Children's author Raquel Ortiz (CIF ‘24) visits the Brooklyn Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library to share about her picture book, When Julia Danced Bomba / Cuando Julia bailaba bomba, for Hispanic Heritage Month. October 7th, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Register at

The cultural nonprofit infrastructure in Cleveland is part of a national dialogue on how the industry is facing unprecedented times. Assembly for the Arts is proud to elevate arts and culture—including organizations of all sizes—from small-budget nonprofits to anchor institutions.

Jeremy Johnson attended the ribbon-cutting for the first-in-the-city sculptural bus stop on the MetroHealth System's Main Campus. Designed by acclaimed Puerto Rican artist Edra Soto, commissioned by The Sculpture Center and funded by The Joyce Foundation.

You’re invited to explore the Art Gallery in Corridor 106 at the Midtown Collaboration Center. Co-curated by Assembly for the Arts and Cleveland Arts Prize (CAP), the gallery highlights works by artists who have been recognized by both organizations. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM.

This morning’s Public Officials Recognition Breakfast was inspiring. Elected officials, arts leaders, and public servants of all political ideologies gathered, united by their deep appreciation of the arts and why it's essential for our region. Thanks to OH Sen. Kent Smith and Rep. Jamie Callender.

📣 @clevefoundation is accepting applications through Oct 1 for its Equity in the Arts Fund, to strengthen and build the capacity of small and medium arts and cultural organizations led by and serving Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in the city of Cleveland. More info: buff.ly/Y2x5WR4

Now through Oct 18th, The Cleveland Orchestra seeks nominations for its 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service in the Arts Awards. Nominations are open to individuals and organizations that demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. More at

This Friday, arts and culture leaders will mix and mingle with public officials from across Cuyahoga County to talk about the importance of supporting this $9.1-billion industry. Will you be in the room where it happens? Register for the Public Officials Recognition Breakfast buff.ly/facLbVo

Independent live music venues, festivals, and promoters are an essential part of the economy. Ohio Sen. Kent Smith and Ohio Rep. Jamie Callendar recognize the importance of keeping live stages viable. We will recognize them during our Public Officials Breakfast on Friday. Register buff.ly/facLbVo

The Transformative Arts Fund Final Presentation and Reception will have each of the artists present on their projects, and the experiences they’ve learned from them with the community. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 29th. FREE, but registration is required. Sign up buff.ly/HVSWe9n

Thank you @cityclubofcleveland for having us! The Forum, held earlier this week, drew attention to artists working on the frontlines of public art in Cleveland's east-side neighborhoods. Live from Shaker Sq, featuring @mistersoul216, Stina Aleah and Robin Robinson.

Independent live venues, festivals and stages are at the heart of Cleveland’s arts and culture scene. Join us as we honor Ohio Sen. Kent Smith and Ohio Rep. Jamie Callendar for their leadership in advancing live music and cultural vitality. Register today buff.ly/9oJqHTt

Public Officials Recognition Breakfast. Friday, September 19th. Have you registered? Honoring Ohio Sen. Kent Smith and Ohio Rep. Jamie Callendar for their advocacy on behalf of the arts. buff.ly/9oJqHTt

Call for Artists: Art of Soul! 2026 This year’s theme, “America 250: Our Story,” invites artists from across the country to reflect on the nation’s journey through the lens of the African diaspora and African American history, culture, and experience. Submissions due May 1, 2026.

