Cleveland awards $3 million to art projects citywide through Transformative Arts Fund

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The recipients of Cleveland’s Transformative Arts Fund were announced on Wednesday, with nearly $3 million awarded to seven public art and place-making projects in neighborhoods across Cleveland.

Mayor Justin Bibb and City Council created the arts fund earlier this year using a share of the city’s federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“This is a proud moment for the city of Cleveland as this is the first time in our city’s history where we have established a foundation for artists, institutions, and communities to find hope in creativity,” Bibb said in a news release. “More than 200 individual artists in total will be working on these projects, which I believe will have a significant and lasting impact on our great city – helping to ignite inspiration, foster dialogue, and drive social transformation within our community.”

Funding ranges from approximately $312,000 to $482,000 per project.

The winning projects, selected by a city committee, span a variety of creative disciplines, including architecture, immersive theater, dance, festivals, sculpture, murals, music, fashion, and the revitalization of a bustling city thoroughfare.

The lead artist on each project must live in Cleveland and the art they create must be located in Cleveland.

Artists involved in each project were also required to collaborate with a Cleveland-based institutional partner.

The partnering institutions include the Cleveland Clinic, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, community development corporations, and other types of local organizations.

Funding for each of the projects won’t be finalized until a grant agreement is in place.