FRONT International, Case Western Reserve University and The Assembly for the Arts to Host The Art Futures Forum on September 16 and 17

FRONT International, Case Western Reserve University and The Assembly for the Arts to Host The Art Futures Forum on September 16 and 17

This first-ever summit will focus on equity in the visual arts from an academic, institutional and community perspective.

(Cleveland, OH – September 9, 2022) — FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art, in partnership with Case Western Reserve University and Assembly for the Arts, is pleased to announce a two-day conference taking place September 16–17, 2022, to engage the public in conversations about how arts institutions can better reflect and fulfill the needs of their communities. The Cleveland Museum of Art will host the first day of the conference at Gartner Auditorium. The following day will occur at the Samson Pavilion, within Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic's joint Health Education Campus.

"We are excited to launch this unprecedented gathering of leaders in our arts community," said Fred Bidwell, Executive Director of FRONT International. "This partnership with Case Western Reserve University and The Assembly for the Arts is a promising opportunity for thought leaders in our community to collaborate on ways that arts and culture can better reflect and serve our communities. We hope to repeat the Art Futures Forum during the next edition of FRONT in 2025 so that we can benchmark our progress."

Its first day serves as the 48th annual edition of The Cleveland Symposium—one of the longest-running yearly art history graduate symposia in the United States—organized by students in Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Museum of Art's joint graduate program. This year's Symposium is entitled Recentering the Periphery: An Inclusive Future of Art History and will feature presentations by visiting scholars and graduate students from universities across the country. These presentations will explore how scholars and institutions can help reshape art historical narratives and recenter subjects long treated as peripheral, broadening the boundaries of the traditionally defined art historical canon and curriculum in an endeavor towards a more equitable future for the discipline.

The second day of the Art Futures Forum will focus on how cultural institutions can better share stories of creative expression and consider new models to serve and empower their communities. The day will start with a panel discussion with the leaders of major arts institutions in Northeast Ohio, moderated by Jennifer Coleman, Program Director, Creative Culture and Art for the George Gund Foundation. The panel will be Fred Bidwell, Executive Director of FRONT International; Bill Griswold, Director of the Cleveland Museum of Art; Jon Fiume, Director of the Akron Art Museum; Kathryn Heidemann, President of the Cleveland Institute of Art; and Megan Lykins-Reich, Director of moCa Cleveland. After several years of turbulence and reflection in the museum field, these leaders will discuss what they have done and are planning to do to meet the heightened expectations of the communities they serve. Following the panel and lunch, attendees can choose to participate in one of a selection of Community Conversations. These Community Conversations aim to create a space for neighborhood-focused community leaders and artists to introduce their initiatives and discuss how institutions and individuals with access can leverage their power in support of initiatives in underserved communities as part of their equity efforts. By convening artists, arts administrators, funders, scholars, and creative entrepreneurs, the Art Futures Forum hopes to foster meaningful connections and inspire purposeful actions.

Day one programming is presented with support from the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities, Nancy and Joseph Keithley, and Friends of Art. Programming for day two is presented with support by the George Gund Foundation and The Terra Foundation.

About FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art
Launched in 2018, FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art is a free, public contemporary art exhibition comprising artist commissions, performances, films, and public programs. The inaugural edition brought over 90,000 visitors from more than 25 countries and generated $31 million in economic impact in the region. Oh, Gods of Dust and Rainbows, the second iteration of FRONT International will run from July 16 through October 2, 2022. Building on the first edition's success, FRONT 2022 furthers the Triennial's commitment to the belief that by supporting creative communities and stimulating new cultural encounters in the region, contemporary art can be an essential catalyst for positive social change. For more information, visit frontart.org or follow @FRONTtriennial.

About Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is one of the country's leading private research institutions. Located in Cleveland, we offer a unique combination of forward-thinking educational opportunities in an inspiring cultural setting. Our leading-edge faculty engage in teaching and research in a collaborative, hands-on environment. Our nationally recognized programs include arts and sciences, dental medicine, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing and social work. About 5,800 undergraduate and 6,300 graduate students comprise our student body. Visit case.edu to see how Case Western Reserve thinks beyond the possible.

About Assembly for the Arts
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

Press Contacts

Hunter Braithwaite
Director, Cultural Counsel
hunter@culturalcounsel.com

Emma Frohardt
Account Executive, Cultural Counsel
emma@culturalcounsel.com

Devon Ma
Account Coordinator, Cultural Counsel
devon@culturalcounsel.com

by Assembly for the Arts

Assembly for the Arts Selects Arts Leadership Residency Cohort

PRESS RELEASE: September 7, 2022
Media Contact: Malissa Bodmann | 216-536-7517

Assembly for the Arts Selects Arts Leadership Residency Cohort

26 participants represent individual artists, nonprofits and creative businesses

CLEVELAND, OHIO — Assembly for the Arts has named the first cohort of the Arts Leadership Residency in partnership with the Cleveland Leadership Center (CLC). The 26 participants reflect Assembly’s commitment to increase equity in the arts and culture sector. Of the 25 who responded, more than 70% identify as Black or African American, 68% are women, 12% are nonbinary, 16% live with a disability.

The program provides management support, coaching, and tools to artists, cultural nonprofits, and small- to mid-sized creative businesses. Expanding on the model of traditional artist residencies, the Arts Leadership Residency offers a $1,000 stipend and dedicated learning sessions to address a self-defined business goal or objective. Participants will have access to entrepreneurial expertise, mentorship from the CLC alumni network, and expertise of the other artists and small creative businesses participating in the program.

