STATE LEGISLATION GRANTS NEW OPTION TO FUND ARTS NONPROFITS IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY
NEWS RELEASE
Date: January 13, 2023
Media Contact: Malissa Bodmann
216-536-7517
STATE LEGISLATION GRANTS NEW OPTION TO FUND ARTS NONPROFITS IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY
CLEVELAND – The Ohio Legislature, through Senate Bill 164, has given permissive authority to convert Cuyahoga County’s existing cigarette tax from a per-unit tax to a tax based on the percentage of sales and to expand it to include vapor products. Any changes made to the current tax that funds Cuyahoga Arts & Culture would require support of a majority of Cuyahoga County voters casting ballots on the issue. No decision has been made when or if the issue may be placed on an upcoming election ballot.
Senate Bill 164, which was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine, is not a new tax. Rather, it is permissive language that allows the county to decide whether or not to convert and expand the current tax. The bill gives Cuyahoga County and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture the option of placing an issue on the ballot. The current tax, expected to expire in January 2027, would remain in place unless the voters approved converting if. The arts and culture creative sector contributes $9.1 billion to the local economy, providing jobs and helping improve the quality of life.
“Cigarette sales have been declining at a steady pace for decades, leading to a significant declining revenue for Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC),” said Jill Paulsen, executive director of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. “CAC, which is funded solely by the excise tax on cigarettes, is the only political subdivision in Cuyahoga County that has declining revenue. CAC has a 15-year track record of supporting arts and culture experiences that have reached millions of residents. We have distributed $230 million in funding since 2007, and it is vital for our vibrant community that public funding for the arts continues.”
Jeremy Johnson, executive director and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, said: “A stable, well-funded creative sector is essential for the vibrancy of our region. We began looking at alternative funding options to help replace the approximately 40% in lost revenues since the inception of the tax. We thank Governor Mike DeWine and our State Legislators for giving Cuyahoga County voters the option to consider new revenue support for arts and culture.”
About:
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) is the region’s largest funder for arts and culture, helping hundreds of organizations in Cuyahoga County connect millions of people to cultural experiences each year. Since 2006, CAC has invested $230 million in over 470 organizations, making our community a more vibrant place to live, work and play. CAC is a separate government entity and a political subdivision of the State of Ohio. For more information, visit cacgrants.org.
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 CharitableFoundation, Fred & Laura Beth Bidwell,and Barbara S. Robinson.www.assemblycle.org
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ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS HIRES CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER
December 5, 2022
Media Contact:
Malissa Bodmann
216-536-7517
ASSEMBLY FOR THE ARTS HIRES CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER
Arts Champion Will Draw on Her Experience with Diverse Artists and Institutions
CLEVELAND, OHIO — Assembly for the Arts has hired arts leader Deidre McPherson as its first Chief Community Officer. McPherson will lead efforts to improve equity and connections among arts nonprofits, individual creatives and small business communities in Northeast Ohio.
Jeremy Johnson, President and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, said McPherson will help the organization achieve its mission to ensure that everyone who lives and works in Greater Cleveland benefits from a diverse and equitable art and cultural sector.
“Deidre is a widely known and respected arts champion. She understands Greater Cleveland’s arts and culture landscape. I’ve seen her work firsthand, leading various initiatives that center the voices of our region’s diverse creatives. She will be a great asset to our team, making connections and expanding efforts to understand and deliver what artists of color and other communities need to thrive,” Johnson said.
Prior to joining Assembly, McPherson held leadership roles at the Cleveland Museum of Art (2017-2021) and the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (2014-2017). At both institutions, she was responsible for curating and managing events and exhibition-inspired programs designed to create vibrant, socially relevant, and welcoming destinations. Most recently, McPherson was the Director of Artistic and Community Initiatives for FRONT International Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art (2021-2022), where she introduced community engagement practices that focused on uplifting historically marginalized populations of Greater Cleveland.
