Jeremy Johnson is an outspoken champion for cities, public-private initiatives, and the role of the creative sector in improving America’s communities. He became President and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, a regional arts council, in June 2021. Assembly’s mission is to unify and strengthen greater Cleveland’s arts and culture sector.  The organization seeks to expand the pie of resources for, and increase equity within, the sector.

Jeremy is leading Assembly to reignite Cleveland’s creative economy, which generates $9.1B annually and supports nearly 65,000 jobs. Jeremy helped secure $6.3M in federal arts investments from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) via city and county partnerships.  He launched the Artist Leadership Residency, an entrepreneurial training cohort for 25 diverse artists and creative businesses.

Jeremy previously served on the leadership team that created the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. He was the Philanthropic Liaison for Newark Mayor (now Senator) Cory Booker and Mayor Ras Baraka.  As Executive Director at Newark Arts, Jeremy led the city to become ranked among the nation’s top-ten arts vibrant communities.

He has served on civic, cultural and higher education boards, including, currently, University Circle, Inc. and the AEP6 Equity Task Force for Americans for the Arts. He began his career as an intern at Lincoln Center in New York.  A native Clevelander from the Hough and Glenville neighborhoods, Jeremy is a first-generation college graduate.  He went to University School and attended Kenyon College, University of Iowa, and Rutgers Business School’s Institute for Ethical Leadership.