The Arts Leadership Residency begins September 2022 and runs through February 2023.

The artists selected for the program are:

• Amanda Dian King, Amanda D. King Studio
• Antwoine Washington, Museum of Creative Human Art
• Ashley Rowell, ATNSC
• Charde Young
• Charmaine Spencer
• Christina Keegan
• Cierra Rembert
• Denise Astorino, LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
• Diana Chittester
• Diane M. Troyer
• Ephraim Abdullah, AfricaHouse International
• Erykah Townsend
• Gina Washington, The Visit Arts Collective and Mateza Gallery
• Jonathan Lee Thomas, FashionTV Network/Great Lakes TV
• Kierra McDade, Temple of Passions
• Maegen Holm
• Mary Kay Thomas, Rhythmic Artistry
• Kayli Salzano, Waterloo Arts
• Nicole  Hatcher, Foluke Cultural Arts Center, Inc
• Odin Blak, Dark Blak Studios
• Robin Robinson, Sankofa Fine Art Plus
• Samuel McIntosh, 10K Movement
• Talise Campbell, Djapo Cultural Arts Institute
• Tanya Kaiser, Kaiser Gallery
• Valerie Mayen, Yellowcake Shop
• Zuggie Tate, Black Space Inc.

“We are thrilled to launch this cohort to strengthen a talented and diverse group of artists through the Arts Leadership Residency, powered by Huntington and the Huntington Entrepreneur in Residence program,” said Jeremy Johnson, president and CEO of Assembly for the Arts. “These artists, nonprofits and creative businesses are already impactful in their work, but the coaching with an equity lens from Cleveland Leadership Center will help take their work to the next level. The program was designed to help artists, especially artists of color, break down barriers to success through access to business resources, networking and dedicated time. ”

Assembly received support from the Entrepreneur In Residence Powered by Huntington and The George Gund Foundation for the development of this program. The George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation and the ArtsNEXT program of the Ohio Arts Council provided additional support to the Arts Leadership Residency

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

Cleveland Leadership Center (CLC) provides collaborative leadership training, civic education and connections to leaders of all ages, empowering them to identify and take action on issues that resonate with them and positioning them to become change agents in the community. www.cleveleads.org

Entrepreneur in Residence powered by Huntington https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/huntington-bank-and-city-of-cleveland-announce-entrepreneurship-program-to-help-regions-small-businesses-grow-301468659.html

by Assembly for the Arts

Cuyahoga County to Participate in National ‘Arts & Economic Prosperity 6’ Study 

For immediate release: August 31, 2022

Press Contact: Malissa Bodmann
(216) 536-7517
malissa@compellingcommunicationsllc.com

Cuyahoga County to Participate in National ‘Arts & Economic Prosperity 6’ Study 

Data Collection for Most Comprehensive Study of Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry 

Cleveland, Ohio - Assembly for the Arts is pleased to participate in Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States. Administered by Americans for the Arts, AEP6 will examine the economic impact of the arts and culture in Cuyahoga County and 386 additional communities representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 

The Arts & Economic Prosperity® series is conducted approximately every five years to gauge the economic impact of spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and the event-related spending by their audiences. In 2017, AEP5 documented that the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $166.3 billion in economic activity (spending by organizations plus the event-related spending by their audiences) which supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in government revenue. The AEP series demonstrates that an investment in the arts provides both cultural and economic benefits. 

Audience-intercept surveys will be collected from people attending arts events in Cuyahoga County through April 2023—in total, the national sample is anticipated to surpass 250,000 surveys. A survey of nonprofit arts and culture organizations will occur from January through April 2023. The national and local findings will be made public in September 2023. At that time, Assembly for the Arts will receive a customized report on the unique economic impact results for Cuyahoga County including the number of jobs that are supported and the amount of government revenue that is generated by our community’s nonprofit arts industry. 

Americans for the Arts is committed to addressing equity and inclusion as a critical component of the methodology, organizational participation, and collection of data for AEP6 by centering and representing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, Native American) identifying communities—a segment of the nonprofit arts and culture sector that has been underrepresented in past studies. 

The AEP6 study will establish a benchmark of arts and culture organizations that primarily serve communities of color, and the audiences that attend their events. It will also identify organizations that have a chief executive who identifies as BIPOC/ALAANA. Researchers will use this data to calculate and report on the economic impact of the BIPOC/ALAANA arts sector in each of the participating communities. 

According to Jeremy V. Johnson, president and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, “This a beautiful opportunity to be part of a bold endeavor to clearly demonstrate and quantify with hard data the economic and social benefit the arts and culture industry brings to local communities. Assembly is poised to lead AEP6 and partner with organizations who have long committed to protecting, preserving, and growing equitable and inclusive communities through arts and culture.” 

Nolen V. Bivens, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, commented, “The arts are economic catalysts—strengthening the economy by creating jobs, generating government revenue, and driving tourism. Community is where the arts make a difference, and while the national impact data are impressive, at its core, AEP6 is a local story. I look forward to seeing its results, which will be key in persuading decision-makers that the arts benefit all people in all communities.” 

Please visit Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) for more information and a full list of the communities participating in the AEP6 study. 

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. 

www.assemblycle.org 

### 

by Assembly for the Arts