Program of AAWR is a membership and sponsorship feature that offers Cleveland area companies many rewarding benefits in exchange for annual financial support of AAWR and its mission of preserving this region’s art.A

by Assembly for the Arts

12 arts orgs receive $7.55-million

PRESS RELEASE: November 1, 2022

Media Contact: Malissa Bodmann; 216-536-7517

12 CUYAHOGA COUNTY ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED $7.55-MILLION IN STATE CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION

CLEVELAND, OH – The State of Ohio’s 2023-2024 capital appropriations budget awarded $7.55 million to arts and culture organizations in Cuyahoga County, providing critical funding to allow building projects and improvements to move forward. The state funds were distributed in September 2022.

“A robust creative economy is crucial to the vitality of Cuyahoga County. As we wrap up National Arts and Humanities Month, we wanted to salute the commitment to the arts from the Cuyahoga delegation and the other members of the Ohio General Assembly who voted to invest in arts and culture,” Jeremy Johnson, President and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, said. “Each dollar that we spend strengthening the creative sector brings dividends back to the local economy.”

Cuyahoga County’s nationally recognized arts and culture sector comprises diverse and wide-ranging nonprofit institutions, individual artists, and small businesses. Prior to the pandemic, the local creative economy generated $9.1 billion annually and supported 62,500 jobs.

State Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) said he was pleased to support capital improvements for arts and culture in Cuyahoga County. “It’s important that our communities will reap benefits from the capital bill. This investment will help our region and bring growth to our jobs and economy across the state,” he said. “Our region’s arts and culture sector is an economic engine that contributes to the quality of life for every Northeast Ohio resident.”

State Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood), a champion for arts and culture, said “capital investments in arts and culture strengthen our local economies and increase access to cultural experiences that reflect the diversity of our region. Northeast Ohio residents will benefit from cultural facilities that will be brighter, safe and more accessible.”

Funding for the following 12 capital projects will bring improvements and expansion to their respective facilities across the county. The projects include restorations, renovations, major maintenance, design and safety enhancements. The investments will ultimately enhance the vibrancy of the region and boost travel and tourism in the area.

Eric Mendelsohn Park Synagogue Campus Restoration	$1,000,000
Playhouse Square	$1,000,000
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Expansion	$1,000,000
Cleveland Museum of Art Horace Kelley Art Foundation Lobby Renovation Phase II	$900,000
Cleveland Museum of Natural History	$900,000
The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA)	$550,000
Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum	$500,000
Kulas Hall Renovation – Cleveland Institute of Music	$500,000
Severance Music Center, Home of The Cleveland Orchestra	$500,000
New Bridge Cleveland Center for Arts and Technology	$325,000
Beck Center for the Arts	$200,000
Karamu House Educational Wing Renovations	$175,000

“Bolstering the arts and culture ecosystem will help our economy recover from the pandemic,” said Fred Bidwell, Assembly for the Arts Board of Trustees President. “A stronger creative sector brings more money to local retail, restaurants and lodging. We are grateful for this vital State support for our essential arts and culture institutions.”

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ABOUT

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 by design operates in close partnership with Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, a government agency, and Assembly for Action, a 501(c)4 political action nonprofit to serve the entire creative sector. 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, Fred & Laura Beth Bidwell, and Barbara S. Robinson. www.assemblycle.org

by Assembly for the Arts

WAGE Session for Artists and Groups that Hire Them

Assembly for the Arts Workbench Session: A Conversation with W.A.G.E.

Virtual Event: November 3, 2022, 4:30 – 6 p.m. ET

Assembly for the Arts is bringing artist and organizer, Lise Soskolne, to the Workbench Session on November 3, 2022.

During this virtual session, Lise, a co-founder and core organizer of Working Artists in the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E.) will introduce its primary programs, W.A.G.E. Certification and WAGENCY, and discuss W.A.G.E.’s broader effort to organize artists, institutions, and soon art workers, around a shared politics of labor. A group discussion will follow.

Since its founding in 2008, W.A.G.E.’s work has developed in service of a single achievable goal — regulating the payment of artist fees in the nonprofit sector. In the context of contemporary art, in which the unpaid labor of artists supports a multi billion-dollar industry, W.A.G.E.’s mission is to establish sustainable economic relationships between artists and the institutions that contract artists’ labor, and to introduce mechanisms for self-regulation into the art field that collectively bring about a more equitable distribution of its economy.

About Lise Soskolne

Lise Soskolne is an artist with over 15 years of work experience in arts presenting, administration and development at downtown New York City nonprofits. Since the late 1990s these have included Anthology Film Archives, Artists Space, Diapason Gallery for Sound, Meredith Monk/The House Foundation for the Arts, Participant Inc, and Roulette Intermedium. Along with many others, she is a co-founder of W.A.G.E. and has been its core organizer since 2012.

W.A.G.E. Certified institutions in OH

Wave Pool, Cincinnati, OH
FRONT International, Cleveland, OH
Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, Cleveland, OH

by Assembly for the Arts

2022 Public Officials Honor Roll

Many public officials throughout Northeast Ohio have supported arts and culture for years. All that these representatives have done and continue to do to make arts and culture a true partner does not go unnoticed. Thank you for continuing to build policies supportive of arts and culture, and also, thank you for continuing to include and call on creative industries to help you meet the needs of your communities.

In recognition of their attendance at the Public Officials Recognition Breakfast that indicates their acknowledgement of the importance of arts and culture, the 2022 Arts and Culture Honor Roll includes the following individuals. Thank you for all you do, to ensure Northeast Ohio arts and culture communities not only thrive, but remain embedded into the fabric of our region.