Assembly: The Power of Arts Advocacy
What is arts advocacy, and how can we use it to strengthen Cleveland’s creative economy?
Attend a dialogue over lunch with Assembly for the Arts on March 26, 2025 at 11:30 to talk about exactly that.
Arts advocacy takes many forms. For some, it means securing more public and private funding for artists and cultural institutions. For others, it means using the power of creativity to drive community action and shape policies.
Join Assembly for the Arts on March 26 from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM for an interactive conversation about the role of advocacy in the arts. This will be a discussion with you, artists, cultural leaders, and policy advocates to explore different approaches and share strategies.
Cuyahoga County artists can apply for $1,500 ‘Boost'
Source: ideastream
Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Abstract:
Assembly for the Arts is now accepting applications for the Boost Fund. About 40-50 Cuyahoga County artists will be chosen, completely at random, for $1,500 awards. The first round of applications closes April 7.
Deidre McPherson, Assembly’s chief community officer, said choosing randomly will “level the playing field” when administering funds from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, which distributes money raised from the county cigarette tax for the arts.
“Since these are public dollars, everyone has access and we realize that there are a number of artists that have never been awarded CAC dollars before,” she said. “They may have been intimidated by some of the application processes associated with completing a grant proposal. This program … doesn’t require presenting a proposal in a way that, oftentimes, grant programs do.”
ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS TO GIVE ARTISTS A ‘BOOST’ WITH NEW GRANT PROGRAM
CLEVELAND, March 10, 2025 — Assembly for the Arts has launched The Boost Fund, a new program that provides a “boost” of funding to help Cuyahoga County artists create projects and events and to help offset the costs of artist-specific needs.
The Boost Fund will be offered in 2025 through 3 cycles, funding 140 Cuyahoga County artists with $1,500 each. Between 40-50 artist recipients will be selected in each cycle. The first application period is now open through April 7, 2025.
Artists will be chosen through a nationally modeled random selection process.
Funds may be used for a range of artist-related expenses, said Deidre McPherson, Chief Community Officer at Assembly for the Arts. “The Boost Fund is intended to help artists get their projects off the ground or be the final push they need to complete their works or support their creative practice. We hope that communities across Cuyahoga County will benefit from festivals, exhibitions, performances, and other projects brought to life in 2025 from Assembly-funded artists,” McPherson said. “The random selection method has gained popularity in recent years because it levels the playing field, eliminating subjective competition between artists. We want this program to be especially appealing to artists who are new to applying for grants.”
Applications will be open for approximately 4 weeks per cycle, according to the following timeline:
- Cycle 1 – Applications will be open March 7, 2025 – April 7, 2025
- Cycle 2 – Applications will be open July 16, 2025 – August 18, 2025
- Cycle 3 – Applications will be open October 22, 2025 – November 20, 2025
Assembly will offer a virtual information session on Thursday, March 13 at 6 p.m.
The program is open to Cuyahoga County-based artists aged 18 and older who meet other criteria. The Boost Fund, a program designed and run by 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 Boost Fund, please visit www.assemblycle.org/boost.
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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 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, and Fred & Laura Ruth Bidwell. www.assemblycle.org
Boost Fund
Applications are CLOSED until next cycle, July 16-August 18, 2025.
Carefully read the guidelines before submitting your application.
Introducing The Boost Fund for Artists
Assembly for the Arts is excited to launch the Boost Fund. The program provides a “Boost” of funding to help Cuyahoga County artists bring their projects and events to life and to help offset the costs of artist-specific needs.
The Boost Fund will be offered in 2025 through 3 cycles, funding a total of 140 Cuyahoga County artists with $1,500 each. Between 40-50 artist recipients will be selected in each cycle.
Funds may be used for a wide range of artist-related expenses.
Who can apply?
- Artists aged 18 and older in a variety disciplines are eligible (see FAQ below). Artists must be able to provide proof of their creative work.
- Artists must live and work in Cuyahoga County and provide proof of residency.
- Board or staff members of Assembly for the Arts or Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) and panelists of Assembly’s artist programs are not eligible to apply.
