Record Number of Applicants for 2012 Project Support Program 1. November 2011 Administrator News Release Cleveland (November 1, 2011) - Cuyahoga Arts & Culture convened its fourth panel review of Project Support grant applications in public sessions Monday, October 17th-Wednesday, October 19th, 2011. The 100 applicants came from a wide range of Cuyahoga County-based organizations, large and small, suburban and urban. This was a 30% increase in applications, and 33 organizations applied for the first time. New this is year is a small grant program, Project Support II, which attracted 49 applicants for grants up to $5,000. 51 organizations applied to the traditional Project Support program which provides grants up to $50,000. The CAC review panel process is designed to ensure a fair, objective and transparent process for evaluating applications. The panels are made up of arts and culture professionals from outside Cuyahoga County, and the process is always open to the public and was streamed live via CAC’s website, www.cacgrants.org.“Project support is meant to be flexible so the public investment has the greatest impact in our local communities,” said CAC Trustee Matthew Charboneau, leader of the COSE Arts Network and a professional musician. “It is important that CAC funding be accessible to every corner of our County.” Local nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status that conduct arts and cultural programs open to the public are eligible to apply for project support grants.The review panels took place at the Idea Center in Playhouse Square. CAC tweeted throughout the sessions to keep followers up-to-date. Project Support grant awards will be approved by CAC’s Board of Trustees at their public board meeting on November 14th at 4pm at BAYarts.CAC has two primary grant programs; Project Support, and General Operating Support which has a separate review process. Since 2007, CAC has invested nearly $65 million dollars in 150 local arts and cultural organizations. All regularly scheduled CAC Board meetings are open to the public, and the public. For additional information about CAC or the specific panel review schedule, call 216.515.8303 or visit www.cacgrants.org.News Release - Nov. 1, 2011 (PDF)