How To Apply

How to Apply

  • The website will go live on January 31, 2024.
  • Applicants will be directed to the application to assess their eligibility before applying.
  • Only eligible applicants will be able to apply.
  • All applications must include a lead artist who must currently live in the City of Cleveland and an institutional partner with offices within the City of Cleveland at the time of applying.
  • The project’s lead artist should submit the Transformative Arts Fund application.
  • The required institutional partner must submit their information along with the application.

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Note: By clicking the link above, you are leaving the City of Cleveland's TAF website.

Guidelines

  • The lead artist may only submit one application.
  • Transformative Arts Fund projects require a lead artist who lives in the City of Cleveland.
  • The lead artist may choose to include collaborating artists to work with on the project. Collaborating artists are required to live within Cuyahoga County.
  • There are no restrictions on art disciplines. All mediums are welcome.
  • Special Consideration will be given to applications whose project’s amplify/address: vacant land reutilization, the environment, food insecurity, violence prevention, matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion, safe spaces in Cleveland, and social determinants of health, i.e., Black maternal-fetal health, smoking cessation, and physical and mental health.

Read the complete guidelines

Download the Budget Template

Eligibility Requirements

  • Not a current employee or contractor of the City of Cleveland
  • Not a current employee, contractor, or board member of Assembly for the Arts
  • 18 years or older by the application deadline date (March 30, 2024)
  • Lead Artist must be a current resident of the City of Cleveland and have a verified Cleveland residential address
  • Must have a sponsoring institutional partner that is housed within the 17 wards of Cleveland
  • Proposed projects must be centered around arts and culture and focused in creative discipline including, but not limited to, visual art, media/film, dance, theater, music, comedy/improv, literature, design and/or craft
  • Proposed project must be located in one of the 17 wards of Cleveland
  • Must complete proposed project by August 30th, 2025
  • Must be able to work with the City of Cleveland on the execution of your proposed project

Project Initiatives Special Consideration

  • While we look forward to receiving projects of all ideas, special consideration will be given to project proposals that amplify/address the following: vacant land reutilization, the environment, food insecurity, violence prevention, matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion, safe spaces in Cleveland, and social determinants of health, i.e., Black maternal-fetal health, smoking cessation, and physical and mental health.
  • We invite applicants to explore city resources to consider projects to be produced on:
    • Vacant Land
    • Public Right of Way
    • Greenspace
    • Red-lined Neighborhoods