- Artists who have received Support for Artists funding from Assembly for the Arts (Creative Impact Fund), SPACES (Urgent Art Fund), Karamu House (Room in the House Fellowship), Cleveland Public Theatre (Premiere Fellowship or Individual Artist Fund) or Julia de Burgos (Unidos Por El Arte) within the last two (2) years are not eligible to apply for the Boost Fund in 2025.
- Artists can submit one (1) application to the Boost Fund each cycle until selected.
Selection Process
Boost Fund recipients will be selected through a nationally modeled random selection process facilitated by Assembly for the Arts. This process will occur after the open application period has ended for each cycle.
All applicants will be notified of their application status by email after the selection date for each cycle.
Application Dates
Applications will be open for approximately 4 weeks per cycle, according to the following timeline:
- Cycle 1 – March 7 – April 7, 2025
- Cycle 2 – July 16 – August 18, 2025
- Cycle 3 – October 22 – November 20, 2025
Information Sessions
Cycle 1
- Thursday, March 13, 6 p.m. – Zoom
Cycle 2
- Thursday, May 22 – 6:00 PM (Future Ink Graphics)
- Thursday, June 5 – 12:00 PM (Virtual)
- Tuesday, July 8 – 6:00 PM (Midtown Collaboration Center)
FAQ
Artists living in Cuyahoga County and working in the disciplines of craft, dance, design, film, interdisciplinary work, media, music, theatre & performance, traditional/folk arts, visual art and writing/literary art are eligible to apply. Artists must be 18 years of age or older and be active creators.
Unfortunately, no. Artists who have received a grant in the last two (2) years (2023-2024) from any of the above programs aren’t eligible to apply in 2025 so we can extend the opportunity to other artists.
No, Boost Funds will be granted to individual artists only. But if you are an artist with an active creative practice, working at a nonprofit or for a creative business, you are eligible to apply and receive funds as an individual.
Assembly defines artists as independent professionals who derive income from creating, performing, teaching or supporting the development of work in these creative disciplines:
- Craft (ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metals, textiles)
- Dance & Choreography (create or perform movement-based works)
- Design (fashion, graphic, industrial, object, all forms of architecture)
- Film (filmmakers, cinematography, directing, screenwriting, animation)
- Interdisciplinary (work creating intentional connections between multiple creative disciplines)
- Literary Arts / Writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, spoken word, criticism, graphic novels, journalism, arts writing)
- Media (work at the intersection of technology, content creation, aesthetics, storytelling, and digital culture)
- Music (composing, songwriting, performing, DJing, producing)
- Theatre & Performance (directing, playwriting, puppetry, comedy, set design, lighting/installation, and performance art)
- Traditional Arts (work related to the continuity and evolution of a tradition and/or cultural heritage such as cultural dance, cultural music, oral expression and traditional crafts)
- Visual Art (painting, sculpture, photography, installation, performance art, sound art, video, printmaking, illustration, drawing)
No, the Boost Fund is geared towards artists who work in the disciplines outlined in the guidelines.
Yes! Artists can apply for and receive both a Boost Fund and Creative Impact Fund in the same year.
Artists can submit one (1) application to each cycle of the Boost Fund, until funded. If you receive a Boost Fund in 2025, you cannot submit another application to the program in 2025.
Recipients of the Boost Fund will be determined through a random selection process facilitated by Assembly. Artists will not be selected by a jury or Assembly staff and applications will not be evaluated for content, other than eligibility.
Random selection in artist funding models has gained popularity across the country and is intended to eliminate subjectivity and reduce competition among artists. To meet intended program goals and align with Assembly’s mission, some artists will be randomly selected from prioritized categories.
The goal of Boost is to help you cover gaps in your project and creative costs so you can be a more active artist. You can spend your funds on project or event expenses, such as venue costs, supplies, permits, artist contract fees, technology and/or artist need expenses such as materials, equipment, studio costs and repairs, work-related travel and more. Please see the Guidelines for a full list of eligible uses of these funds.
Unfortunately, no. Boost Funds must be used to cover costs directly related to your creative practice as noted above in the previous question.
No, you don’t need to submit a project proposal, but the application asks for the expenses you’ll cover with Boost Funds. Keep in mind that these funds are intended to support artist-led projects, events or programs and artist specific needs. At the end of your grant year, Assembly will ask all grant recipients to submit a 2-3 minute video testimonial about how the Boost Funds benefitted them and their creative practice.
