Assembly for the Arts Opens Applications for ARPA Funding

 PRESS RELEASE 

August 22, 2022 

Media Contact:
Malissa Bodmann
216-536-7517 

ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR ARPA FUNDING 

Artists, for-profit creative businesses are eligible to apply 

CLEVELAND, OHIO — Assembly for the Arts announced today that applications are open for creative workers and for-profit creative businesses to apply for funding made possible by American Rescue Plan Act through Cuyahoga County Council and the County Executive. 

Assembly for the Arts and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture worked collaboratively to secure support from Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and County Council President Pernel Jones, Jr. County Council approved $3.3 million, which was evenly split between Assembly and CAC ($1.65 Million to each). 

Assembly will award funding ranging up to $2,500 per artist and up to $45,000 for businesses, depending on annual revenue. Professional creative artists aged 18 and older who live in Cuyahoga County and have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for these ARPA funds. For-profit creative arts business headquartered in Cuyahoga County that have lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for these ARPA funds. Visit https://assemblycle.org/arpa/ for eligibility guidelines and application. 

“The arts and culture sector was the hardest hit of all industries during the pandemic,” said Jeremy Johnson, President and CEO of Assembly for the Arts. “We know this ARPA funding will help artists and small creative businesses get back on their feet to reignite the diverse cultural jobs and services that are the backbone of a $1.9B creative regional economy.” 

Assembly will hold a series of information sessions on the application process for artists and for-profit creative businesses. Visit https://assemblycle.org/arpa/ for more information. 


About Assembly for the Arts: Assembly for the Arts is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves as a unifying voice for greater Cleveland’s creative sector. Assembly strengthens and supports those who create, present, experience and appreciate all forms of arts and culture. The organization is attentive to the needs and impact of BIPOC artists, nonprofits, and small creative businesses. Assembly seeks to expand the pie of financial, technical, and capacity support for the arts and cultural sector; and increase equity for BIPOC and historically disadvantaged communities within the sector. For more information, visit AssemblyCLE.org. 


Liz Maugans

Liz Maugans

A community artist, curator of this campaign, and fellow neighbor.

Follow the artist

About the artist

Liz Maugans is the Director of YARDS Projects, and Curator of the Dalad Collection at Worthington Yards in Cleveland’s Warehouse District. She is co-founder of Art EverySpace and the Artist Bridge Coalition, former Executive Director of Zygote Press and founder of Collective Arts Network and the Artist Trust (The Cleveland Artist Registry). Maugans was instrumental in bringing the Rooms-to-Let Project to Slavic Village and acts as a consultant and participant of the temporary installations that take place in foreclosed houses. Maugans is on the Board of Trustees of the Collective Arts Network and teaches Artist-in-Communities as an adjunct at Cleveland State University. She has taught printmaking and drawing intermittently throughout the years at the Cleveland Institute of Art.  

For over twenty-five years, she has organized one-person and thematic exhibitions featuring regional, national and internationally known artists. Her curatorial specialization is her devotion to emerging art, social justice and local experimental practices that broaden access through social networks, inclusion and community-building initiatives. An advocate for artists and the visual arts, Maugans has served as a consultant for numerous community development organizations and creative business start-ups. Her passion for cross-disciplinary partnerships includes collaborations with the North Shore Federation of Labor, The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, Community Assessment and Treatment Services, Gordon Square Arts District and the Support for Artist Planning Team through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.  

She received her BFA in printmaking from Kent State University and her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1992. Maugans’ work is included in the Progressive Art Collection, The Cleveland Clinic, the Dalad Collection, BF Goodrich, the Westin Collection and The Riffe Center for Government and the Arts.  She received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship in 2000 and a 2005 Artist-in-Communities Grant. Maugans was awarded an Ohio Arts Council’s International Residency to Dresden, Germany in 2009. She was honored, along with her Zygote co-founder, Bellamy Printz, the Martha Joseph Prize for Distinguished Service from the Cleveland Arts Prize in 2012. In 2013, she was awarded a $20,000 Creative Workforce Fellowship from Community Partnership for Arts and Culture. 