McPherson said she was drawn to Assembly because it has “has done an incredible job developing an artist and community-centered approach that has a bold and unapologetic focus on eradicating inequities in the arts. Jeremy Johnson, the Assembly board, and staff have put the organization in a strong position with great opportunities ahead. I’m extremely proud to have a chance to work alongside them to build on what’s been accomplished to date.”
“I want artists and our creative community to know that they don’t have to leave Cleveland for larger cities to have a sustainable career,” she said. “We have an arts ecosystem led by bright leaders with visionary ideas that can transform and improve the quality of life in our communities. We have the talent, grit, amenities, and passion to make our city a place where artists and creatives can build, and entrepreneurs can thrive. I’m committed to working with Assembly to support them
in bringing their creative projects to life in ways that help improve the quality of life for Clevelanders, especially in parts of our city that need it the most.”
McPherson earned an MBA in marketing from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in music performance. She serves on the boards of Bike Cleveland, Sankofa Fine Art Plus, and Cleveland VOTES.
ABOUT
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, Fred & Laura Beth Bidwell, and Barbara S. Robinson. www.assemblycle.org
12 arts orgs receive $7.55-million
PRESS RELEASE: November 1, 2022
Media Contact: Malissa Bodmann; 216-536-7517
12 CUYAHOGA COUNTY ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED $7.55-MILLION IN STATE CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION
CLEVELAND, OH – The State of Ohio’s 2023-2024 capital appropriations budget awarded $7.55 million to arts and culture organizations in Cuyahoga County, providing critical funding to allow building projects and improvements to move forward. The state funds were distributed in September 2022.
“A robust creative economy is crucial to the vitality of Cuyahoga County. As we wrap up National Arts and Humanities Month, we wanted to salute the commitment to the arts from the Cuyahoga delegation and the other members of the Ohio General Assembly who voted to invest in arts and culture,” Jeremy Johnson, President and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, said. “Each dollar that we spend strengthening the creative sector brings dividends back to the local economy.”
Cuyahoga County’s nationally recognized arts and culture sector comprises diverse and wide-ranging nonprofit institutions, individual artists, and small businesses. Prior to the pandemic, the local creative economy generated $9.1 billion annually and supported 62,500 jobs.
State Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) said he was pleased to support capital improvements for arts and culture in Cuyahoga County. “It’s important that our communities will reap benefits from the capital bill. This investment will help our region and bring growth to our jobs and economy across the state,” he said. “Our region’s arts and culture sector is an economic engine that contributes to the quality of life for every Northeast Ohio resident.”
State Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood), a champion for arts and culture, said “capital investments in arts and culture strengthen our local economies and increase access to cultural experiences that reflect the diversity of our region. Northeast Ohio residents will benefit from cultural facilities that will be brighter, safe and more accessible.”
Funding for the following 12 capital projects will bring improvements and expansion to their respective facilities across the county. The projects include restorations, renovations, major maintenance, design and safety enhancements. The investments will ultimately enhance the vibrancy of the region and boost travel and tourism in the area.
| Eric Mendelsohn Park Synagogue Campus Restoration | $1,000,000 |
| Playhouse Square | $1,000,000 |
| Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Expansion | $1,000,000 |
| Cleveland Museum of Art Horace Kelley Art Foundation Lobby Renovation Phase II | $900,000 |
| Cleveland Museum of Natural History | $900,000 |
| The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) | $550,000 |
| Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum | $500,000 |
| Kulas Hall Renovation – Cleveland Institute of Music | $500,000 |
| Severance Music Center, Home of The Cleveland Orchestra | $500,000 |
| New Bridge Cleveland Center for Arts and Technology | $325,000 |
| Beck Center for the Arts | $200,000 |
| Karamu House Educational Wing Renovations | $175,000 |
“Bolstering the arts and culture ecosystem will help our economy recover from the pandemic,” said Fred Bidwell, Assembly for the Arts Board of Trustees President. “A stronger creative sector brings more money to local retail, restaurants and lodging. We are grateful for this vital State support for our essential arts and culture institutions.”