Artist Opportunity: LAND Studio and MetroHealth are engaging local talent for public art at their main campus. They seek visual art (prints or originals or video) from artists residing in Cuyahoga County or who have strong ties to the region. Learn more at

Free City Club Forum: Assembly for the Arts' Jeremy Johnson will be joined by Kevin "mr.soul" Harp, Stina Aleah, and Robin Robinson. Each has created stunning murals in the Buckeye-Shaker, Woodhill, and Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods. buff.ly/wBqEurn

Our Public Officials Recognition Breakfast is just 2 weeks away! Join us as we honor Sen Kent Smith and Rep Jamie Callender for their championing of arts and live music policy. Plus, remarks from County Executive Chris Ronayne and music from local band Fresh Fruit. Register at buff.ly/LCaBSEE

Hot off the presses -- Assembly's September Newsletter. Add it to your weekend reading list.☕ 📰 buff.ly/c2XO2al

Cleveland Institute of Art's Interactive Media Lab Industry Preview Breakfast + Tour Sept. 18, 8 AM Experience the new Interactive Media Lab (IML), a state-of-the-art space with cutting-edge tools to create the art and design of tomorrow. Sign ups buff.ly/BxeHMV9 📸@cleinstituteart_iml

Join us for a special FREE City Club Forum and Cookout as we hear from three inspiring muralists who have transformed their communities on Cleveland's East Side, and how to support art for the public good. Moderated by Assembly's Jeremy Johnson, with local artists. Register.

🔁 from Ohio Senator @KentKSmith about Ohio's Creative Arts Economy and how both political parties have worked together to advance legislation that supports the arts. Check out Senator Smith's update here: buff.ly/nVTPvAI

Have you registered for the next Arts & Culture Network Night? See you August 28th from 6pm-8pm at The MidTown Collaborative Center

Our friends at @ClevelandArtsPrize have announced their 2025 Cleveland Arts Prize Winners! The community will celebrate these impressive recipients at the Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus on October 22nd! More information can be found here buff.ly/NZ46QQC

University Circle Inc. Artist in Residence. Apps due August 30th. University Circle Inc. (UCI) seeks a local artist to serve as its 2025–2026 Artist in Residence, exhibiting their work in UCI’s newly renovated Magnolia Office and UCPD spaces.

The City of Cleveland’s Transformative Arts Fund is a $3 million ARPA-funded initiative supporting bold public art across Cleveland. Led by local artists and institutions, TAF projects celebrate the city’s spirit and future. Check out their work through these upcoming events. buff.ly/fGrqNC5

Public Officials Recognition Breakfast. Sponsored by KeyBank. Friday, September 19th, 8-10 AM. Doors open at 7:30 AM. The Treelawn Social Club 15335 Waterloo Rd. Cleveland, OH 44110 Free for Public Officials. $25 for Assembly members. $100 for non-members. Register buff.ly/6kCdFof

Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Awards -- apply by Sept 2. This program recognizes outstanding accomplishments by artists in a variety of disciplines.

Note new location: 😎 1st Futureland Summer Cookout, a family-friendly Sunday-Funday on August 17th from 1 - 5 PM at North Coast Yard, 515 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, north of the Browns Stadium on Lake Erie! Registration required. buff.ly/k5fmf1H

📰 Have you read our latest Cadence newsletter? It's packed with info you need to know: Advocacy Updates, Public Officials Recognition Breakfast, Events, and Funding Opportunities. Grab a cup of coffee and dive in. buff.ly/hLhY9GF

🚨 We're in our artist funding era. Boost Fund Applications Close Aug 18th at 11:59 PM! This cycle, 50 Cuyahoga County artists will be selected to receive $1,500 each to support their artist-specific needs. Artists, Apply Today! buff.ly/0fcprRO.

All Our Babies @all.our_babies, a 2025 City of Cleveland Transformative Arts Fund awardee, will host an art gala and festival in September that continues its journey of healing, imagination, and Black birthing joy. Learn more at buff.ly/XQMiHsj

Assembly is proud to sponsor the 1st Futureland Summer Cookout, a family-friendly Sunday-Funday happening on Sunday, August 17th from 1PM–5PM at Edgewater Beach! More info: buff.ly/5yzmaGc

When institutions place artists in residence, they're affirming the value and the impact of creatives on matters that affect our communities. Congratulations to ThirdSpace Action Lab @3rdspacecle for naming Jamaica Gilmer @jamaicagilmer its inaugural artist-in-residence. buff.ly/f81KqR6

Golden Hour: North Coast Harbor on July 25th is a sunset celebration of music, tech & culture featuring live music, tech talks, food and drinks. Promo Code ASSEMBLYARTIST to save 20% on tickets at www.thatsgreyt.com.

