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The Rapid Action Grant is designed to help boost artists’ ability to fund their creative projects and fill in the gaps when immediate needs arise. Through this program, Cuyahoga County-based artists can request funds to help them with expenses for a public event, project or program or for unexpected costs that arise related to their creative practice. The grant provides rapid disbursement of funds up to $2,000*. Applications are reviewed in the order that they are received and on a rolling basis throughout the year until all program funds have been distributed. 

Who can apply?

• Individual artists ages 18 and older who live and work in Cuyahoga County.  
• Artists who need a funding boost to help cover costs for a public, arts-related project, event or program. 
• Artists who need funds for an unexpected or emergency expense related to their creative practice.  
• Artists cannot be board or staff members of Assembly, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture or Neighborhood Connections, or jurors of any Assembly artist programs. 
• Nonprofit organizations or businesses are not eligible to apply. 
• Artists can submit one (1) application to the Rapid Action Grant each calendar year.

FAQs 

What can I request funds for? 

Rapid Action Grant funds can help artists cover immediate project expenses. Any creative project, event or program can come with costs you weren’t expecting or may not have budgeted for. You might need additional supplies for a workshop, funds to pay artists at a showcase or an urgent need for a festival permit. Rapid Action can provide extra money to make your project possible.

Examples of eligible projects include, but aren’t limited to, artist-run festivals, exhibitions, fairs, performances, workshops, youth programs, public discussions and more. Projects and events should be open and accessible to the public and must take place in Cuyahoga County.

Emergency expenses associated with being a working artist do come up. Whether you find a water leak in your studio, discover you need another microphone or just can’t make the studio rent, the Rapid Action Grant is here to help. Examples of eligible urgent expenses include, but aren’t limited to, studio rent, maintenance, repair or utilities, replacing equipment or materials, unexpected exhibition or performance costs, contractor fees and more.

Ineligible expenses include personal needs such as medical bills, grocery bills, home utilities, or other personal expenses. For full details, please refer to the Guidelines selection criteria or contact Assembly at grants@assemblycle.org with questions.    

 How do I apply? 

Applying is simple! Artists can complete an online application by clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this page. Applications must be completed online through Submittable. Paper applications are not available for the Rapid Action Grant.  

If my application is approved, what’s the turnaround time to receive funds?  

Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received and on a rolling basis throughout the year until all program funds have been distributed. 

Funding decisions will be made within approximately two weeks after an application is submitted, with funds distributed within 30-days upon approval and receipt of required payment documents. 

Are there any funding requirements? 

Artists will need to sign an agreement, submit a W-9 and include the Assembly and CAC logo on program materials. Rapid Action Grant recipients are also required to have a personal bank account to have funds directly deposited. 

Rapid Action Grant is supported by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Workshops to Elevate Your Skills

You’ve got the creativity down. We are here to help you build the skills to better monetize your creative career. Through the generous support of Huntington, Assembly is delivering workshops around proposal-writing, financial skills, and other important practices that artists need for more economic stability.

Check back for more workshops.

RECORDING: Artist Statement and Proposal Writing Workshop

August 21, 2023, 5 p.m.

In partnership with The Cleveland Foundation, learn about the various types of proposals artists and creative entrepreneurs may encounter. Build a stronger artist statement and gain some writing tools to help you write your strongest project proposals.

• Boris Oicherman, Director of Grantmaking, Arts & Culture at The Cleveland Foundation, will discuss their available grant opportunity.
• Meg Matko, Director of Community Relationships, and independent artist will present information on writing compelling artist statements.
• Veronica “Ms. Vee” Thornton, Community Relations Consultant and owner of VEES Consulting will share information on proposal writing.

About the Creative Impact Fund 

The Assembly for the Arts Creative Impact Fund (CIF) will be awarded to sixteen (16) artists, art collectives, and informal groups with $6,250 for flexible funding and project-based placemaking. Our goal with this Fund is to support the investment and growth of transformative arts projects with a focus in redlined communities that lack arts investment, developing areas of significant arts activity, and promoting increased walkability. This Fund will help lay the groundwork for the City of Cleveland’s Rescue & Transformation Plan, which identified Arts and Neighborhood Amenities as a priority.    

The Creative Impact Fund is open to individual artists or art collectives of all expressions, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, film/motion pictures, dance, ballet, theatre, music, comedy/improv, writing/literature, architecture, design, and fashion. In addition to funds, CIF also includes professional development, marketing support, and connections (creative, business, and institutional). Priority will be given to artists of color and art collectives with diverse representation. The Creative Impact Fund is funded by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Individual artists, multi-disciplinary artist collectives, and informal groups are encouraged to apply.   