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ABOUT
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, Fred & Laura Beth Bidwell, and Barbara S. Robinson. www.assemblycle.org
WAGE Session for Artists and Groups that Hire Them
Assembly for the Arts Workbench Session: A Conversation with W.A.G.E.
Virtual Event: November 3, 2022, 4:30 – 6 p.m. ET
Assembly for the Arts is bringing artist and organizer, Lise Soskolne, to the Workbench Session on November 3, 2022.
During this virtual session, Lise, a co-founder and core organizer of Working Artists in the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E.) will introduce its primary programs, W.A.G.E. Certification and WAGENCY, and discuss W.A.G.E.’s broader effort to organize artists, institutions, and soon art workers, around a shared politics of labor. A group discussion will follow.
Since its founding in 2008, W.A.G.E.’s work has developed in service of a single achievable goal — regulating the payment of artist fees in the nonprofit sector. In the context of contemporary art, in which the unpaid labor of artists supports a multi billion-dollar industry, W.A.G.E.’s mission is to establish sustainable economic relationships between artists and the institutions that contract artists’ labor, and to introduce mechanisms for self-regulation into the art field that collectively bring about a more equitable distribution of its economy.
About Lise Soskolne
Lise Soskolne is an artist with over 15 years of work experience in arts presenting, administration and development at downtown New York City nonprofits. Since the late 1990s these have included Anthology Film Archives, Artists Space, Diapason Gallery for Sound, Meredith Monk/The House Foundation for the Arts, Participant Inc, and Roulette Intermedium. Along with many others, she is a co-founder of W.A.G.E. and has been its core organizer since 2012.
W.A.G.E. Certified institutions in OH
- Wave Pool, Cincinnati, OH
- FRONT International, Cleveland, OH
- Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
FRONT International, Case Western Reserve University and The Assembly for the Arts to Host The Art Futures Forum on September 16 and 17
FRONT International, Case Western Reserve University and The Assembly for the Arts to Host The Art Futures Forum on September 16 and 17
This first-ever summit will focus on equity in the visual arts from an academic, institutional and community perspective.
(Cleveland, OH – September 9, 2022) — FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art, in partnership with Case Western Reserve University and Assembly for the Arts, is pleased to announce a two-day conference taking place September 16–17, 2022, to engage the public in conversations about how arts institutions can better reflect and fulfill the needs of their communities. The Cleveland Museum of Art will host the first day of the conference at Gartner Auditorium. The following day will occur at the Samson Pavilion, within Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic's joint Health Education Campus.
"We are excited to launch this unprecedented gathering of leaders in our arts community," said Fred Bidwell, Executive Director of FRONT International. "This partnership with Case Western Reserve University and The Assembly for the Arts is a promising opportunity for thought leaders in our community to collaborate on ways that arts and culture can better reflect and serve our communities. We hope to repeat the Art Futures Forum during the next edition of FRONT in 2025 so that we can benchmark our progress."
Its first day serves as the 48th annual edition of The Cleveland Symposium—one of the longest-running yearly art history graduate symposia in the United States—organized by students in Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Museum of Art's joint graduate program. This year's Symposium is entitled Recentering the Periphery: An Inclusive Future of Art History and will feature presentations by visiting scholars and graduate students from universities across the country. These presentations will explore how scholars and institutions can help reshape art historical narratives and recenter subjects long treated as peripheral, broadening the boundaries of the traditionally defined art historical canon and curriculum in an endeavor towards a more equitable future for the discipline.
