The 2024 Capital Budget delivered a major boost to 17 Cuyahoga County arts and culture organizations, with over $16 million allocated to support expansions and other building  projects. As part of the nearly $100 million statewide investment in arts and culture through House Bill 2, the funds went to theaters, museums, galleries and more.  See the complete list at CreativeOhio. The investments underscore the transformative impact of state funding on the region’s creative economy.

The inaugural Greater Cleveland Music Census drew insights from 2,768 participants, shedding light on critical gaps in the region’s music ecosystem. Key findings pointed to a shortage of performance stages and a lack of support for venues operating outside the nonprofit sector. Respondents emphasized the need for mentorship, revenue development opportunities, and incentives for venues to spotlight local talent. Among proposed solutions were tax breaks and increased public arts funding aimed at bolstering Cleveland’s music economy and nurturing the broader creative sector.

Cleveland Heights received a $390,000 grant from the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program to enhance Cain Park’s outdoor arts and recreation facilities. Paired with over $2 million in ARPA funds, the project will include upgraded dressing rooms, modernized public restrooms, and state-of-the-art audio, visual, and lighting systems. The renovations promise a transformed experience for performers and audiences, solidifying Cain Park’s reputation as a premier destination for arts and culture in the region.

The Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) received $250,000 in state funding to develop a water technology exhibit focused on preserving freshwater resources like Lake Erie. The initiative underscores Cleveland’s leadership in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability. GLSC also collaborated with the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MoCA) and artist Andrea Bowers on “Lake Erie: Exist, Flourish, Evolve,” a monumental neon installation inspired by the Lake Erie Bill of Rights. Created with Cleveland artist David Helton — renowned for his iconic WMMS “The Buzzard” illustrations — and NavCour Glassware, the work urges viewers to reflect on their role in protecting the Great Lakes. Displayed at both GLSC and MoCA, the installation addressed the urgent need for environmental stewardship.

Cleveland Heights sought to balance its identity as a home for the arts amid community concerns and financial constraints. The planned closure of Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park follows the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Library Board’s unanimous decision to end leases for over a dozen nonprofits at the former Coventry School, citing prohibitive repair costs. Many of the nonprofits have announced plans to relocate in 2025. In related news, Cleveland Heights City Council allocated $250,000 in ARPA funds to Heights Arts for a rebranding initiative aimed at unifying the Cedar-Lee District and strengthening its identity as the city’s cultural centerpiece.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame launched a $150 million expansion to grow the museum’s footprint by 33%, from 155,000 to 205,000 square feet. The project includes a dramatic new wing inspired by the iconic I.M. Pei pyramid and a 41% larger Main Exhibit Hall. Funded through Cuyahoga County bonds and donor pledges, the expansion will also add Cleveland’s newest outdoor cultural space. The Rock Hall also hosted this year’s Induction Ceremony, an internationally celebrated event, honoring legends like Cher, Mary J. Blige, and Peter Frampton. The event drew millions of global viewers and generated $50 million in economic impact.

Playhouse Square, Cleveland’s renowned theater district, has expanded its footprint with the acquisition of two properties: the former Greyhound Bus Station and the adjacent Cleveland Institute of Electronics building. Plans are underway to transform the electronics building into a state-of-the-art rehearsal center, while the bus station will be repurposed as a versatile performance and arts venue. The envisioned space could host cabaret, music, and other performances, offering a vibrant blend of dining, entertainment, and nightlife.

Cleveland transformed into Metropolis this summer as the latest Superman blockbuster was filmed in the city’s downtown streets. Producers spent an estimated $37 million in Ohio, bolstered by $11 million from the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit. The production generated significant local economic impact, including thousands of hotel room bookings, partnerships with local vendors, and job opportunities for regional crew members and background actors.

Assembly for the Arts distributed $170,000 through its 2024 Creative Impact Fund, supported by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Seventeen artists each received $10,000 in unrestricted funding to bolster their creative practices and strengthen connections within the Cleveland community. In its second year, the fund increased its grant awards by 60%, up from $6,250 per artist in 2023, making it one of the largest unrestricted grant opportunities for artists in the region. The program will continue in 2025 with some key changes to reach more artists with more funding opportunities.

The Cleveland Arts Prize (CAP) celebrated its 2024 recipients, awarding $36,000 across multiple categories. Prizes included $10,000 for Emerging Artist, Mid-Career, and Lifetime Achievement winners, along with special honors such as the Robert Bergman Prize, Martha Joseph Prize, and Barbara Robinson Prize. CAP also relaunched its Verge Fellowship, granting $2,000 each to five emerging artists.

