Research Highlights Strength of Cuyahoga County's Arts Ecosystem
New Research Highlights Strength of Cuyahoga County's Arts Ecosystem and Explores Long-Term Public Funding Models
CLEVELAND | July 21, 2026 — Assembly for the Arts recently announced the release of Research on Public Funding of the Arts to Inform Cuyahoga County, a new study examining how arts and culture are funded in peer communities across the country and what those approaches may reveal about sustainable long-term cultural investment.
Conducted by SMU DataArts and Lord Cultural Resources, the research compares Cuyahoga County with peer communities across the region and nation to surface patterns, challenges, and considerations for future discussion.
The report comes on the heels of the recently released City Arts Sector Trends: Divergence and Resilience Across Ten U.S. Cities (2019–2024) from SMU DataArts, which identified Cleveland as one of the more resilient arts ecosystems among the ten cities studied. Together, the reports suggest that Cleveland’s strong foundation of local arts investment has helped support a vibrant cultural sector, while underscoring the importance of long-term planning to sustain that success.
The study of funding models finds that Cuyahoga County enters this moment with significant strengths, including a vibrant arts ecosystem, strong individual giving, and a nationally recognized public funding model through the county’s dedicated cigarette tax. The research identifies projected declines in revenue from the tax as well as rising costs for local arts organizations that are outpacing contributed revenue as potential risks for the sector.
“Cuyahoga County’s arts and culture community is one of Greater Cleveland’s greatest strengths,” said Jeremy Johnson, president and CEO of Assembly for the Arts. “This research confirms what many in our community already know: Cuyahoga County has built a remarkable arts ecosystem supported by strong public and private investment. At the same time, it gives us valuable information to help inform future conversations about how we can continue to sustain and strengthen that success for generations to come.”
Among the report’s findings is that the most resilient funding systems often layer multiple sources of support rather than relying on a single mechanism. Looking across peer communities, the research surfaces two ideas worth further exploration in future conversations about arts funding:
- Revenue diversification. Dedicated funding mechanisms tied to economic activity may provide more durable revenue capacity over time than fixed-rate approaches alone.
- Regional collaboration. Multi-jurisdiction approaches can help build broader coalitions of support and create greater resilience against shifts in funding priorities or economic conditions.
Researchers reviewed funding approaches in 15 communities nationwide and conducted deeper examinations of funding systems in Columbus, Denver, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and Portland. The review identified five primary funding approaches currently in use across the country:
- Hotel-motel or transient occupancy taxes
- General fund appropriations
- Privately led funding models
- Dedicated arts taxes
- Collaborative or hybrid public-private models
The research found that no single funding mechanism dominates nationally. Instead, many communities combine multiple approaches to balance stability, flexibility, and scale.
The study was commissioned by Assembly for the Arts with support from The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, and Cuyahoga County. Research was conducted by SMU DataArts and Lord Cultural Resources.
The full report is available at https://assemblycle.org/arts-funding-future/.
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About Assembly for the Arts
Assembly for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening and advancing Greater Cleveland’s arts and culture sector. The organization champions advocacy, cultural policy, racial equity, research, and regional promotion, while providing essential services and resources to nonprofits, artists, and creative businesses. Assembly serves the entire creative sector, working in tandem with Assembly for Action, a 501(c)(4) political action nonprofit, to champion public and private investments that unify Greater Cleveland’s arts and culture industry. Learn more at https://assemblycle.org.
Ohio General Assembly Invests More Than $9 Million in Arts and Culture Organizations in Cuyahoga County
Ohio General Assembly Invests More Than $9 Million in Arts and Culture Organizations in Cuyahoga County
CLEVELAND, OH | July 14, 2026 — More than $9 million has been allocated to 24 arts, culture, and heritage projects across Cuyahoga County through Ohio’s recently enacted biennial capital budget (SB 450), marking a major investment in the region’s creative economy and community infrastructure.
According to Assembly for the Arts, cultural, arts, and heritage projects received more than $9 million of the approximately $37 million in total state capital funding awarded in Cuyahoga County—nearly 25% of all county allocations. The funding will support critical facility improvements, renovations, and public space enhancements that strengthen communities and expand access to arts and cultural experiences throughout Northeast Ohio.
“This is a transformational moment for our region,” said Jeremy Johnson, President and CEO of Assembly for the Arts. “The state legislature and Governor DeWine have sent a clear message that investing in the arts is investing in community resilience and economic vitality. From our legacy institutions to our neighborhood anchors, this funding ensures that our creative spaces can safely and effectively serve future generations.”