The second day of the Art Futures Forum will focus on how cultural institutions can better share stories of creative expression and consider new models to serve and empower their communities. The day will start with a panel discussion with the leaders of major arts institutions in Northeast Ohio, moderated by Jennifer Coleman, Program Director, Creative Culture and Art for the George Gund Foundation. The panel will be Fred Bidwell, Executive Director of FRONT International; Bill Griswold, Director of the Cleveland Museum of Art; Jon Fiume, Director of the Akron Art Museum; Kathryn Heidemann, President of the Cleveland Institute of Art; and Megan Lykins-Reich, Director of moCa Cleveland. After several years of turbulence and reflection in the museum field, these leaders will discuss what they have done and are planning to do to meet the heightened expectations of the communities they serve. Following the panel and lunch, attendees can choose to participate in one of a selection of Community Conversations. These Community Conversations aim to create a space for neighborhood-focused community leaders and artists to introduce their initiatives and discuss how institutions and individuals with access can leverage their power in support of initiatives in underserved communities as part of their equity efforts. By convening artists, arts administrators, funders, scholars, and creative entrepreneurs, the Art Futures Forum hopes to foster meaningful connections and inspire purposeful actions.
Day one programming is presented with support from the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities, Nancy and Joseph Keithley, and Friends of Art. Programming for day two is presented with support by the George Gund Foundation and The Terra Foundation.
About FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art
Launched in 2018, FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art is a free, public contemporary art exhibition comprising artist commissions, performances, films, and public programs. The inaugural edition brought over 90,000 visitors from more than 25 countries and generated $31 million in economic impact in the region. Oh, Gods of Dust and Rainbows, the second iteration of FRONT International will run from July 16 through October 2, 2022. Building on the first edition's success, FRONT 2022 furthers the Triennial's commitment to the belief that by supporting creative communities and stimulating new cultural encounters in the region, contemporary art can be an essential catalyst for positive social change. For more information, visit frontart.org or follow @FRONTtriennial.
About Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is one of the country's leading private research institutions. Located in Cleveland, we offer a unique combination of forward-thinking educational opportunities in an inspiring cultural setting. Our leading-edge faculty engage in teaching and research in a collaborative, hands-on environment. Our nationally recognized programs include arts and sciences, dental medicine, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing and social work. About 5,800 undergraduate and 6,300 graduate students comprise our student body. Visit case.edu to see how Case Western Reserve thinks beyond the possible.
About Assembly for the Arts
Assembly for the Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a focus on advocacy, cultural policy, racial equity initiatives, research, marketing that elevates the region, and services for nonprofits, artists, and creative businesses. It is governed by a volunteer board with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Assembly 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, Fred & Laura Beth Bidwell, and Barbara S. Robinson. www.assemblycle.org
Press Contacts
Hunter Braithwaite
Director, Cultural Counsel
hunter@culturalcounsel.com
Emma Frohardt
Account Executive, Cultural Counsel
emma@culturalcounsel.com
Devon Ma
Account Coordinator, Cultural Counsel
devon@culturalcounsel.com
Assembly for the Arts Selects Arts Leadership Residency Cohort
PRESS RELEASE: September 7, 2022
Media Contact: Malissa Bodmann | 216-536-7517
Assembly for the Arts Selects Arts Leadership Residency Cohort
26 participants represent individual artists, nonprofits and creative businesses
CLEVELAND, OHIO — Assembly for the Arts has named the first cohort of the Arts Leadership Residency in partnership with the Cleveland Leadership Center (CLC). The 26 participants reflect Assembly’s commitment to increase equity in the arts and culture sector. Of the 25 who responded, more than 70% identify as Black or African American, 68% are women, 12% are nonbinary, 16% live with a disability.
The program provides management support, coaching, and tools to artists, cultural nonprofits, and small- to mid-sized creative businesses. Expanding on the model of traditional artist residencies, the Arts Leadership Residency offers a $1,000 stipend and dedicated learning sessions to address a self-defined business goal or objective. Participants will have access to entrepreneurial expertise, mentorship from the CLC alumni network, and expertise of the other artists and small creative businesses participating in the program.
The Arts Leadership Residency begins September 2022 and runs through February 2023.
