At a fiery meeting, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture moves toward outsourcing a controversial grant program to Assembly for the Arts

Source: Steven Litt, cleveland.com

Date: April 20, 2023

Abstract:

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, the public agency that collects and distributes cigarette tax money for the arts across the county, appears to be moving toward offloading the management of a controversial grant program for individual artists.

During a fiery board meeting Wednesday at the main branch of the Cleveland Public Library downtown, the CAC board voted to award a $20,000 grant to the nonprofit Assembly for the Arts, Greater Cleveland’s new arts council, to “refresh’’ earlier research from 2017 about how best to provide grants to individual artists.

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Arts group hopes grants will spur change in long-ignored neighborhoods in Greater Cleveland

Source: Signal Cleveland

Date: April 14, 2023

Abstract:

Few people associate redlining and art. Assembly for the Arts says that redlined communities often lack arts investment, including “areas of significant arts activity” that can help make a neighborhood more walkable. Assembly’s Creative Impact Fund (CIF), which is accepting applications through May 7, will award $6,250 grants to artists and artist collectives to create “transformative arts projects” in 16 Greater Cleveland communities.

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City Hall seeks its first high-ranking advocate to boost arts and culture as a major economic driver

Source: Steven Litt, cleveland.com

Date: April 13, 2023

Abstract:

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland is widely known as a haven of the arts with strong local philanthropy and public funding through Cuyahoga County’s cigarette tax for arts and culture. The city’s government, however, has not been known for playing a consistent and highly visible role in supporting the city’s cultural riches. That could soon change. The city is now seeking applicants for a new high-level position in the office of Mayor Justin Bibb called Senior Strategist, Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.

 

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Where Cleveland artists can affordably live and create is up for discussion Thursday

Source: ideastream

Date: April 10, 2023

Abstract:

Greater Cleveland’s creative sector, still recovering from the pandemic, is considering where it will live and work in the future. A recent survey of Cuyahoga County artists receiving ARPA funding found that 79% were concerned about having enough money to pay bills. A panel discussion Thursday brings together artists, community leaders and real estate professionals focused on ways to make housing and creative space more accessible and affordable.

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Assembly for the Arts opens applications for Creative Impact Fund

Source: Freshwater

Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Abstract: 

Officials with Assembly for the Arts, the advocacy and equity group for creatives, want to expand the arts to Cleveland and East Cleveland neighborhoods that often lack arts investment or arts activity.

So, through its Creative Impact Fund, 16 artists will be chosen from a pool of applicants to create transformational arts project in redlined Cleveland and East Cleveland communities. Applications are now open and the deadline to apply is May 7…

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Assembly for the Arts launches new fund for Cleveland artists

Source: ideastream

Date: March 17, 2023

Abstract:

Applications are now open for a new funding opportunity through Cleveland-based nonprofit Assembly for the Arts. The Creative Impact Fund will award money to 16 artists.

The new funding opportunity comes from a $140,000 Support for Artists grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Ideastream Public Media also receives support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture…

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Cleveland aims to add a senior-level arts leader to the Bibb administration

Bureaucracy busters rejoice: The city of Cleveland is planning to create a senior-level position for the arts, culture, and the creative economy to serve as the point person for the arts at city hall and help bridge the gap with local artists, according to a presentation to city council by planning director Joyce Huang earlier this month…

Source: The Land, Lee Chilcote
Date: March 1, 2023

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Karamu House, 10 people on stage with colorful lighting hold their arms out

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture approves 2023 grants for six organizations

Source: Karin Connelly Rice, Freshwater Cleveland

Date: December 15, 2022

Abstract: At its regular meeting of the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture board of trustees yesterday, Wednesday, Dec. 14, the board voted to approve six Northeast Ohio arts organizations for 2023 grant funding.

The board approved resident-led arts and culture grants to Neighborhood Connections and ioby in our own back yards). Neighborhood Connections received $60,500 to co-fund resident-led projects in Cleveland and East Cleveland and host five in-person gatherings for artists, arts & culture organizations, and residents in 2023; while ioby received $100,000 for the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Match Fund to support resident-led arts and culture projects in Cuyahoga County in 2023.

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Assembly's President and CEO, Jeremy Johnson named 2022 Crain's Power 150

2022 Crain’s Power 150

From CEOs and politicians to philanthropists and entrepreneurs, Crain’s “Power 150” list is just a snapshot of those leading some of Northeast Ohio’s most influential organizations and who are in a position to move the region forward.

Jeremy Johnson

President and CEO, Assembly for the Arts

Highlighted involvement: UniversityCircle Inc., AEP6 Equity Task Force for Americans for the Arts 

In the news: Following a national search, Assembly for the Arts tapped Johnson, a Cleveland native, to lead the arts and culture startup. The nonprofit, which aims to increase equity in Cleveland’s arts and culture industries, launched in summer 2021 after more than a year of planning by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Arts Cleveland, and the Arts and Culture Action Committee, with support from the Cleveland Foundation and the George Gund Foundation. In its first year, Assembly worked hand in hand with Cuyahoga Arts & Culture to secure $3.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. 

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Arts advocates are gathering input to help increase funding in Greater Cleveland

Date: December 19, 2022

By: Signal Cleveland, Olivera Perkins

Abstract: 

If you’re attending an arts or cultural event in Cuyahoga County in the next several months, don’t be surprised if volunteers invite you to complete a survey that includes asking what you spent in connection with attending the event.

They’re not being nosey. The volunteers are part of a national effort to document the economic impact of the arts locally and then use these findings as leverage to increase government and other funding for arts.

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