Funded projects span the county, supporting both nationally recognized cultural institutions and neighborhood-based community organizations. Investments include infrastructure improvements at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Playhouse Square, as well as enhancements for community-centered organizations such as Near West Theatre, Dobama Theatre, and Beck Center for the Arts.
The capital budget also supports key place-making and public space initiatives, including improvements to University Circle’s Wade Oval and the Irishtown Bend Park Heritage Site, helping strengthen the cultural and civic assets that contribute to the region’s quality of life and economic growth.
A full list of funded capital projects in Cuyahoga County is available through the Ohio Legislative Service Commission: Capital Projects by County (SB 450).
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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 serves the entire creative sector, working in tandem with Assembly for Action, a 501(c)(4) political action nonprofit, to champion public and private investments that unify Greater Cleveland’s arts and culture industry.
The Future of Arts Funding in Cuyahoga County
The Future of Arts Funding in Cuyahoga County
New research from Assembly for the Arts, SMU DataArts, and Lord Cultural Resources examines the current state of arts funding in Cuyahoga County, analyzes peer funding models from across the country, and explores opportunities for long-term resilience.
Key Takeaways
Explore the main takeaways of the report.
Read the Report
Click on the button below to access the full data report.
Why This Report Matters
The arts and culture sector is a vital contributor to quality of life, economic activity, and community vitality. Yet arts organizations are navigating rising costs, shifting revenue streams, and increasing competition for philanthropic and public funding.
While Cuyahoga County remains a national leader in public arts support, the region’s primary public funding source—a dedicated cigarette tax—faces long-term challenges as smoking rates continue to decline. This report explores how communities across the country are funding arts and culture and what lessons may help inform future conversations about cultural investment in Greater Cleveland.
In this report, you will discover:
How five U.S. regions fund arts and culture through different public revenue models.
The tradeoffs between stability, flexibility, and equity across funding systems.
The role of government, nonprofits, and cultural institutions in administering public funds.
Key lessons and considerations for communities evaluating future cultural funding strategies.
Five Key Takeaways
Cuyahoga Is Among the Nation's Most Arts-Vibrant Communities
The county consistently ranks among the top arts ecosystems in the United States, supported by strong public and private investment.
Rising Costs Are Creating Pressure
Expenses increased 21% between 2022 and 2023 while contributed income declined.
Public Funding Creates Stability
Organizations receiving local public funding outperform non-funded peers in attendance recovery and earned revenue generation.
Strong Systems Layer Revenue Sources
Research from peer regions suggests that communities with multiple funding streams are often better positioned to weather economic and political change.
Dedicated Funding Works—But Has Limits
The cigarette tax has provided exceptional stability, but revenues have declined 34% since 2016 due to reduced cigarette consumption.
Dive Deeper into the Data
These findings are just the beginning. Explore detailed case studies, funding structures, governance models, equity approaches, and operational insights from Denver, Pittsburgh, Portland, Minneapolis, and Columbus.
Five Cities. Five Approaches to Public Arts Funding.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to arts funding. The report examines five communities that have built distinct funding systems based on their local priorities, governance structures, and economic conditions.
Denver
Regional Sales Tax
A voter-approved regional sales tax provides long-term, dedicated funding for cultural and scientific organizations across seven counties.
Pittsburgh
County Sales Tax
A permanent countywide sales tax funds cultural institutions, libraries, parks, and other regional assets through a statutory allocation system.
Portland
Arts Income Tax
A flat annual arts tax supports arts education and cultural programming, with funding priorities established through city code.
Minneapolis
General Fund Support
Arts funding is primarily allocated through the city’s annual budget process, making support directly tied to municipal fiscal conditions.
Columbus
Admissions & Tourism Taxes
Revenue from entertainment admissions and hotel stays helps fund grants, artists, festivals, and cultural organizations citywide.
What We Learned from Peer Communities
Layer Funding Sources
The most resilient systems combine multiple revenue streams.
Design for Equity
Funding outcomes are shaped by structural design, not just grant guidelines.
Think Regionally
Regional approaches can strengthen political support and financial sustainability.
Build for the Long Term
Dedicated funding mechanisms work best when designed to adapt to changing economic conditions.
Strength Today. Resilience Tomorrow.
