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.
Assembly for the Arts Awards $170,000 to 17 Artists through the 2024 Creative Impact Fund
Date: October 23, 2024
Source: FreshWater Cleveland
Abstract:
Assembly for the Arts, the nonprofit focused on increasing equity in the region’s arts and culture community, announced in September that it has awarded $170,000 to 17 artists through the 2024 Creative Impact Fund. Each recipient will receive $10,000 in unrestricted funding to support their creative practices.
Now in its second year, the Creative Impact Fund is one of the largest unrestricted grant funds available to Cuyahoga County artists. It provides critical support to artists in maintaining their creative missions and connecting more deeply with the Cleveland community.
Assembly for the Arts Awards 17 Artists $10,000 Each Through the 2024 Creative Impact Fund
ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS AWARDS 17 ARTISTS $10,000 EACH THROUGH THE 2024 CREATIVE IMPACT FUND
Flexible funding and business development support, will elevate artists’ creative practice and regional impact, with support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
CLEVELAND, September 17, 2024 — Assembly for the Arts is excited to announce 17 artists have been awarded 2024 Creative Impact Fund grants. A panel of national jurors of artists and creative professionals reviewed and selected this year’s awardees.
The Creative Impact Fund is currently one of the largest unrestricted grant funds available to Cuyahoga County artists. Each artist will receive $10,000 from the fund, made possible by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. The award provides flexible (unrestricted) funding and professional and business development opportunities, mentorship and networking opportunities, plus memberships to Assembly for the Arts and the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE). The purpose of the fund is to encourage the growth of artists’ creative practice and advance their impact on the region. It is open to individual Cuyahoga County-based artists of all creative disciplines.
In addition to the announcement of the Creative Impact Fund artist grantees, Assembly will soon launch an Artist Advisory Committee as part of its organizational artist support structure and on-going efforts to seek community feedback on artist programming. Details about the Artist Advisory Committee including members and committee goals will be announced in October.
The selected Creative Impact Fund artists are in various stages of their careers, from emerging to established in dance, design, film, craft, music, folk arts, visual arts, writing/literature and interdisciplinary fields. They represent communities in Cleveland and across Cuyahoga County, from Mayfield Heights to Lakewood to Garfield Heights and Oakwood Village.
The following artists were selected for the 2024 Creative Impact Fund by a panel of artists and creative professionals from outside the region.
- Gabrielle Banzhaf - Interdisciplinary Artist and Curator; performance, sculpture and collaborative /community experimentation
- Nathalie Bermudez - Performing and Visual Artist; theatre arts, acting, painting and mural arts
- Munirah Bomani –Movement Artist; Afro-Caribbean dance and choreography, ballet and movement-based healing
- Carolina Borja – Musician and Composer; Cello, loop pedals and vocals; Afro-Colombian traditional singing and world music
- Sequoia Bostick – Visual Artist; illustration, graphic arts and design
- David Buttram – Visual Artist; figurative painting and illustration
- Amber N. Ford –Visual Artist; photographic arts and photojournalism
- Stephanie Ginese – Literary Artist; poetry and stand-up comedy
- Leila Khoury - Multidisciplinary Artist; sculpture and design
- Aimee Lee – Visual Artist; Korean papermaking (Hanji)
- Theresa May – Musician; Trumpet, multidisciplinary creator/composer and performer
- Raquel M. Ortiz – Multi-Disciplinary Artist; literary arts, film, music and illustration
- Humble G tha Fiddla – Musician and Producer; electric violin and vocals, Hip-Hop/R&B, Reggaeton & EDM
- Robin VanLear – Visual and Performance Artist; sculpture, design and community-based production
- Alberto Veronica Lopez – Visual Artist; Ceramics
- Chris Webb – Media and Performance Artist; film, journalism and literary arts
- Megan Young – Transdisciplinary Artist; interactive design and immersive media
Jeremy V. Johnson, Assembly for the Arts’ President and CEO, said this year’s Creative Impact Fund awardees are forward-thinking artists who have strong resumes of inventive artistic work.
