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.

The artists chosen will receive up to $6,500—with up to $2,500 in unrestricted support and $3,750 in project support and membership in Assembly for the Arts. The artists will also receive help from Assembly staff members, who will advise project leads in attaining project goals through marketing and professional development support and connections to institutional partners, potential collaborators, or thought partners.

The fund is open to artists or collectives of all expressions, including painting, sculpture, photography, film, dance, ballet, theatre, music, comedy/improv, writing and literature, architecture, graphic design, craft, and fashion.

Priority will be given to artists of color and art collectives with diverse representation.

Jeremy V. Johnson, president and CEO of Assembly for the Arts, says the organization is excited to launch another artist funding opportunity. “As Assembly works to ‘expand the pie’ and increase equity in Cleveland’s arts and culture scene, we look forward to investing these public funds in underrepresented areas of Cleveland and East Cleveland,” he said in a statement. “Artists are an important part of the creative economy, and getting dollars into their hands helps them and the communities in which they create.”

Creative Impact Fund is made possible by a $140,000 Support for Artists grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Individual artists, artist collectives, and informal groups are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be residents of Cuyahoga County and age 18 and older. Applications are due by May 7. Information sessions will be held in person and virtually.

Upcoming information sessions include:
Wednesday, March 22 at 4p.m., East Cleveland Public Library
Tuesday, March 28 at 12 p.m., Zoom
Thursday, March 30 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Union Miles Development Corp