Cuyahoga County enters this moment from a position of strength. It ranks among the nation’s most arts-vibrant communities, leads peer regions in individual giving, and benefits from one of the country’s most recognized public arts funding mechanisms.
Yet the most durable arts funding systems are those that continuously evolve alongside changing economic conditions, community needs, and funding landscapes. Through analysis of local trends and peer communities across the country, this report explores how funding structures can support both stability and adaptability over the long term.
The opportunity ahead is clear: build on a successful foundation while planning for the future.
Explore the Broader Conversation
Discover additional research, stories, and resources examining arts funding, cultural policy, community impact, and the future of Greater Cleveland’s creative sector.
Northeast Ohio’s Cultural Future: What Cities Can Teach Us About Cultural Investment
Analysis of Cultural Sectors Across 10 U.S. Cities Reveals Divergence in Financial Health Since Pandemic
Ideastream: New reports praise Cuyahoga County public arts funding, look beyond cigarette tax
Stay Connected
Interested in future research, data insights, and conversations about arts and culture in Cuyahoga County?
Acknowledgements
This research was made possible through the generous support of the funders below who recognized the importance of this work for Cuyahoga County.
This research was commissioned by Assembly for the Arts and made completed through a partnership with SMU DataArts and Lord Cultural Resources.
What is a Cultural Plan? Lessons from Four Cities
What is a Cultural Plan? Lessons from Four Cities
Thursday, July 30, 2026
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Doors at 11:15am / Lunch at 11:30am / Forum begins 12:00pm
The City Club of Cleveland
1317 Euclid Avenue, Suite 100 Cleveland, OH 44115
Across the country, communities are increasingly turning to cultural planning to support and grow their creative economies. Whether a city is actively drafting its first vision or beginning to activate it, the process requires constant adaptation, collaboration, and shared learning.
This forum explores the practical tradeoffs, constraints, and successes of shaping local culture at every stage of development. Featured arts leaders will share insights from peer communities on how these ongoing planning efforts play out amid civic and economic realities—offering an open space to learn from peer communities, ask questions, and deepen shared understanding about what cultural planning can look like in practice, while reflecting on Cleveland’s evolving cultural landscape.
Meet the Panelists
This session will be moderated by Jennifer Coleman, Program Director of Creative Culture and Art at The George Gund Foundation.
Patrick Fisher
Valerie V. Gay
Mary McNamara Bernsten
Nicole Mullet
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
This forum is presented by a partnership between Assembly for the Arts, the City Club of Cleveland, and The Gund Foundation. Assembly for the Arts was awarded a grant from The Gund Foundation to organize and assemble this discussion. The panel and luncheon event will be hosted by our friends at The City Club of Cleveland.
Yes, a ticket is required. Tickets can be purchased via The City Club here.
City Club Member Ticket Cost: $30
Non-Member Ticket Cost: $45
Online ticket sales for this forum will conclude on Tuesday, July 28th at 11:30am.
The event will be livestreamed for free. Virtual attendees can still participate in the event’s Q&A portion via The City Club’s messaging platform (details will be provided during the forum). Those who are interested in receiving a reminder before the event goes live can sign up here.
For those unable to attend or who would like to revisit the event, the panel discussion will be available via a recording after the live event.
The idea for this City Club event originated in June 2025 when Jeremy Johnson and Jennifer Coleman attended the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention in Cincinnati. During the conference, they attended a presentation by Rockford, Illinois, on the city’s recent cultural planning process and were impressed by the work being done there. Representatives from Philadelphia were also in attendance, and after the session, Jeremy and Jennifer engaged them in a lengthy conversation about Philadelphia’s own cultural planning efforts.
Inspired by these discussions, they felt it would be valuable to bring these communities to Cleveland to share their experiences and lessons learned. Akron was invited because of its proximity and because, despite being a smaller city than Cleveland, it has made remarkable progress in implementing its cultural plan. Pittsburgh was included as well, given its similarities to Cleveland in terms of size, history, and regional context, offering another relevant perspective on cultural planning and execution.
For Assembly, the past year has been a powerful period of deep research and national data gathering. This summer, we are proud to transition into a phase of broad civic collaboration. We’re sharing our findings to catalyze new ideas alongside artists, arts organizations, philanthropy, and public partners.
For example, we just completed a comparative study with SMU DataArts on national public funding models (which will be published on this website). Bringing in leaders from other cities allows us to build directly on that momentum. We’re looking at real-world examples of how peer communities navigate advocacy, funding, politics, artist empowerment, and economic development.