There are many other ways to showcase your creative work online in your application if you don’t have a website!
- Your artist social media page – Instagram, YouTube, Facebook
- Art-specific sites where you share your work like BandCamp, Patreon, Vimeo
- Artist profile pages through other sites – consider creating a free artist profile on Cleveland Arts & Events if you don’t already have one
Any link you include must be clearly related to your artistry. Do not include personal social media pages or accounts if they don’t showcase your artwork. Do not include links to sites that require paid subscriptions (Spotify, Netflix, Amazon).
Yes. Please consult with an accounting or tax professional, such as the Hispanic Business Center or LISC, to determine how much of your grant to reserve for taxes. Grantees will be required to submit a W-9 to receive their award and will be issued a 1099 at the end of the year.
Artists must be current residents of Cuyahoga County at the time of application with plans to remain in the county for the duration of the grant year.
Questions?
Please contact grants@assemblycle.org.
Boost Fund is supported by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
Stronger Together: Advocating for the Arts in 2025
The arts and culture sector in Greater Cleveland and beyond is facing a rapidly shifting landscape. At Assembly for the Arts, we are committed to unifying our voice, providing a space for advocacy, and serving as a resource for the creative community.
We are closely watching the changes at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). While Ohio receives the majority of its public arts funding from state sources, federal support remains essential. We continue to work alongside our partners at CreativeOhio and Americans for the Arts to ensure that arts and culture remain a priority in state and national funding conversations.
Local support and strong community connections are the foundation of our success. To broaden our impact and continue driving meaningful change, we need your support—join Assembly for the Arts today.
Our collective strength fuels progress, and our community is the backbone of that strength. Assembly played a crucial role in the passage of Issue 55, securing essential funding for arts and culture in Cuyahoga County. As we move into 2025, we remain committed to researching and developing solutions for our sector. The newly released CreativeOhio Economic Impact Study revealed that our region generated $7.58 billion in direct economic outputs, reaffirming what we’ve always known: the work of the arts and culture community is vital and transformative.
We are excited to invite you to become a member of Assembly so we can continue to advocate for you locally, in the Statehouse, and nationally. Use your membership for complimentary admission to Assembly: The Power of Arts Advocacy, March 26, 2025, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM for at the Midtown Collaboration Center, 1974 E 66th St, Cleveland, OH 44103). This interactive gathering will bring together artists, cultural leaders, and policy advocates to explore how advocacy strengthens Cleveland’s creative economy.
Together, we all can stand united to ensure a vibrant and well-supported arts and culture sector for all.
In solidarity,
Jeremy Johnson, President & CEO Chinenye Nkemere, Board Chair Assembly for the Arts
The Top Arts and Culture Stories of 2024
Featured Image: Newly renovated Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, OH, University Circle
THE TOP ARTS AND CULTURE STORIES OF 2024
By Jeremy Johnson
In 2024, Greater Cleveland’s arts and culture sector achieved historic milestones. Many were driven by the advocacy, policy and public support efforts of Assembly for the Arts, our partner organization Assembly for Action, and the hundreds of arts advocates who mobilize to bolster the arts community. For example, the victorious passage of Issue 55 will increase the amount of transformative funding for the non-profit arts sector for the next 10 years. It was overwhelmingly supported by more than 70% of Cuyahoga County voters. The region experienced significant economic impact from projects like the Rock Hall Induction Ceremony and the filming of the blockbuster Superman film. Support for individual artists soared because of increased funding and opportunities. Institutional philanthropy spurred major gifts and funded renovations, while national recognition spotlighted leading institutions, artists, and arts leaders. The sector also experienced organizational and personnel transitions, some welcome and others less so. Taken as a whole, Greater Cleveland’s arts and culture triumphed, demonstrating resiliency and momentum for the future. While not an exhaustive list, here are some of the most defining moments that captured the spirit and progress of the region’s creative scene in 2024.
ADVOCACY, POLICY AND PUBLIC SUPPORT.
