Cuyahoga Arts & Culture remains committed to ongoing support of our community’s artists.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture recognizes the important role of artists in making our community a vibrant place to live, work and play. In 2017, CAC is committed to developing approaches to continue to provide meaningful support for artists, in line with our mission. This important work is ongoing, and grounded in
key elements affirmed by our Board at its December 2016 meeting.
While we anticipate seeking our Board’s approval of new, community-informed approaches to support artists in September 2017, our team will regularly share updates and information on our progress. Here’s an interim update:
- CAC is committed to continuing to supporting artists in 2017. In December 2016, CAC’s Board of Trustees clearly and unanimously voiced support for continuing to use public funds to support Cuyahoga County artists. To this end, the 2017 budget approved at that meeting includes funds to provide continued support for artists.
- CAC continues to have informal conversations and learn. Since December, CAC staff and Board has responded to requests to join conversations with artists and residents, both those who have participated in CAC funding in the past and those who have felt left out of the process. We have continued to gather information about other programs that we might learn from, and staff met on February 7th to start to develop a plan to manage this work.
- CAC seeks broad public input. We need to learn more about the artists in our community and how we can provide meaningful support, in line with our mission. In the coming months, we will convene groups of residents and artists in a listening session format to begin to better understand the landscape and gather input. Also, we are grateful to Raymond Bobgan of Cleveland Public Theatre who has offered to help us to bring together a community committee to advise the process. We need many voices around the table.
- CAC welcomes feedback. Please contact us at info@cacgrants.org or 216-515-8303 with any questions or ideas, or to set up a meeting with CAC staff.
We look forward to sharing additional updates as soon they become available.