The artists selected for the program are:
- Amanda Dian King, Amanda D. King Studio
- Antwoine Washington, Museum of Creative Human Art
- Ashley Rowell, ATNSC
- Charde Young
- Charmaine Spencer
- Christina Keegan
- Cierra Rembert
- Denise Astorino, LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
- Diana Chittester
- Diane M. Troyer
- Ephraim Abdullah, AfricaHouse International
- Erykah Townsend
- Gina Washington, The Visit Arts Collective and Mateza Gallery
- Jonathan Lee Thomas, FashionTV Network/Great Lakes TV
- Kierra McDade, Temple of Passions
- Maegen Holm
- Mary Kay Thomas, Rhythmic Artistry
- Kayli Salzano, Waterloo Arts
- Nicole Hatcher, Foluke Cultural Arts Center, Inc
- Odin Blak, Dark Blak Studios
- Robin Robinson, Sankofa Fine Art Plus
- Samuel McIntosh, 10K Movement
- Talise Campbell, Djapo Cultural Arts Institute
- Tanya Kaiser, Kaiser Gallery
- Valerie Mayen, Yellowcake Shop
- Zuggie Tate, Black Space Inc.
“We are thrilled to launch this cohort to strengthen a talented and diverse group of artists through the Arts Leadership Residency, powered by Huntington and the Huntington Entrepreneur in Residence program,” said Jeremy Johnson, president and CEO of Assembly for the Arts. “These artists, nonprofits and creative businesses are already impactful in their work, but the coaching with an equity lens from Cleveland Leadership Center will help take their work to the next level. The program was designed to help artists, especially artists of color, break down barriers to success through access to business resources, networking and dedicated time. ”
Assembly received support from the Entrepreneur In Residence Powered by Huntington and The George Gund Foundation for the development of this program. The George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation and the ArtsNEXT program of the Ohio Arts Council provided additional support to the Arts Leadership Residency
ABOUT
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, Fred & Laura Beth Bidwell, and Barbara S. Robinson. www.assemblycle.org
Cleveland Leadership Center (CLC) provides collaborative leadership training, civic education and connections to leaders of all ages, empowering them to identify and take action on issues that resonate with them and positioning them to become change agents in the community. www.cleveleads.org
Entrepreneur in Residence powered by Huntington https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/huntington-bank-and-city-of-cleveland-announce-entrepreneurship-program-to-help-regions-small-businesses-grow-301468659.html
Cuyahoga County to Participate in National ‘Arts & Economic Prosperity 6’ Study
For immediate release: August 31, 2022
Press Contact: Malissa Bodmann
(216) 536-7517
malissa@compellingcommunicationsllc.com
Cuyahoga County to Participate in National ‘Arts & Economic Prosperity 6’ Study
Data Collection for Most Comprehensive Study of Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry
Cleveland, Ohio - Assembly for the Arts is pleased to participate in Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States. Administered by Americans for the Arts, AEP6 will examine the economic impact of the arts and culture in Cuyahoga County and 386 additional communities representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The Arts & Economic Prosperity® series is conducted approximately every five years to gauge the economic impact of spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and the event-related spending by their audiences. In 2017, AEP5 documented that the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $166.3 billion in economic activity (spending by organizations plus the event-related spending by their audiences) which supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in government revenue. The AEP series demonstrates that an investment in the arts provides both cultural and economic benefits.
Audience-intercept surveys will be collected from people attending arts events in Cuyahoga County through April 2023—in total, the national sample is anticipated to surpass 250,000 surveys. A survey of nonprofit arts and culture organizations will occur from January through April 2023. The national and local findings will be made public in September 2023. At that time, Assembly for the Arts will receive a customized report on the unique economic impact results for Cuyahoga County including the number of jobs that are supported and the amount of government revenue that is generated by our community’s nonprofit arts industry.