Cuyahoga County voters approved Issue 55 in November with a decisive 71.2% majority, ensuring robust support for the region’s arts and culture sector. The measure replaces an existing cigarette tax benefiting 300 nonprofits. Assembly spearheaded the nonpartisan campaign, securing 200 endorsements from arts organizations, elected officials, clergy, and labor groups. Starting in 2026, the funds will flow to the arts community through grants administered by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, a political subdivision of the state of Ohio.
The 2024 Capital Budget delivered a major boost to 17 Cuyahoga County arts and culture organizations, with over $16 million allocated to support expansions and other building projects. As part of the nearly $100 million statewide investment in arts and culture through House Bill 2, the funds went to theaters, museums, galleries and more. See the complete list at CreativeOhio. The investments underscore the transformative impact of state funding on the region’s creative economy.
The inaugural Greater Cleveland Music Census drew insights from 2,768 participants, shedding light on critical gaps in the region’s music ecosystem. Key findings pointed to a shortage of performance stages and a lack of support for venues operating outside the nonprofit sector. Respondents emphasized the need for mentorship, revenue development opportunities, and incentives for venues to spotlight local talent. Among proposed solutions were tax breaks and increased public arts funding aimed at bolstering Cleveland’s music economy and nurturing the broader creative sector.
Cleveland Heights received a $390,000 grant from the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program to enhance Cain Park’s outdoor arts and recreation facilities. Paired with over $2 million in ARPA funds, the project will include upgraded dressing rooms, modernized public restrooms, and state-of-the-art audio, visual, and lighting systems. The renovations promise a transformed experience for performers and audiences, solidifying Cain Park’s reputation as a premier destination for arts and culture in the region.
The Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) received $250,000 in state funding to develop a water technology exhibit focused on preserving freshwater resources like Lake Erie. The initiative underscores Cleveland’s leadership in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability. GLSC also collaborated with the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MoCA) and artist Andrea Bowers on “Lake Erie: Exist, Flourish, Evolve,” a monumental neon installation inspired by the Lake Erie Bill of Rights. Created with Cleveland artist David Helton — renowned for his iconic WMMS “The Buzzard” illustrations — and NavCour Glassware, the work urges viewers to reflect on their role in protecting the Great Lakes. Displayed at both GLSC and MoCA, the installation addressed the urgent need for environmental stewardship.
Cleveland Heights sought to balance its identity as a home for the arts amid community concerns and financial constraints. The planned closure of Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park follows the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Library Board’s unanimous decision to end leases for over a dozen nonprofits at the former Coventry School, citing prohibitive repair costs. Many of the nonprofits have announced plans to relocate in 2025. In related news, Cleveland Heights City Council allocated $250,000 in ARPA funds to Heights Arts for a rebranding initiative aimed at unifying the Cedar-Lee District and strengthening its identity as the city’s cultural centerpiece.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Cleveland drew 200,000 visitors for a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse, spurring a flurry of cultural events and generating astronomical results. According to Destination Cleveland, 12 eclipse-themed events infused $24.6 million into the local economy. Highlights included arts-focused watch parties at venues such as the Great Lakes Science Center, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, University Circle, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Music Box Supper Club, Children’s Museum of Cleveland, and Beck Center for the Arts. Performances ranged from The Cleveland Orchestra to Dancing Wheels and Papo Ruiz y La Dulzura de la Salsa, underscoring the city’s rich artistic diversity.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame launched a $150 million expansion to grow the museum’s footprint by 33%, from 155,000 to 205,000 square feet. The project includes a dramatic new wing inspired by the iconic I.M. Pei pyramid and a 41% larger Main Exhibit Hall. Funded through Cuyahoga County bonds and donor pledges, the expansion will also add Cleveland’s newest outdoor cultural space. The Rock Hall also hosted this year’s Induction Ceremony, an internationally celebrated event, honoring legends like Cher, Mary J. Blige, and Peter Frampton. The event drew millions of global viewers and generated $50 million in economic impact.
Playhouse Square, Cleveland’s renowned theater district, has expanded its footprint with the acquisition of two properties: the former Greyhound Bus Station and the adjacent Cleveland Institute of Electronics building. Plans are underway to transform the electronics building into a state-of-the-art rehearsal center, while the bus station will be repurposed as a versatile performance and arts venue. The envisioned space could host cabaret, music, and other performances, offering a vibrant blend of dining, entertainment, and nightlife.