Maugans lives in Bay Village with her husband, John and three kids, Olivia, John and Will. She is represented through HEDGE Gallery at 78th Street Studios

Two Cents for Arts & Culture

Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!

Covid has hit the creative sector hard.  An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood.  We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.

Artists for ARPA

Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.

Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative WorkforceThis is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!

Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.

We’re making progress

Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.


Nathalie Bermudez

Nathalie Bermudez

An artist and fellow neighbor in Clark-Fulton, Stockyards and portions of Brooklyn Centre, and Tremont.

Follow the artist

Two Cents for Arts & Culture

Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!

Covid has hit the creative sector hard.  An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood.  We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.

Artists for ARPA

Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.

Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative WorkforceThis is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!

Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.

We’re making progress

Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.

Assemble Now

Contact Jasmin Santana in Ward 14

Tweet Now

    Office Phone Number: 216.664.4238


    Attend a Postcard Party

    Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30

    RSVP

    Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00

    RSVP

    Christa Ebert

    Christa Ebert

    An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 17: West Park, Kamm's Corners, and Puritas

    About the artist

    Musician and mixed media artist Christa Ebert performs as Uno Lady, a one-woman choir, and composes songs with her voice, nature sounds, and electronic tools. Using her four-octave singing range, she constructs sonic worlds with dream-like vocal layers and looping ethereal tones. Also as a video artist, she creates nature inspired stop-motion music videos to accompany her compositions. Christa has recorded and produced six releases, including the most recent mindfulness album and film series, GROUNDED. Her unique talent has been acknowledged with various awards, including residencies and fellowships with Ellis-Beauregard Foundation, Foundation House, SPACE’s Urgent Art Fund, Chateau Orquevaux, Creative Workforce Fellow, Akron Soul Train, and  Panza Foundation.

    Follow the artist

    Two Cents for Arts & Culture

    Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!

    Covid has hit the creative sector hard.  An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood.  We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.

    Artists for ARPA

    Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.

    Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative WorkforceThis is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!

    Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.

    We’re making progress

    Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.

    Assemble Now

    Contact your Council Member Charles J. Slife in Ward 17

    Tweet Now

      Office Phone Number: 216.664.4239


      Attend a Postcard Party

      Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30

      RSVP

      Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00

      RSVP

      Beth Wood

      Beth Wood

      An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 16: City of Lakewood border to City of Brook Park, Bellaire-Puritas, and West Park.

      Two Cents for Arts & Culture

      Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!

      Covid has hit the creative sector hard.  An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood.  We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.

      Artists for ARPA

      Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.

      Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative WorkforceThis is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!

      Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.

      We’re making progress

      Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.

      Assemble Now

      Contact Council Member Brian Kazy in Ward 16

      Tweet Now

        Office Phone Number:216.664.2942


        Attend a Postcard Party

        Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30

        RSVP

        Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00

        RSVP

        Kyle Kidd

        Kyle Kidd

        An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 15: Edgewater, Cudell, Detroit Shoreway, and portions of Ohio City & Stockyards.

        About the artist

        Kyle creates Black Art, pulling from the many different avenues of black music and culture, vocally fusing classical, jazz, blues, gospel, funk and soul. They are currently performing throughout the country with artists such as Mourning a BLKstar, Algiers, and Richard Kennedy. Kyle also works as an educator in the Youth Sing Out program, collaborating with Roots of American Music, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. In their solo division, Kyle composes original music and curates multi-sensory experiences that incorporate stylized video, music, and fashion. They intend for their art in all its forms to be a tribal legacy, centered on representation, raw expression, and true freedom for each of us.

        Follow the artist

        Two Cents for Arts & Culture

        Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!

        Covid has hit the creative sector hard.  An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood.  We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.

        Artists for ARPA

        Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.

        Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative WorkforceThis is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!

        Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.

        We’re making progress

        Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.