Americans for the Arts is committed to addressing equity and inclusion as a critical component of the methodology, organizational participation, and collection of data for AEP6 by centering and representing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, Native American) identifying communities—a segment of the nonprofit arts and culture sector that has been underrepresented in past studies.
The AEP6 study will establish a benchmark of arts and culture organizations that primarily serve communities of color, and the audiences that attend their events. It will also identify organizations that have a chief executive who identifies as BIPOC/ALAANA. Researchers will use this data to calculate and report on the economic impact of the BIPOC/ALAANA arts sector in each of the participating communities.
According to Jeremy V. Johnson, president and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, “This a beautiful opportunity to be part of a bold endeavor to clearly demonstrate and quantify with hard data the economic and social benefit the arts and culture industry brings to local communities. Assembly is poised to lead AEP6 and partner with organizations who have long committed to protecting, preserving, and growing equitable and inclusive communities through arts and culture.”
Nolen V. Bivens, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, commented, “The arts are economic catalysts—strengthening the economy by creating jobs, generating government revenue, and driving tourism. Community is where the arts make a difference, and while the national impact data are impressive, at its core, AEP6 is a local story. I look forward to seeing its results, which will be key in persuading decision-makers that the arts benefit all people in all communities.”
Please visit Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) for more information and a full list of the communities participating in the AEP6 study.
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.
www.assemblycle.org
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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.
Cuyahoga County Approves $3.3 Million
Cuyahoga County Approves $3.3 Million in Funding Made Possible by American Rescue Plan Act to Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and Assembly for the Arts to Support the Creative Economy
Funds will support arts nonprofits, creative workers, and for-profit creative businesses
CLEVELAND (July 5, 2022) – Today, Cuyahoga County Council awarded $3.3 million in funding made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act to Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and Assembly for the Arts to help bolster the creative economy, a sector hit hard by the ongoing pandemic.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and Assembly for the Arts worked collaboratively to secure support from Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and County Council President Pernel Jones, Jr. County Council approved the funds by a unanimous vote. The $3.3 million will be evenly split between CAC and Assembly ($1.65 Million to each). CAC will subgrant to arts nonprofits and Assembly will subgrant to artists and creative businesses.
“Cuyahoga County is known for its vibrant arts and culture community, which is sadly still suffering the negative effects from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “We are providing additional funds to ensure that arts and culture survive and thrive. It is our goal to help the entire creative economy continue their artistry in Cuyahoga County and remain the inspirational community asset they have always been.”
Council President Pernel Jones, Jr. added, “County Council is pleased to support arts and culture with these funds, made possible by ARPA, especially knowing they will reach nonprofits, businesses and artists living in every Council District.”
CAC’s Executive Director Jill M. Paulsen said the creative sector was hard hit by the COVID-19 economic downturn and has yet to recover. Organizations funded by CAC reported more than $171 million in lost revenues from March 2020 through December 2021, impacting the employment of more than 5,000 people.
“We are thrilled to be able to grant $1.65 million from the County to local arts nonprofits when they need it the most. This allocation from County Council and the County Executive demonstrates they value the work our arts and culture nonprofits do to contribute to quality of life in Cuyahoga County,” Paulsen said. “We know the organizations we fund are grateful, and on their behalf, we say thank you to the County.”
“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 thank the County Executive and the County Council for helping 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.”
Soon both organizations will announce processes to apply for funds. CAC will make grants to eligible CAC grant recipients that have a primary mission of arts and culture. For-profits and creative workers can apply to receive funding from Assembly for the Arts.
Previous CAC grant recipients can request a notification when funding is available here. Individual artists and small cultural businesses can visit www.AssemblyCLE.org/arpa for more information.
Together, CAC and Assembly (through its predecessor organization Arts Cleveland) have secured $7.8 million in recovery funding for the creative economy through American Rescue Plan Act and Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds provided by Cuyahoga County since 2020.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) is one of the largest local public funders for arts and culture in the nation, helping hundreds of organizations in Cuyahoga County connect millions of people to cultural experiences each year. Since 2006, CAC has invested more than $218 million in 445 organizations both large and small, making our community a more vibrant place to live, work and play. For more information, visit cacgrants.org.
