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 and is expected to generate $160 million over the next decade, 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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Cuyahoga County Passes Issue 55, the Cigarette Tax to Continue Funding the Arts
Date: November 5, 2024
Source: Cleveland SCENE
Abstract:
Residents on Tuesday passed Issue 55 by a wide margin, with about 72% supporting a tax hike on cigarettes and tobacco products to continue to fund the arts through Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
The independent government entity will now receive more money from the revised tax—three-and-a-half cents more per smoke, up from its current tax rate of one-and-a-half cents — to turn over to artists and arts groups through grants. With smoking rates decreasing, annual funding had dipped from $20 million to $10 million over the past two decades.
Arts and culture funding extended as voters back Issue 55
Date: November 5, 2024
Source: Signal Cleveland
Abstract:
Cuyahoga County voters approved a cigarette tax that will continue to provide arts and culture funding in the county.
Here are the unofficial results as of midnight with 342,091 (71.52%) votes for the measure and 136,222 (28.48%) votes against.
Cuyahoga County cigarette tax proponents claim victory as strong vote tally continues
Date: November 5, 2024
Source: Cleveland.com
Abstract:
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Proponents of raising Cuyahoga County’s cigarette tax to pay for the arts are claiming victory as the ballot measure continues to garner strong support into Tuesday night.
With 478,313 votes counted, 342,091 votes (71.5%) have been cast for Issue 55 and 136,222 votes (28.5%) have been cast against it. So far, 902 of 967 precincts have reported. Absentee ballots have also been counted.
Cuyahoga County Voters Pass Issue 55, Secure Vital Funding for Our Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2024
Cuyahoga County Voters Pass Issue 55, Secure Vital Funding for Our Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene
Cuyahoga County, OH — 11/5 — “The decision by voters to invest additional public resources in Cuyahoga County’s vibrant arts and culture organizations is a testament to the impact it has on our community,” said Assembly for Action’s President and CEO, Jeremy Johnson. This is a monumental decision by Cuyahoga County voters who for the 3rd time in 18 years voted for public funding for nonprofit arts and culture organizations throughout the county. With the approval of this measure, the existing tax on cigarettes will be adjusted, ensuring an estimated $160 million in funding over the next decade. This crucial support will allow Cuyahoga Arts and Culture (CAC) to continue enriching Cuyahoga County’s arts and culture landscape through grants that reach a diverse range of nonprofit organizations.
“We are profoundly grateful for the passage of Issue 55. This victory represents a commitment to fostering creativity, inclusivity, and economic growth in our community. Thanks to Cuyahoga County voters, we can continue supporting the organizations and those individuals that benefit from this public investment,” said Chinenye Nkemere, Assembly for the Arts Board Chair.
“The passage of Issue 55 is a powerful vote of confidence for our region’s arts and culture sector. It means we can increase vibrancy in our neighborhoods, boost our economy, provide more education opportunities for young people, and make the arts accessible for all,” said Fred Bidwell, Assembly for Action Board Chair.
CAC, the public agency that invests millions of dollars each year to support the work of hundreds of local arts nonprofits through the use of this cigarette ta, has faced declining revenues as cigarette sales have decreased. By increasing the tax rate from 1.5 cents to 3.5 cents per cigarette, this measure addresses the funding shortfall, enabling CAC to better serve communities, including economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, with free or low-cost programming.
"The passage of Issue 55 is a huge win for Cuyahoga County’s arts and culture community. Our residents have demonstrated an incredible commitment to sustaining the arts and cultural nonprofits that make our region thrive. This funding will allow us to continue making grants that support diverse, accessible, and inspiring arts and culture initiatives that benefit everyone in the county," said Karolyn Isenhart, Board President of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. "We thank every voter who recognized the importance of the arts to our economy, our neighborhoods, our young people, and our shared quality of life."
Public funding for nonprofit arts and culture benefits everyone. This increased, longer-term funding will help improve educational outcomes, enhance quality of life, build stronger neighborhoods, and continue to provide family supporting jobs while keeping us on the world stage.. Funding from Issue 55 will continue to touch every corner of Cuyahoga County, impacting the prosperity of hundreds of nonprofit organizations for years to come.
“This support empowers organizations like The Music Settlement to expand and deepen our mission of welcoming and inspiring all to our music and arts community to learn, create, celebrate and heal. This means creating inclusive spaces - where learning flourishes, creativity thrives, celebrations take place, and healing is nurtured - ensuring that the arts are accessible to all, fostering a sense of belonging and connection across our neighborhoods.” said Geralyn M. Presti, President and CEO of The Music School Settlement.