        Assemble Now

        Contact Council Member Jenny Spencer in Ward 15

        Tweet Now

          Office Phone Number: 216.664.4235


          Attend a Postcard Party

          Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30

          RSVP

          Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00

          RSVP

          Kubra Abbas Alhilali

          Kubra Abbas Alhilali

          An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 14: Clark-Fulton, Stockyards, portions of Brooklyn Centre and Tremont

          Follow the artist

          Two Cents for Arts & Culture

          Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!

          Covid has hit the creative sector hard.  An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood.  We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.

          Artists for ARPA

          Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.

          Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative WorkforceThis is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!

          Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.

          We’re making progress

          Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.

          Assemble Now

          Contact Council Member Jasmin Santana in Ward 14

          Tweet Now

            Office Phone Number:  216.664.4238


            Attend a Postcard Party

            Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30

            RSVP

            Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00

            RSVP

            Sean Mabin

            Sean Mabin

            An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 13: Old Brooklyn, Stockyard.

            Follow the artist

            Two Cents for Arts & Culture

            Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!

            Covid has hit the creative sector hard.  An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood.  We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.

            Artists for ARPA

            Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.

            Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative WorkforceThis is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!

            Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.

            We’re making progress

            Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.

            Assemble Now

            Contact Council Member Kris Harsh in Ward 13

            Tweet Now

              Office Phone Number: 216.664.2943


              Attend a Postcard Party

              Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30

              RSVP

              Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00

              RSVP

              Scott Pickering

              Scott Pickering

              An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 12: Slavic Village, Old Brooklyn, Brooklyn Centre, and Tremont

              Follow the artist

              Two Cents for Arts & Culture

              Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!

              Covid has hit the creative sector hard.  An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood.  We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.

              Artists for ARPA

              Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.

              Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative WorkforceThis is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!

              Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.

              We’re making progress

              Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.

              Assemble Now

              Contact Council Member Rebecca Maurer in Ward 12

              Tweet Now

                Office Phone Number: 216.664.4233


                Attend a Postcard Party

                Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30

                RSVP

                Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00

                RSVP

                Aja Joi Grant

                Aja Joi Grant

                An artist and fellow neighbor in Ward 11: Cudell, Edgewater, West Boulevard, Jefferson, Bellaire-Puritas

                About the artist

                Aja is a Cleveland based photographer working to highlighting the human connection to the unknown and unseen. Utilizing digital media, many of her works blend the human experience to a respective environment, and emphasize their reciprocal relationship. Many works capture water and nature alongside her portraiture.

                Follow the artist

                Two Cents for Arts & Culture

                Commit 2% of the $500 million+ Cleveland is receiving in federal ARPA funds to Arts & Culture!

                Covid has hit the creative sector hard.  An ARPA investment of $10 million helps protect and brings jobs to EVERY neighborhood.  We are creative businesses. We are cultural nonprofits. We are individual artists and so much more. We remain anchors for neighborhoods all over the city. ARPA funds will protect one of our greatest assets that is central to Cleveland’s economy and identity.

                Artists for ARPA

                Led by creative people, for creative people, we’ve created 18 unique and vibrant postcards, featuring artists of all disciplines in all 17 Cleveland City Wards. Take a look through the art below.

                Right now, we have the opportunity to acquire more funding for our Creative Workers. Our city has received $511 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a pandemic support program enacted by President Biden. We need your help in asking Cleveland City Council to dedicate $10 million of these dollars to our Creative WorkforceThis is only 2% of the ARPA funds Cleveland received – that’s only 2 cents on the dollar!

                Let’s flood City Hall with powerful postcard messages! Attend an ARPA Postcard Party on Feb 24 or March 3 and Tweet + Email your City Council Member today.

                We’re making progress

                Recently, Mayor Bibb included a recommendation in his transition report to allocate $10 million to arts and culture. This is an exciting step, but we must help Cleveland City Council understand why their vote in favor of this recommendation is a smart choice. Your voice matters.

                Assemble Now

                Contact Council Member Brian Mooney in Ward 11

                Tweet Now

                  Office Phone Number: 216.664.3708


                  Attend a Postcard Party

                  Happy Dog, Thursday, February 24, 4:30-6:30

                  RSVP

                  Sankofa Fine Arts, Thursday, March 3, 4:00-6:00

                  RSVP