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.
New Arts Leadership Residency to Support Small Creative Businesses
June 15, 2022
CLEVELAND
A new type of residency for artists and arts entrepreneurs is accepting applications beginning June 15, 2022. Assembly for the Arts is partnering with the Cleveland Leadership Center (CLC) in developing the program development as part of Assembly’s Entrepreneur in Residence program powered by Huntington.
In keeping with Assembly’s mission, the program will be delivered through a Racial Equity lens and provide management support, coaching, and tools to a cohort of 20-25 artists and small- to mid-sized creative businesses. The announcement falls exactly one year after Assembly for the Arts was launched to expand the pie of resources and increase equity in and for Cleveland’s arts and culture sector.
Expanding on the model of traditional artist residencies, the Arts Leadership Residency offers a $1000 stipend and dedicated learning sessions to address a self-defined business goal or objective. Participants will have access to entrepreneurial expertise, mentorship from the CLC alumni network, and expertise of the other artists and small creative businesses participating in the program.
“Since launching Assembly, it has been clear that creative businesses, particularly those led by artists of color, have unique challenges that often do not have simple answers,” said Chinenye Nkemere, a Founding Board Member of Assembly. “This program will not only open access to resources and networks for BIPOC-led businesses, it will help all these artists and businesses build more inclusive practices and stronger business relationships across disciplines.”
Assembly partnered with CLC because of its track record of success in positioning leaders at all levels and stages of life to be catalysts for positive change and its longstanding commitment to ensuring racial equity is central to all its civic leadership programs.
“We are excited about this opportunity to apply our skills, networks, and understanding of the civic realm to a cutting-edge and laser-focused offering in the arts and culture sector,” said Marianne Crosley, CLC President and CEO. “We look forward to inspiring these arts leaders, connecting them to the community, and positioning them to be agents of positive change committed to advancing equity in our communities.”
“With this partnership, we are looking forward to offering artists the businesses some of the best expertise Cleveland has to offer, alongside some dedicated time and headspace so that they can grow and create solutions on their own terms,” agreed Jeremy Johnson, Assembly for the Arts President and CEO.
“This kind of work is precisely why we developed the Entrepreneur in Residence Powered by Huntington program,” said Carrie Carpenter, Huntington’s senior vice president, regional manager, corporate affairs and a founding board member of Assembly. “As a bank focused on making people’s lives better, helping businesses thrive, and strengthening the communities we serve, we want to empower businesses to grow responsibly and help Cleveland evolve to a place where financial strength is the norm in every neighborhood.”
The Arts Leadership Residency will take place over 6 months starting in late September 2022. 10-15 spaces are available for the first pilot group, which will be selected to ensure a wide range of artistic disciplines with a commitment to entrepreneurship and racial equity. Ten additional spots are reserved for Assembly’s fiscal sponsorship projects, and, in partnership with FRONT International, the artists selected for the Art Futures Fellowship.
Deadline to apply is July 15, 2022. Information and application is available on Assembly’s website https://assemblycle.org/arts-leadership-residency/
ABOUT
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. www.assemblycle.org
Cleveland Leadership Center (CLC) provides collaborative leadership training, civic education and connections to leaders of all ages, empowering them to identify and take action on issues that resonate with them and positioning them to become change agents in the community. www.cleveleads.org
Entrepreneur in Residence powered by Huntington https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/huntington-bank-and-city-of-cleveland-announce-entrepreneurship-program-to-help-regions-small-businesses-grow-301468659.html
Media contacts:
- Valerie Schumacher, Assembly for the Arts, 216-575-0331, x128, valerie@assemblycle.org
- Michael Bennett, Cleveland Leadership Center, 216-592-2426, mbennett@cleveleads.org