“We’re grateful to our neighbors throughout Cuyahoga County for endorsing the value that arts and culture has on the region, and that, along with our friends and partners at other cultural institutions, we’ll be able to continue to fund programs and events that benefit our communities and have a significant economic impact for all of Northeast Ohio.” said Greg Harris, CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"We are deeply grateful to the citizens of Cuyahoga County for their support of arts and culture," said Great Lakes Theater's Executive Director, Brian Barasch. "The vital public funding provided by Issue 55 allows us to enrich our community with dynamic performances and impactful arts education programs, which engage over 80,000 adults and students across our region each year. It also enables us to provide valuable jobs for artists, educators, and theater professionals. We are proud to contribute to a thriving cultural landscape that strengthens Northeast Ohio and fosters a more connected future."
Cuyahoga County's vote for Issue 55 is a clear message that residents believe in the power of arts and culture to help make our communities stronger, healthier, and better. This investment ensures that Cuyahoga County will be known as a vibrant center for the arts, attracting residents, businesses, and visitors who value a community rich in cultural experiences.
About Assembly for Action:
Assembly for Action is a c4 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting sustainable funding for arts and culture in Cuyahoga County. Assembly for the Action is a key advocate for the expansion of the excise tax on cigarettes working to mobilize voter support and highlight the vital role of arts and culture in the community. Through targeted outreach and education, Assembly aims to ensure the continued vitality and funding of the arts sector.
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Contact:
Jeff Rusnak, 216-970-8888
Izzy Stewart, 440-731-7602
Cuyahoga County Issue 55 passes, increasing the cigarette tax for the arts
Date: November 6, 2024
Source: ideastream
Abstract:
About 70% of voters approved increasing the cigarette tax funding the arts in Cuyahoga County Tuesday.
A 30-cent-per-pack tax was first passed by voters in 2006, but revenues have dropped by about half as fewer people light up. Issue 55 more than doubles the tax per pack to 70 cents. The funds are distributed by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Ideastream Public Media receives a portion of its funding from CAC and also contributed to the Issue 55 campaign.
Voters said “yes” to fund hundreds of arts and culture nonprofits across Cuyahoga County, provide millions of creative experiences for residents through January 2035
CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County voters approved Issue 55, a replacement and expansion of the cigarette tax that funds Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. The new, increased tax replaces CAC’s sole revenue source, which would have expired in January 2027. The tax will provide additional funds over a 10-year period for CAC to invest in hundreds of local arts and culture nonprofit organizations that provide arts experiences for residents of every zip code in the county.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) is a political subdivision funded by a tax on cigarettes that was first approved by voters in 2006 and reapproved in 2015. Since 2007, CAC has made over 4,000 grants totaling $247 million to 485 nonprofits. The new tax could generate an estimated $160 million over the next 10 years, increasing levels of support after years of steady decline.
Karolyn Isenhart, president of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture’s Board of Trustees, expressed appreciation for voters’ confidence in CAC. “We thank the voters of Cuyahoga County for their continued support for public funding for arts and culture,” she said. “We also thank Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, the members of County Council, and every elected official, nonprofit, and business leader whose commitment to public funding for arts and culture made this result possible.”
The passage of Issue 55 replaces the current tax of 15 mills (1½ cents) per cigarette sold in Cuyahoga County with a tax of 35 mills (3½ cents) per cigarette. CAC will start to receive the increased tax revenues in March 2025 and anticipates new revenue will impact grants made for 2026 and beyond.
CAC’s Executive Director, Jill Paulsen, highlighted the importance of the new tax to our region’s arts nonprofits. “CAC funds a wide range of organizations that make arts and culture experiences available to residents in every corner of Cuyahoga County,” she said. “With this funding, CAC will continue to be a reliable resource and provide core support for the nonprofits that make our community such a special place. We take seriously our charge to responsibly and transparently steward these tax funds, and we look forward to continuing our work – to the benefit of all Cuyahoga County residents.”
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture is charged with making grants to arts and cultural nonprofits using public tax dollars, as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3381. As a public agency, CAC does not engage in fundraising or campaign activities; its role is to provide information regarding its grantmaking, the stewardship of its public resource, and to educate the public on the importance of public funding.
Current and potential grant recipients are invited to sign up for e-mail updates about CAC grant opportunities at cacgrants.org. Residents and visitors seeking arts and cultural experiences in Cuyahoga County are encouraged to visit ClevelandArtsEvents.com to view upcoming CAC-funded programs and events.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) is a regional arts and cultural district and a political subdivision of the state. Established by voters in 2006, CAC is the largest arts and culture funder in the region. To date CAC has made over 3,000 grants, totaling over $247M in tax dollars, to more than 485 organizations serving County residents. For more information, visit cacgrants.org.