July 17th - Tale of Two Tainos: A Journey through Culture, Home and History is a collaboration between photographer Gabriel Gonzalez and poet Marisol Ramos. The exhibition explores themes of community, identity & culture. Gallery opening 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Cleveland Foundation

BorderLight Theatre Festival is coming to Playhouse Square July 16th through 19th.BorderLight will feature 49 shows, 150 performances across 16 stages in the Playhouse Square District. Some shows are free. ASL Interpreters are available for select shows. Buy tickets at www.borderlightcle.org.

📆 Boost Fund Applications Open Soon The program provides a “Boost” of funding to help Cuyahoga County artists bring their projects and events to life and to help offset the costs of artist-specific needs. 140 Cuyahoga County artists will receive $1,500 each. Learn more at buff.ly/Ttx7z1l.

🗞️ Hot off the presses -- check out the July issue of Cadence. It's full of important info on grant deadlines, plus discount promo codes for July events. Check it out before you make your weekend plans!

🚨 DEADLINE ALERT! Cleveland Public Theater (@cptcle) is thrilled to announce the next round of Kulas Foundation Composer Fellowships for composers and sound designers. Applications are due June 30th. Apply here: buff.ly/Y8GZJjp

Discover how Assembly's artist funding programs are making a positive impact on local creatives, such as @sequoiabostickillustration and @mochatrumpetgal, thanks to our friends at Fresh Water Cleveland. Don't forget: Creative Impact Fund applications are due July 18th! buff.ly/TVCLtOZ

Are you registered for our Assembly tomorrow night? We have a jam-packed agenda + a light dinner from Pearl's Kitchen. Join us at the MidTown Collaboration Center tomorrow night from 6 to 7:30, then stay to socialize at TheSixty6 Music Lounge. Registration required.https://buff.ly/Nan3fdk

The Assembly team participated in the Americans for the Arts @americans4arts annual Conference (AFTACON) in Cincinnati earlier this month. Assembly's Meg Matko participated in a discussion called “Investing in Local Artists as a Community and Economic Development Strategy.”

📣 Assembly for the Arts is hiring! We're looking for a dynamic and strategic Director of Marketing & Communications to help amplify the organization’s visibility, impact, and public engagement. We offer a highly collaborative, supportive and flexible workplace. buff.ly/shP4a3M

📣 Calling all artists! Assembly's Creative Impact Fund application is now open. Attend one of our info sessions to learn more about the award and how to apply. www.assemblycle.org/CIF

The Creative Impact Fund applications close July 18, 2025. Learn more about this unrestricted grant for early-career and mid-to-late career artists during an information session. The next one is Thursday, May 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Future Ink Graphics. Registration info here: buff.ly/rTTVSsT

Don't forget to register for the Creative Impact Fund info session on May 22nd. Register here: buff.ly/rTTVSsT

Did you join our celebration on Friday? Thanks to the Cleveland Foundation for organizing a fun community Block Party and Ribbon Cutting at the new MidTown Collaboration Center. If you haven't visited our new offices yet, be sure to stop by and see this new community resource.

The application period for the Creative Impact Fund 2025 is now open! In 2025, the CIF will award 15 Early Career artists at $5,000 each and 15 Mid-Late Career artists at $10,000 each. Applications are due July 18th.

The North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation seeks creative partners - artists, performers, and community groups - to bring the North Coast Yard pop-up public space to life this Summer. If you have a program or talent you want to showcase, this is your opportunity.

Americans for the Arts Conference (AFTACON) will be held in Cincinnati, June 11-14. Assembly’s Meg Matko will present as part of a panel discussion titled “Investing in Local Artists as a Community and Economic Development Strategy.” AFTA 2025 is pay-what-you-can registration. aftacon.org