“We are thrilled to award these meaningful grants to this group of 17 artists who were selected because of the impact their work has on their communities,” Johnson said. “They represent a variety of artistic disciplines and are in different phases of their careers. We have award winners, Fulbright scholars, artists under age 30 and artists over age 70 and everything in between. Grants of this size, coupled with professional development and networking, can be career changing, and this group has earned this investment in their work.”
The panel of national jurors who reviewed and selected the awardees is a diverse group of artists in a variety of disciplines. Jurors and their disciplines are:
- Clay Scofield - Visiting Assistant Professor, Art, Media + Poetry, Indiana University – Bloomington; Digital Art
- Johanna Winters - Assistant Professor, Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, Indiana University – Bloomington; Video and Performance
- India Nicole Burton – Theater Playwright, Director, Educator, Theatre Educator, Chicago; Theater
- Jenai Cutcher - Free-range Tap Dancer, Educator, Writer, Documentarian, New York and Chicago; Dance
- Asa Featherstone - Photographer and Curator, Cincinnati; Photography
- Irma Hayes - Director, Gallery 46 and Deputy Director of Economic and Community Development, City of Harper Woods, Detroit; Visual Artist
- Asia Hamilton - Founding Director, Norwest Gallery, Detroit; Photography, installation, curatorial
- Danielle Burns Wilson - Executive Director, Project Row Houses, Houston; Curator, Arts Educator
- Chris Cobb - Music Venue Alliance Nashville; Music Policy & Advocacy
- Ivonne Cotorruelo - Film Curator, New York City; Film
- Andrew Aaron Valdez - Artistic Coordinator, Yale Repertory Theater, New York City; Theater, Visual Art, Poetry
- Rob Blackson - Curatorial Director, ArtPhilly, Philadelphia; Design and Visual Arts
- Leigh Goldenberg - Managing Director, Wilma Theater, Philadelphia; Theater
- Mona Wiley - Program Specialist, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Pittsburgh; Visual and Music Artist
- Orlando Watson - Senior Director of Programming, August Wilson Center for the Performing Arts, Pittsburgh; Literary Artist/Poet
Learn more about the Creative Impact Fund artists at https://assemblycle.org/2024-creative-impact-fund-awardees/. Information about other funding opportunities for individual artists and creatives in Cuyahoga County is available at https://assemblycle.org/artistfunding/.
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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
Individual Artists: Yes, Yes, and Yes
Source: CAN Journal, Michael Gill
Date: August 6, 2025
Abstract:
The phrase “preaching to the choir” is made for moments like this: CAN Journal’s endorsement in favor of Cuyahoga County’s cigarette tax for the arts might seem completely unnecessary. Our readers are interested in art and artists, and the organizations that support them, and Collective Arts Network (CAN) has benefitted directly from the tax through general operating support for the last half-dozen years. Our endorsement is no surprise. Nonetheless, the last year’s discussion about Cuyahoga Arts and Culture (CAC) gives us a good reason to weigh in.
The true value of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture tax - a thriving community: Geralyn M. Presti and Chinenye Nkemere
Source: Cleveland.com, Opinion
Date: July 8, 2024
Abstract: CLEVELAND — Millions of people from across the socioeconomic spectrum benefit annually from Cuyahoga County’s robust, publicly funded arts and culture nonprofit scene. Our arts and culture sector creates thousands of family-supporting jobs, pumps hundreds of millions into our economy, drives tourism, offers thousands of opportunities, experiences, and safe alternatives for schoolchildren, enhances neighborhoods, and is a source of pride for our region.
Nearly 500 organizations throughout the county have received funding from our voter-supported 1.5-cent tax on cigarettes since its inception. Those organizations provide many programs for our diverse population, tens of thousands of Cleveland area schoolchildren, and hundreds of thousands of residents at no cost.