Cleveland transformed into Metropolis this summer as the latest Superman blockbuster was filmed in the city’s downtown streets. Producers spent an estimated $37 million in Ohio, bolstered by $11 million from the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit. The production generated significant local economic impact, including thousands of hotel room bookings, partnerships with local vendors, and job opportunities for regional crew members and background actors.
SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Rhonda Brown, the City of Cleveland’s Senior Chief Strategist for Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, announced the recipients of the $3 million ARPA-funded Transformative Arts Fund. The seven artists will collaborate with institutions such as hospitals, housing authorities, and schools to deliver cutting-edge public art installations across the city.
Assembly for the Arts distributed $170,000 through its 2024 Creative Impact Fund, supported by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Seventeen artists each received $10,000 in unrestricted funding to bolster their creative practices and strengthen connections within the Cleveland community. In its second year, the fund increased its grant awards by 60%, up from $6,250 per artist in 2023, making it one of the largest unrestricted grant opportunities for artists in the region. The program will continue in 2025 with some key changes to reach more artists with more funding opportunities.
The Cleveland Arts Prize (CAP) celebrated its 2024 recipients, awarding $36,000 across multiple categories. Prizes included $10,000 for Emerging Artist, Mid-Career, and Lifetime Achievement winners, along with special honors such as the Robert Bergman Prize, Martha Joseph Prize, and Barbara Robinson Prize. CAP also relaunched its Verge Fellowship, granting $2,000 each to five emerging artists.
Cleveland City Hall took on a new role as a gallery for regional talent under the leadership of Rhonda Brown, the city’s top arts official. Brown curated two exhibits in the Beaux Arts-style building: Discover the Promise: Impact, Legacy and Perspective,” co-created with Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, and “La Promesa: Celebrating Legacy, Empowering Generations, Inspiring the Future of Hispanic-Latino, a partnership with the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center.
Brown also elevated Cleveland’s presence on the national arts scene, helping eight local artists — five of them from the Cleveland Institute of Art — secure spots at the Prizm Art Fair during Miami Art Week. Collaborating with Prizm founder Mikhaile Solomon, Assembly’s Chief Community Officer Deidre McPherson and local partners including CIA, Cleveland Museum of Art, and area philanthropies, Brown ensured Cleveland artists shine on a global stage.
The Cleveland International Piano Competition (CIPC) marked its 50th anniversary in 2024 with an extraordinary display of talent. Chinese pianist Zijian Wei, 25, claimed the $75,000 Mixon First Prize, along with multiple special honors, including the ChamberFest Cleveland Prize, Concerto Round Audience Prize, Junior Jury Prize, and the G. Henle Verlag Urtext Prize. The competition drew 265 applicants from 28 countries, with 16 finalists competing live in Cleveland. As a cornerstone event in the global classical music calendar, CIPC continues to elevate the careers of its laureates and inspire audiences worldwide.
The Western Reserve Historical Society’s Cleveland History Center opened its African American History Gallery, debuting with the exhibit History in Their Hands: Black Photographers in Cleveland, Ohio 1968–Present. Organized by Center historian Dr. Regennia Williams, the exhibit highlights the work of local Black photographers who have documented Cleveland’s history over the past five decades. The gallery aims to showcase African American contributions to the city’s rich history and culture.
INSTITUTIONAL PHILANTHROPY
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History unveiled a $150 million dollar, 375,000 square foot renovation project. Completed after three-and-a-half years, the massive re-do includes classic dinosaur fossils and interactive experiences, dominated by a larger, light-filled Visitor Hall that is free and open to the public.
A $25 million challenge gift from Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation spurred additional donors to support physical and organizational enhancements for the Cleveland Museum of Art. Visitors to the museum, including 100,000 school children each year, will find renovated arrival spaces, exhibition programs, development of the museum’s grounds and adjacent fine arts park. The gifts will also support curatorial, conservator and management positions.
The Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) marked a pivotal year in 2024, surpassing $50 million in its Second Century Campaign. A transformative $5 million gift from Kevin and Kristen Stein and Family supported the renovation of Kulas Hall, set to reopen in fall 2025, and expanded endowed scholarships. The year also saw CIM faculty vote to unionize as the institution reaffirmed a commitment to sustain its long history of excellence in music education and artistic achievement.
Karamu House, the nation’s oldest Black producing theatre, was designated an affiliate company of Playhouse Square. The partnership will foster deeper creative collaborations between the two institutions. Karamu will continue operations at its historic Fairfax neighborhood location while expanding its presence through performances at Playhouse Square venues. Additionally, Karamu House has completed a $5.2 million renovation of its theatre wing, enhancing its facilities to better serve the community and support its mission of producing socially relevant theatre.
The Cleveland Orchestra’s endowment surged nearly 11% to $296 million, bolstered by a $4.6 million gift from Jim and Myrna Spira. Attendance rebounded to 254,000 across 106 performances, marking a strong recovery after the pandemic. With six consecutive years of balanced budgets, the Orchestra is on a path to sustained financial health and cultural prominence.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Cleveland City Councilman Kevin Conwell was awarded the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for City Council Members by the National League of Cities and Americans for the Arts. A dedicated arts advocate and percussionist, Conwell co-sponsored legislation establishing Cleveland’s first Senior Strategist for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, as well as the $3 million Transformative Arts Fund, which supports artist-led community projects with ARPA funds. He also launched the Play It Forward Cleveland! program, which provides musical instruments to underserved children.
Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) received a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to support its innovative programming and commitment to fostering diverse voices. The funding is part of a national initiative to empower theaters that prioritize historically marginalized artists and audiences. Over the next two years, CPT will use the grant to deepen its community connections, develop new works, and explore bold approaches to artistic production and audience engagement. This grant underscores CPT’s role as a leader in advancing cultural equity and groundbreaking theater in Cleveland.
The Sculpture Center earned a prestigious $100,000 residency prize from the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation, a significant honor for the Cleveland organization. The grant will bring Puerto Rican-born artist Edra Soto to collaborate with Near West Side communities, creating a public art installation reflecting the neighborhood’s unique identity.
LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS
After 25 years of groundbreaking performances, GroundWorks DanceTheater, founded by David Shimotakahara, took its final bow this summer with a farewell performance at Cain Park. Known for its innovative repertoire, the company commissioned over 40 new works from nationally renowned choreographers and embraced collaborations with musicians, visual artists, and filmmakers. Under Shimotakahara’s visionary leadership, GroundWorks pushed the boundaries of contemporary dance, making a lasting impact on Cleveland’s arts scene.
The Cleveland Orchestra announced that Music Director Franz Welser-Möst will step down in 2027, ending a transformative 25-year chapter in its history.
Cleveland International Film Festival named Hermione Malone of New Orleans as Executive Director. Malone is originally from Detroit.
SPACES hired Fanna Gebreyes as its new Director, coinciding with the gallery’s 50th A Detroit native, Gebreyes led arts institutions in the DC area.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture welcomed Leonard DiCosimo and Gina Vernaci to its board. The arts leaders were appointed by County Executive Chris Ronayne.
Cleveland Ballet named Larry Goodman as President and CEO and Timour Bourtasenkov as Artistic Director.
Beck Center for the Arts announced longtime staffer Ed Gallagher will become its new President and CEO, replacing Cindy Einhouse on her retirement.
Great Lakes Theater named Brian Barasch as Executive Director. Barasch spent two decades in Chicago and is from Cincinnati.
New lottery system will award more artists funding in Cuyahoga County
Source: Ideastream Public Media | By Kabir Bhatia
Date: December 18
Abstract:
The Cuyahoga Arts & Culture board closed 2024 by approving funds that will be regranted to more artists than in previous years.
At its Wednesday meeting, the board set aside $500,000 for Assembly for the Arts, the agency administering CAC money for individual artists as CAC can only grant to nonprofit organizations. The funds come from a tax on cigarettes, which voters approved increasing last month.
Last year, $375,000 supported 73 artists and was administered by Assembly. In 2025, $450,000 is slated for 176 artists.
ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS RECEIVES $500,000 GRANT TO SUPPORT ARTISTS IN 2025
ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS RECEIVES $500,000 GRANT TO SUPPORT ARTISTS IN 2025
Flexible funding and project support will elevate artists’ creative practice and regional impact, funded by a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
CLEVELAND, December 18, 2024 — Assembly for the Arts has received a $500,000 grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture to fund Assembly’s Support for Artists programs in 2025. Assembly expects to award grants to 176 Cuyahoga County artists in 2025, a 141% increase in the number of artists awarded grants in 2024.
“Individual artists are an essential element of a strong arts and culture sector. As entrepreneurs, artists generate new creative perspectives and ideas, foster community engagement and spur the creative economy,” said Jeremy V. Johnson, Assembly for the Arts’ President and CEO. “We are excited to expand our support for Cuyahoga County artists in 2025.”
Assembly will offer two grant programs in 2025:
- The Creative Impact Fund, which will provide flexible funds for operating expenses. 15 grants of $5,000 each will be awarded to Cuyahoga County emerging artists and 15 grants of $10,000 each to Cuyahoga County established artists. Applications will open in April.
- The Boost Fund, which will provide $1,500 grants to 140 artists total over three cycles (March, June and October). These grants are intended to supplement artist-led projects or needs related to an artist’s creative practice for projects that are open and accessible to the public in Cuyahoga County. Awardees will be randomly selected. Applications will open in March.
Additionally, a portion of the grant will cover stipends for the six artists on its Artist Advisory Committee.
These programs will grant a total of $450,000 to artists. That dollar amount is up from $375,000 in 2024.
The two grant programs will be open to Cuyahoga County artists who have not received more than $5,000 from Assembly in the past two years. Interested artists should sign up for Assembly’s updates at www.assemblycle.org. Assembly will provide information about the programs in the new year.
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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, and Fred & Laura Ruth Bidwell. www.assemblycle.org
Crain's editorial: The wages of sin (taxes)
Date: December 05, 2024
Source: Crain’s Cleveland Business editorial board
Abstract:
Sin isn’t what it used to be — at least when it comes to paying for stadiums and arenas.
It’s creating some financial challenges for Cleveland and Cuyahoga County that cry out for a fresh approach to making sure the sports facilities are maintained properly, without compromising the ability to support vital services and public spaces for taxpayers.
Both Cuyahoga County Council and Cleveland City Council this week approved measures to pay off the nonprofit Gateway Economic Development Corp.‘s debt to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Guardians for more than $40 million in repairs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Progressive Field, respectively…
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The timeframe is different, but the principle is the same when it comes to the tax used to fund nonprofits arts and culture organizations in Cuyahoga County.
About 70% of county voters last month approved a big increase in the tax, which was set to expire in 2027. (This tax is separate from the sin tax on alcohol and cigarettes that funded the construction of the Gateway sports complexes.) Voters initially passed the 30-cent-per-pack tax in 2006, and it has done its job, generating a total of about $250 million since then, about 95% of which is distributed as grants by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC).
The tax, though, was generating about half of what it used to produce as fewer people smoke. The increase voters approved on Nov. 5 raises the tax to 70 cents per pack and, as CAC executive director Jill Paulsen said in the wake of the vote, “extends the feasibility to make grants until 2035.”
That’s a good thing. An economic and social impact study conducted in 2023 by the nonprofit Americans for the Arts found that Cuyahoga County’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated a little more than $533 million in economic activity in 2022. These kinds of studies can be self-serving and are better seen as estimates than precision measurements, but there’s little doubt that the arts and culture sector is vital to the economy and the quality of life of this region.
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Cleveland Artists Represent the Region at the 2024 Miami Art Week
The City of Cleveland’s Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Department is proud to collaborate with the Prizm Art Fair, held December 3 through December 8
Cleveland – November 26, 2024 – Continuing its commitment to bolstering Cleveland’s artistic community, the City of Cleveland is proud to support eight local artists—spanning mid-career, seasoned, and emerging talents—participating in the prestigious Prizm Art Fair during Miami Art Week, one of the premier events in the global contemporary art scene.
This exceptional opportunity provides Cleveland’s artists with invaluable exposure to national and international collectors, curators, and institutions, further cementing the city’s reputation as a hub for artistic innovation.