CLEVELAND (August 3, 2016) – Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) released today its 2015 Report from the Community, which shares the stories of Cuyahoga County residents who have been impacted by cultural experiences supported by CAC. The Report from the Community is available at report.cacgrants.org.
“Residents connect with arts and culture in many different ways. Whether in a museum or theater, at a community festival, in neighborhoods or online, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture is proud to connect millions of Cuyahoga County residents to thousands of arts and culture experiences each year,” said Joseph P. Gibbons, president of CAC’s Board of Trustees. “This report provides an inspirational glimpse into the lives of county residents who are connecting with arts and culture in extraordinary ways.”
One featured resident is Patty Edmonson, an employee at the Cleveland History Center, who returned to Cleveland recently to curate the museum’s 13,000 dresses and 40,000 textile objects. Patty conducts research to help museum-goers experience what individuals have worn throughout Northeast Ohio history. “I like the feel of the arts community here,” Patty said. “People are doing really cool things, and you can be a part of it.”
The report shares several stories of Cuyahoga County residents who are connecting with the more than 200 organizations that Cuyahoga Arts & Culture funds. As a result, CAC is:
- Inspiring creativity by supporting creative learning opportunities for residents of all ages. CAC-funded organizations served nearly 1.5 million children in 2015, through field trips and in-school programs.
- Enriching lives by funding tens of thousands of events and programs throughout Cuyahoga County. In 2015, CAC-funded organizations served nearly seven million residents and visitors, and 50% of admissions were free of charge.
- Creating vibrant communities. CAC-funded organizations support the economy through more than $383 million in direct expenditures, including more than $158 million in salaries to 10,000 employees.
“Public funding for arts and culture is one of the things that makes Cuyahoga County such a wonderful place to call home,” said Karen Gahl-Mills, CEO + Executive Director of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. “We work diligently to invest public funds so that students can connect to creative learning opportunities, organizations can attract and keep talented minds, and all residents can connect to meaningful cultural experiences that enhance their overall quality of life.”
Learn more and view the report at report.cacgrants.org.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture’s mission is to inspire and strengthen the community by investing in arts and culture. Cuyahoga County residents created Cuyahoga Arts & Culture in 2006 when they approved a tax on cigarettes to support arts and culture in our community. In 2015, the community affirmed its commitment to arts and culture by extending the tax through 2027. Cuyahoga Arts & Culture has invested more than $140 million in more than 300 organizations to deliver on the promise made to support thousands of enriching arts and culture experiences in every corner of the county. For more information, visit cacgrants.org.
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