The City of Cleveland is a valued stakeholder and vital partner in conversations surrounding the future of our creative economy. However, this panel was independently conceived by Assembly to serve as an open, collaborative civic space building on our capacity as a convener and researcher.
That said, we are delighted that many partners, including representatives from the City of Cleveland, local artists, and philanthropists, are at the table as we explore insights from sister cities that might be relevant to our cultural landscape.
At its core, this is a learning panel and a vehicle for civic exploration. Having previously led a comprehensive cultural planning process in Newark, New Jersey (Newark Creates), Assembly’s President and CEO Jeremy Johnson recognizes the immense practical value of asking peer cities to share their direct experiences.
This forum brings together diverse sectors—artists, creative businesses, public officials, and philanthropists—to deepen our collective understanding, recognize what is working across the country, and anticipate challenges and opportunities ahead.
Presented by
Center for Arts-Inspired Learning and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Partner for 2026 Play It Forward!® Cleveland Instrument Drive at Fam Jam
Center for Arts-Inspired Learning and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Partner for 2026 Play It Forward!® Cleveland Instrument Drive at Fam Jam
CLEVELAND, OH (June 2026) — The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are once again joining forces to expand access to music education for Cleveland youth through the 2026 Play It Forward!® Cleveland Instrument Drive.
Community members are invited to support the effort by donating new or gently used musical instruments at Fam Jam on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 1100 E. 9th Street, Cleveland. Fam Jam, part of the Rock Hall’s annual free Rock the Block Community Events presented by the John P. Murphy Foundation, features family-friendly activities, live performances, and community organizations from across Northeast Ohio.
CAL is seeking donations of acoustic guitars, violins, keyboards (excluding large pianos), and drums or percussion instruments, including specific drums such as djembe and timbau. Instruments can be dropped off at the event, and donors are encouraged to complete a short form and share the story behind their instrument. The pre-event donation form and more details are available at arts-inspiredlearning.org/play-it-forward-instrument-drive.
As part of Fam Jam, youth participating in CAL’s Summer 2026 Inspiration Through Music camp will perform around 1:15 p.m., showcasing the progress they’ve made and demonstrating the direct impact of instrument donations in providing meaningful music education opportunities.
Now entering another year of impact, Play It Forward!® Cleveland supports CAL’s Inspiration Through Music program, which offers free, year-round music instruction to Cleveland residents and Cleveland Metropolitan School District students in grades 3–12. Through lessons in guitar, violin, percussion, keyboard, and ensemble, the program helps young people develop musical skills, confidence, discipline, and self-expression while removing financial barriers to participation.
Thanks to the generosity of community supporters, the 2025 instrument drive collected more than 40 instruments, now actively used by young musicians in the program. The 2026 drive aims to build on that momentum, ensuring even more youth have access to the instruments they need to learn and grow.
Play It Forward!® Cleveland 2026 Instrument Drive is made possible through the support of: 10,000 Watts of Holy Light, Assembly for the Arts, City of Cleveland, including the Mayor’s Office of Prevention, Intervention, and Opportunity for Youth and Young Adults, Cleveland City Council, including Councilman Kevin Conwell, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, IKE Smart City, John J. Adams Scholarship Fund, Ohio Arts Council, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Together, these partnerships help ensure that every young person has the opportunity to discover their voice, build confidence, and experience the transformative power of music.