Cleveland City Hall took on a new role as a gallery for regional talent under the leadership of Rhonda Brown, the city’s top arts official. Brown curated two exhibits in the Beaux Arts-style building: Discover the Promise: Impact, Legacy and Perspective,” co-created with Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, and “La Promesa: Celebrating Legacy, Empowering Generations, Inspiring the Future of Hispanic-Latino, a partnership with the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center.

Brown also elevated Cleveland’s presence on the national arts scene, helping eight local artists — five of them from the Cleveland Institute of Art  — secure spots at the Prizm Art Fair during Miami Art Week. Collaborating with Prizm founder Mikhaile Solomon, Assembly’s Chief Community Officer Deidre McPherson and local partners including CIA, Cleveland Museum of Art, and area philanthropies, Brown ensured Cleveland artists shine on a global stage.

The Cleveland International Piano Competition (CIPC) marked its 50th anniversary in 2024 with an extraordinary display of talent. Chinese pianist Zijian Wei, 25, claimed the $75,000 Mixon First Prize, along with multiple special honors, including the ChamberFest Cleveland Prize, Concerto Round Audience Prize, Junior Jury Prize, and the G. Henle Verlag Urtext Prize. The competition drew 265 applicants from 28 countries, with 16 finalists competing live in Cleveland. As a cornerstone event in the global classical music calendar, CIPC continues to elevate the careers of its laureates and inspire audiences worldwide.

The Western Reserve Historical Society’s Cleveland History Center opened its African American History Gallery, debuting with the exhibit History in Their Hands: Black Photographers in Cleveland, Ohio 1968–Present. Organized by Center historian Dr. Regennia Williams, the exhibit highlights the work of local Black photographers who have documented Cleveland’s history over the past five decades. The gallery aims to showcase African American contributions to the city’s rich history and culture.

A $25 million challenge gift from Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation spurred additional donors to support physical and organizational enhancements for the Cleveland Museum of Art. Visitors to the museum, including 100,000 school children each year, will find renovated arrival spaces, exhibition programs, development of the museum’s grounds and adjacent fine arts park. The gifts will also support curatorial, conservator and management positions.

The Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) marked a pivotal year in 2024, surpassing $50 million in its Second Century Campaign. A transformative $5 million gift from Kevin and Kristen Stein and Family supported the renovation of Kulas Hall, set to reopen in fall 2025, and expanded endowed scholarships. The year also saw CIM faculty vote to unionize as the institution reaffirmed a commitment to sustain its long history of excellence in music education and artistic achievement.

Karamu House, the nation’s oldest Black producing theatre, was designated an affiliate company of Playhouse Square. The partnership will foster deeper creative collaborations between the two institutions. Karamu will continue operations at its historic Fairfax neighborhood location while expanding its presence through performances at Playhouse Square venues. Additionally, Karamu House has completed a $5.2 million renovation of its theatre wing, enhancing its facilities to better serve the community and support its mission of producing socially relevant theatre.

The Cleveland Orchestra’s endowment surged nearly 11% to $296 million, bolstered by a $4.6 million gift from Jim and Myrna Spira. Attendance rebounded to 254,000 across 106 performances, marking a strong recovery after the pandemic. With six consecutive years of balanced budgets, the Orchestra is on a path to sustained financial health and cultural prominence.

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) received a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to support its innovative programming and commitment to fostering diverse voices. The funding is part of a national initiative to empower theaters that prioritize historically marginalized artists and audiences. Over the next two years, CPT will use the grant to deepen its community connections, develop new works, and explore bold approaches to artistic production and audience engagement. This grant underscores CPT’s role as a leader in advancing cultural equity and groundbreaking theater in Cleveland.

The Sculpture Center earned a prestigious $100,000 residency prize from the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation, a significant honor for the Cleveland organization. The grant will bring Puerto Rican-born artist Edra Soto to collaborate with Near West Side communities, creating a public art installation reflecting the neighborhood’s unique identity.

The Cleveland Orchestra announced that Music Director Franz Welser-Möst will step down in 2027, ending a transformative 25-year chapter in its history.

Cleveland International Film Festival named Hermione Malone of New Orleans as Executive Director. Malone is originally from Detroit.

SPACES hired Fanna Gebreyes as its new Director, coinciding with the gallery’s 50^th A Detroit native, Gebreyes led arts institutions in the DC area.

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture welcomed Leonard DiCosimo and Gina Vernaci to its board. The arts leaders were appointed by County Executive Chris Ronayne.

Cleveland Ballet named Larry Goodman as President and CEO and Timour Bourtasenkov as Artistic Director.

Beck Center for the Arts announced longtime staffer Ed Gallagher will become its new President and CEO, replacing Cindy Einhouse on her retirement.

Great Lakes Theater named Brian Barasch as Executive Director. Barasch spent two decades in Chicago and is from Cincinnati.