The Creative Impact Fund Includes: 

• $6,250 includes up to $2,500 in unrestricted support and $3,750 in project support  
• Support from Assembly’s staff who will advise project leads in attaining their project goals via marketing and professional development support and connections to institutional partners, potential collaborators or thought partners  
• Assembly for the Arts Membership    

Eligibility

• The Creative Impact Fund is open to individual artists and artist collectives that reside in Cuyahoga County.
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Applicants cannot be staff or board members of Assembly for the Arts or Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
• Applicant projects must be centered around arts and culture and focused in creative discipline including, but not limited to, visual art, media/film, dance, theater, music, comedy/improv, literature, design and/or craft.
• Eligible Creative Impact Fund projects must take place in one of the following neighborhoods:
  • Asiatown
  • Broadway-Slavic Village
  • Buckeye-Woodhill
  • Central-Kinsman
  • Clark Fulton
  • East Cleveland
  • Fairfax
  • Glenville
  • Hough
  • Lee Harvard
  • Midtown
  • Mr. Pleasant
  • North Collinwood
  • Shaker Square
  • South Collinwood
  • St. Clair Superior
  • Union Miles

• Applicants do not need to reside in one of listed neighborhoods to be eligible for this program, however they must be able to demonstrate partnership or collaboration with residents of the community where their project is being proposed.
• Only one application per artist will be accepted. Please note: artists applying as part of a collective, will not be eligible to submit an individual application.

How to Apply

Interested artists and teams can apply using the online application found on this Assembly web page using the Apply button above.

Paper applications will be accepted for accessibility reasons on a case-by-case basis. If you have a disability and require assistance in applying for CIF, please contact cif@assemblycle.org

Additional language services and accessibility support for CIF applicants are available upon request.

Selection Criteria 

Applications will be evaluated for funds based on the following criteria:

• Artist or collective demonstrates past creative project management experience
• Artists or collectives that have limited past creative or project experience must be able to illustrate a plan to support the development of their proposed project
• Project is feasible within the confines of the proposed budget
• Project centers arts and culture and stimulates the investment and growth of redlined communities in the City of Cleveland or the City of East Cleveland
• Project is innovative and imaginative and demonstrates engagement with the community

Review Process

CIF grantees will be selected by a 3-5 person jury that includes artists, administrators, and community leaders from outside of the arts and culture industry, with one member of the jury from outside Greater Cleveland.

For questions and full program details, see the Program Guidelines and FAQ buttons above.

For additional questions, please email cif@assemblycle.org

Creative Impact Fund Information Sessions

Learn more about the Creative Impact Fund and how to apply at our upcoming info sessions.

Wed, March 22 / 4-5:30pm at East Cleveland Public Library 

Tues, March 28 / 12-1:30 pm via Zoom

Thurs, March 30 / 6-7:30pm at Union Miles Development Corp

Thurs, April 6 / 6-7:30pm at the LGBTQ Community Center

Creative Impact Fund Office Hours

Sign up for office hours learn more about the Creative Impact Fund and assistance with your application.

FAQ 

How much of the $6,250 should be project vs. flexible funds? Awardees can use up to $2,500 (maximum) as flexible funding and the remaining $3,750 must go towards your project.

What does flexible funding and project funding mean? Flexible funding means the funds are unrestricted and monies can be used to support both yourself and/or the project. Project funds are to be used to cover costs for developing, producing, and presenting your project. A budget is required as part of the CIF application. We encourage good practice around project management, budgeting, planning, and documenting. Recipients will have the accountability of budgeting and keeping documentation of expenses for final reporting, including receipts.

In addition to project and flexible funds, what else do CIF awardees receive? In addition to the $6,250, artists/collectives will receive support from Assembly’s staff who will be available to advise project leads in support of their project goals and needs. This includes connections to institutional partners, potential collaborators or thought partners, professional development, and marketing support. Awardees will also receive a complimentary Assembly for the Arts membership.

Are there any geography restrictions? Applicants must reside in Cuyahoga County.

Who is this Fund for? Open to individual artists, art collectives or informal groups (ages 18 and older) of all creative expressions, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, film/motion pictures, dance, ballet, theatre, music, comedy/improv, writing/literature, architecture, design, fashion, archaeology, history, natural history, or the natural sciences. In addition to funds, CIF also includes professional development, marketing support, and connections (creative, business, and institutional). Preference will be given to artists or art collectives who reside in redlined communities.

With a vision of ensuring that everyone benefits from a diverse and equitable arts and culture sector, we invite the people of Greater Cleveland to assemble for our quarterly state of the arts.

Quarterly Assemblies

Stay up to date on the most recent creative-industry-wide information over a meal and good company. Each quarter, we share updates on industry data trends, public policy, artist funding, racial equity initiatives, and more. As Assembly continues its work to expand resources and increase equity in Cleveland’s arts and culture scene, weigh-in on what you’d like to see. Share your voice and join the discussion by offering feedback. This event is for anyone, whether you work directly or indirectly with the arts industry. Attendees typically include artists, arts administrators, creative businesses, public officials, and anyone interested in connecting with the arts and cultural industries.

Each Assembly is held a different venue each month. Sign up for the Cadence to get receive updates on content and location as we approach the date.

And as always, if you have time after the discussion, stick around with us and continue networking with the amazing folks in our creative fields.

2024 Assemblies

(tentative schedule)

Thursday, March 7, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., at moCa

Wednesday, June 5, 6-7:30 pm., The Hildebrandt Building

Thursday, September 5, (cancelled)

Wednesday, December 11, 6-7:30 pm., Artfully Phi Gallery

Quarterly meetings are $15 and include a lunch or dinner. Members attend for free; login before you register. Topics of each Assembly vary as we shift direction, services, advocacy, and organizational output to meet community needs.