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. 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. Learn more here: https://assemblycle.org
About the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning
The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) was founded in 1953 as Young Audiences of Greater Cleveland by George Szell of The Cleveland Orchestra, launching as a concert series to bring live music directly into schools. Since then, CAL has grown beyond concerts to provide hands-on creative learning experiences across dance, theater, music, visual arts, digital arts, and more. In 2013, the organization changed its name to Center for Arts-Inspired Learning to reflect this expanded focus on engaging youth through the arts to support learning, growth, and opportunity across Northeast Ohio. Today, CAL partners with 70+ professional teaching artists to bring arts-based learning that is academically enriching and personally empowering to youth in PreK–12th grade. Our programs take place in schools, recreation centers, houses of worship, and other youth-centered spaces, reaching thousands of young people each year. We are committed to creating accessible and inclusive opportunities for all youth, helping them realize their full potential, and making a lasting impact on their lives and the communities we serve. Through these experiences, youth build critical thinking, creativity, and social emotional skills needed to thrive in school and beyond. Learn more here: https://arts-inspiredlearning.org
About the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
In 1985, when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was deciding where to open its physical museum, Cleveland threw its hat into the ring for consideration. Thanks to a groundswell of public support and a $65 million commitment from city officials, the Foundation chose Cleveland as the winning site, over locales such as New York, San Francisco, Memphis and Chicago. Needless to say, the Rock Hall’s construction was cooler than most. On June 7, 1993, the Who’s Pete Townshend, Chuck Berry, Billy Joel, Sam Phillips, and Ruth Brown (to name a few) attended the Cleveland groundbreaking ceremony, while Jerry Lee Lewis performed a year later when the building was finished off with the placement of one last steel beam.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame threw open its doors on September 2, 1995, and celebrated with a blockbuster benefit concert at nearby Cleveland Municipal Stadium. This marathon show featured once-in-a-lifetime pairings and performances by greats such as James Brown, Bob Dylan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash and Booker T. and the M.G.s. Besides the Municipal Stadium concert, the Rock Hall’s festive opening weekend featured a downtown Cleveland parade and a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Little Richard and Yoko Ono. Learn more here: https://rockhall.com/
Assembly for the Arts Opens Applications for Creative Impact Fund Artist Grants
Assembly for the Arts Opens Applications for Creative Impact Fund Artist Grants
CLEVELAND, May 14, 2026 — Assembly for the Arts has opened the application for its 2026 Creative Impact Fund (CIF) grant program for Cuyahoga County artists. This year, the CIF will award twenty-two (22) forward-thinking artists and creatives with $10,000 each in unrestricted funds.
In its fourth year, the Creative Impact Fund is currently one of the largest unrestricted grant opportunities available to Cuyahoga County artists. By providing flexible funds and professional development support, the program is designed to promote the growth of artists’ creative practices and advance their impact on our region. The application period is open until July 17, 2026, with the selected artists to be announced in November 2026.
The CIF is open to artists age 18 and older living in Cuyahoga County who have been creating impactful and inventive work in craft, dance, design, film, interdisciplinary work, media, music, theatre & performance, traditional arts, visual art, and writing/literary art.
“Artists and creatives enrich our region and drive it forward. As is evidenced by previous Creative Impact Fund awardees, their work sparks joy, makes space for healing and builds connection across differences. They also tell the truths that demand attention, pushing us toward a more just society,” said Deidre McPherson, Assembly’s Chief Community Officer. “We are proud to continue this investment in local artists so they can grow their practices and continue to create works that move us toward a greater Cleveland.”
Artists will be selected for funding by a review panel comprised of artists and arts professionals representing a wide range of creative disciplines. Panelists from outside the region will evaluate applications based on criteria that center artistic innovation and community impact.
Awarded artists will receive:
- $10,000 in unrestricted funds each
- Promotion as a CIF grantee on Assembly’s website, social media and other platforms
- A one-year Assembly for the Arts Membership
- Business and professional development opportunities, including marketing, networking, connections to partners or potential collaborators
- Special access to opportunities as they arise throughout the year
Important Dates:
- Applications now open
- Applications close: Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Panel review and scoring: August – October 2026
- Applicants notified of panel decisions: November 2026
Assembly will offer two online information sessions: May 20th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., and June 4th from 12 to 1:30 p.m. More information is available on Assembly’s website.
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 Creative Impact Fund, please visit https://assemblycle.org/CIF/.
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Assembly for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that unifies Greater Cleveland’s creative sector by coordinating information, partnerships, and opportunities and advocating for strong public and private investment in arts and culture. It supports nonprofits, artists, and creative businesses through research, policy, and sector-wide services, working closely with Assembly for Action, a 501(c)(4) advocacy affiliate. Learn more at assemblycle.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Malissa Bodmann
Where Art Meets Water
Where Art Meets Water:Integrating the Arts into Cleveland’s Waterfronts
June 24, 202611:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
MidTown Collaboration Center (RISE Conference Room)
Quarterly meetings are $15 and include lunchMembers attend for free; login before you register
Cleveland’s waterfront is evolving fast—how will arts and culture help shape its future?
As major waterfront initiatives break ground across Cleveland, how can artists, creatives, and cultural organizations play a meaningful role in shaping development? This luncheon conversation will explore how embedding creatives throughout the entire lifecycle of projects leads to stronger, more innovative, and more connected waterfronts.
