2024 Creative Impact Fund

Please read the full Program Guidelines before you begin your application. 

Important Dates

• Applications open Friday, April 5, 2024.
• Deadline for submission is Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11:59 pm.
• Applications will be reviewed by the Jury after the deadline.
• Applicants will be notified of the Jury’s decision by email approximately six weeks after the deadline.
• Grantee final report due no later than 30 days after the end of the 12-month grant year.

About 

The 2024 Creative Impact Fund is an unrestricted grant opportunity designed to support the growth of an artist’s creative practice and advance their impact on our region. Seventeen (17) forward- thinking artists and creatives living in Cuyahoga County will each be awarded $10,000 and business development support. 

The Creative Impact Fund is a program of Assembly for the Arts, supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. 

How to Apply

Eligible artists must complete a CIF application and submit the following materials:

• Artist statement (500 words)
• Up to two letters of support (optional)
• 8 to 15 work samples (images, video, audio, text)
• Narrative responses related to your artistic philosophy, goals, and intended impact (500 words each)

The CIF application is available in English only. Spanish, and possibly other translation services are available upon request. If you have a disability and require support, please contact grants@assemblycle.org. 

Assembly strongly encourages applications from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous People of Color) artists, as well as other artists that have been historically excluded or marginalized.

Eligibility

 Artists must be:

• currently creating art in the disciplines of craft, dance, design, film, interdisciplinary work, media, music, theatre & performance, traditional + folk arts, visual art or writing/literary art.
• 18 years of age or older.
• a verifiable resident of Cuyahoga County with plans to remain in the county for the grant year.

Artists cannot be:

• staff, board members, or family members of Assembly for the Arts, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
• staff or board members of Cleveland Public Theatre, SPACES, Julia de Burgos or Karamu House Theatre.
• a juror or reviewer for any Assembly for the Arts artist program.
• applying on behalf of a nonprofit organization, creative business or artist collective. The artists who make up these collectives are eligible to submit individual applications.

Artists may submit only one application for consideration.

Artists can apply for multiple artist support grants 

Artists are eligible to receive a CAC-funded artist project grant and an unrestricted grant in the same year. Artists are also eligible to receive more than one project grant in the same year, but each must fund a different project. Please see the CIF Guidelines for a list of programs.

Support

For additional program details, including selection criteria, work sample guidance and more please visit the CIF home page and review the CIF Guidelines and FAQs. Questions? Email grants@assemblycle.org.