Meet Our Panelists & Moderator
Emily Bacha
Program Director, Fresh Water Institute
Keisha Gonzalez
CEO and Executive Director, LAND Studio
Scott Skinner
Executive Director, North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation
MODERATOR: Allison Lukacsy-Love
Director, Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC) // Kent State University
What to Expect
Together, we will explore:
- How arts and culture are currently being integrated into major waterfront initiatives
- What kinds of cultural investments may emerge as these projects evolve
- Opportunities for artists and creative organizations to engage before development is complete
- Strategies for embedding creativity into long-term visioning, design, and infrastructure
- What these initiatives could mean for individual artists and Cleveland’s broader creative ecosystem
Northeast Ohio's Cultural Future
This event has passed.
Northeast Ohio’s Cultural Future:
What Cities Can Teach Us About Cultural Investment
Explore how public investment in arts and culture compares across cities—and what it could mean for Northeast Ohio.
Assembly for the Arts invites you to join SMU DataArts and Lord Cultural Resources for a virtual research briefing that marks an early step in a long-term effort to build shared knowledge and help shape future conversations about cultural planning and public investment in Greater Cleveland.
Attendees can expect to gain a clearer understanding of the research findings and how they can inform future local decision-making and planning efforts.
Event Details
Monday, May 18, 2026
2-3 p.m.
Virtual
Free to Attend – Registration Required
About the Research
SMU DataArts and Lord Cultural Resources will share findings from a study examining public funding models for arts and culture. The research compares Cuyahoga County with peer communities across the region and the nation to surface patterns, challenges, and opportunities.
This study was commissioned by Assembly for the Arts with support from The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, and Cuyahoga County.
Event Program
The webinar will open with remarks from Jeremy Johnson, President & CEO of Assembly for the Arts, framing why this research matters now and how it connects to broader cultural planning efforts.
SMU DataArts and Lord Cultural Resources will then present key research insights, followed by a moderated panel.
Panelists:
- Jeremy Johnson, Assembly for the Arts
- Jeff Rusnak, R Strategy Group
- Sarah Sisser, CreativeOhio
- Moderator: Jennifer Benoit-Bryan, SMU DataArts
Panelists will reflect on the research and explore its implications for the Greater Cleveland region.
Presented By
With Support From
Films Exploring Creativity at CIFF 50
Art-Centric Films at the Cleveland International Film Festival
As the Cleveland International Film Festival marks its 50th year, Assembly for the Arts is proud to celebrate our longtime partners and friends at CIFF—an institution that has helped shape Northeast Ohio’s cultural landscape for half a century. CIFF is a gathering place for artists, audiences, and ideas, drawing thousands of residents and visitors into shared spaces of storytelling, dialogue, and discovery. Film, by its nature, is a collaborative art form—one that weaves together music, visual art, literature, performance, design, and technology—and CIFF’s anniversary lineup is a powerful reminder of how deeply cinema intersects with the broader creative ecosystem.
By amplifying diverse voices, supporting local and global artists, and activating theaters, neighborhoods, and conversations across the region, CIFF continues to demonstrate how the arts strengthen community, fuel connection, and contribute to a vibrant creative economy in Greater Cleveland.
Various films in this year’s festival lineup highlight how film connects to and elevates other artistic practices—from music and visual art to literature, performance, and storytelling in all its forms. The films below offer just a glimpse into how creativity crosses disciplines at CIFF50. We encourage readers to explore these selections, attend screenings across the region, and discover the power of creativity within film.
Use the buttons below to explore films celebrating, exploring, and commenting on art at CIFF 50:
Visual Arts, Artists, and Art History
Barbara Forever
An archive-driven documentary celebrating pioneering filmmaker Barbara Hammer and her enduring creative legacy.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 10 – 9:30 AM | Playhouse Square Complex
Sat, Apr 11 – 12:00 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
More info: Barbara Forever – CIFF Film Archives
Our Mr. Matsura
The story of early 20th‑century photographer Frank Matsura, whose images captured life in the American Northwest.
Screenings:
Wed, Apr 15 – 2:20 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Thu, Apr 16 – 5:10 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Paint Me a Road Out of Here
An incisive look at Faith Ringgold’s landmark artwork and its long journey toward institutional recognition.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 10 – 5:00 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Sat, Apr 11 – 12:15 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Paint Me a Road Out of Here – CIFF Film Archives
The Christophers
When the children of a celebrated artist hire a forger to complete his unfinished paintings, questions of authorship arise.
Screening:
Sun, Apr 12 – 5:00 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Music, Sound, and Musicians
Chopin, A Sonata in Paris
A sumptuous portrait of Frédéric Chopin navigating fame, illness, and obsession in 19th‑century Paris.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 10 – 2:30 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Sat, Apr 11 – 9:30 AM | Playhouse Square Complex
Don’t Forget Me
The official biography of rock ’n’ roll pioneer Eddie Cochran.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 10 – 7:20 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Sat, Apr 11 – 7:00 PM | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Charliebird
A moving story where music therapy becomes an emotional bridge between past and present.
Screening:
Sun, Apr 12 – 2:30 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
In the Ever
An intimate story following Sam Ellis, a mechanic, whose songs written for his dead mother become a surprise hit.
Screening:
Sun, Apr 12 – 5:00 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
On a String
A quietly funny look at the life of a freelance classical violist in New York City.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 10 – 5:15 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Sat, Apr 11 – 12:15 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Peter Asher: Everywhere Man
A music memoir tracing the life of the producer behind countless legendary recordings.
Screenings:
Wed, Apr 15 – 7:00 PM | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Thu, Apr 16 – 12:15 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Song Silenced: Coming Out in Christian Music
A revelatory documentary about queer artists challenging faith-based music spaces.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 17 – 3:00 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Sat, Apr 18 – 5:10 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Song Silenced: Coming Out In Christian Music – CIFF Film Archives
The Blind Couple from Mali
Musical legends Amadou & Mariam reunite to record a final album connected to their roots.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 10 – 12:10 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Sat, Apr 11 – 5:15 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Power Ballad (Closing Night)
A bittersweet, feel‑good film about songwriting, ambition, and recognition.
Screening:
Sat, Apr 18 – 7:30 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
The Soundman
A wartime love story told through radio waves, voice, and performance.
Screenings:
Thu, Apr 16 – 2:00 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Sat, Apr 18 – 9:15 AM | Playhouse Square Complex
You Had To Be There: How The Toronto Godspell Ignited The Comedy Revolution...
A documentary about how Toronto Godspell helped launch an entire generation of performers.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 10 – 2:35 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Sat, Apr 11 – 4:50 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Join Assembly for the Arts' Monthly Newsletter to keep up to date with the arts in Northeast Ohio.
Literature, Writing, and Storytelling
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Literature becomes resistance as women in Tehran secretly read banned novels.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 17 – 9:45 AM | Playhouse Square Complex
Sat, Apr 18 – 12:05 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Guess Who Is Calling?
A busy writer outsources daily life to finish his most personal work.
Screenings:
Thu, Apr 16 – 11:15 AM | Playhouse Square Complex
Fri, Apr 17 – 7:10 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Yesterday Island
A failed novelist hoping to break his writers block becomes trapped in a time loop.
Screenings:
Thu, Apr 16 – 9:45 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Fri, Apr 17 – 11:50 AM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Steal This Story, Please!
Journalism as creative resistance in this portrait of Amy Goodman.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 10 – 12:15 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Sun, Apr 12 – 2:40 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Steal This Story, Please! – CIFF Film Archives
Film, Performance, and the Creative Process
Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day
Four filmmakers pursue artistic freedom under political suspicion.
Screenings:
Thu, Apr 16 – 4:00 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Fri, Apr 17 – 9:15 AM | Playhouse Square Complex
Beyond
Performance becomes transformation inside Sing Sing prison.
Screenings:
Sun, Apr 12 – 7:35 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Tue, Apr 14 – 4:45 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Bravado
A meta‑thriller about screenwriting, power, and control.
Screenings:
Thu, Apr 16 – 4:50 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Fri, Apr 17 – 10:00 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Run Amok
An amateur harpist stages a musical reenactment of a traumatic event.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 17 – 7:30 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
Sat, Apr 18 – 2:45 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
We Are Pat
A joyful exploration of comedy, gender, and performance culture through the lens of the iconic “Saturday Night Live” sketch, It’s Pat.
Screenings:
Fri, Apr 10 – 5:00 PM | Cedar Lee Theatre
Sun, Apr 12 – 2:45 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
My Pathetic Career
A portrait of a one‑man variety performer reflecting on 50 years of art-making.
Screening:
Thu, Apr 16 – 4:45 PM | Playhouse Square Complex
