Issue #18
Sheryl Hoffman decided to open Art House right in the heart of Cleveland's historic Brooklyn Center district on Dennison near W. 25th Street to create an impact on the community with high quality visual and creative arts classes for kids of all ages. Their Urban Bright program injects art back into the public schools, and their SEAN (Supporting Educators and Artists Network) trains teachers with best practices and connects them to the world. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready spoke with Sheryl to discuss how Issue 18 (the arts and culture levy) would help groups like Art House. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
John Farina was one of Cuyahoga County's most active and effective Republican operatives, running for office and serving on their executive committee. But when his party pushed Ohio's marriage amendment and the president began scapegoating gays and lesbians with a constitutional amendment, John switched parties. He now raises money for Lakewood's Beck Center for the Arts, and serves as arts liaison for Issue 18, the arts levy. Cool Cleveland 's Thomas Mulready spoke on video with John about his political journey, the tough decisions facing the Beck Center, and what $20 million a year for the arts would do for Cleveland's economy. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Jim Trakas is that rarity: a Republican in Cuyahoga County. He represents District 17 in the Ohio House: Mayfield Heights, Lyndhurst, Pepper Pike, Hunting Valley, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Brecksville, Broadview Hts, and his home town of Independence. As they stood at the 2nd most trafficked intersection in the county, at the corner of Rockside Rd. and Rt. 21, Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready and term-limited Jim Trakas discussed why some people in his district think our current (unconstitutional) school funding is OK, why the current national and statewide "Republican Valhalla" isn't a bad thing, and how he's joined in a bipartisan effort to support the passage of Issue 18 for arts and culture. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Terrence Spivey moved his family to Cleveland exactly 3 years ago to become Artistic Director of Karamu House, and he loves it here. But he had to apologize to patrons last week because of the faulty heating in their theatre on East 89th Street. He hopes all that will change with the passage of Issue 18, the arts and culture levy. Terrence talks with Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready about the differences between Cle and NYC, and about how important Issue 18 is to groups like Karamu House. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Jamie Ireland has his hands full. As Managing Director of Early Stage Partners, his venture capital firm funds startups in technology, and is the largest such regional early stage funder. As president of the Musical Arts Association, which manages the Cleveland Orchestra, he oversees one of Cleveland's world-class cultural treasures. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready spoke with Jamie about the Cleveland Orchestra's recent successes in Miami, Europe and Carnegie Hall, as well as why passing arts & culture Issue 18 is important to the business community. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Bobby Williams & Nancy Telzerow belt out Song For Cleveland, in an exclusive Cool Cleveland music video. Song For Cleveland is an original composition by Williams that articulates the need for public funding for the arts in our region: "...the things we need to keep us great/are right here close at hand/but they may not be tomorrow/this we need to understand..." We shot this demo in the rehearsal studios at the Cleveland Play House. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Tom Schorgl has been waiting 8 years for this election, although he's not running for office himself. His group, Community Partnership for Arts and Culture, was created 8 years ago to produce research (we used CPAC's research when we started the Ingenuity Festival), and to advocate for public funding for the arts in Cuyahoga County, the largest region in the country currently without public funding. He huddled with Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready to talk about the need for public funding for the arts, to explain the cigarette tax that will raise $200 million for the arts in Cuyahoga, and how the arts are a "magnet" for economic development. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Eric Fingerhut serves as State Senator and has also been tapped to be the Campaign Director of the Arts and Culture Action Committee, which is the group spearheading the upcoming arts levy that the County Commissioners have placed on the November ballot. We've been here before. A couple years ago, a measure to increase property tax to support arts and culture was narrowly defeated. This time around, things look much better. Instead of property, the tax is on cigarettes, and 30¢ a pack will generate over $20 million annually for the arts in Cuyahoga County. As leader of the arts levy campaign, Eric Fingerhut spoke with Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready outside the Cleveland Play House and the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, discussing why arts funding is critically needed, where the polling stands, and what Cool Cleveland readers can do to help. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Joe Cimperman, Cleveland City Councilman, is everywhere all at once. It's best to catch him early in the day, before his 3rd cup of java, as he cruises at top speed throughout Ward 13, which covers most of Downtown Cleveland. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready spoke with Joe on camera about critical issues facing his Ward: the intractable ODOT's insistence on closing access ramps to Downtown on the Innerbelt, the arts levy Issue 18, and what makes a city worth living in. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Peter Lawson Jones knows things are getting exciting for Cuyahoga County. With renewed, and sincere, discussions on regionalism, and large-scale projects such as casino gambling and a new convention center, the County sits at the apex of fundamental change for our region. One of the three Cuyahoga County Commissioners, Peter Lawson Jones always speaks passionately and articulately for the causes that affect Northeast Ohioans. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready caught up with him on the streets of Downtown Cleveland and videoed his comments on the new cigarette tax for the arts, the upcoming November election, and the four things that keep him awake at night. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Tim Hagan is one of three Cuyahoga County Commissioners whose job it is to see after the welfare of the citizens of the County. See Cool Cleveland interview with Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones here, and watch for an upcoming interview with Commissioner Jimmy DiMora. They run programs on Health & Human Services, finance and justice services. They manage the largest government budget in the state of Ohio. But unlike the City of Cleveland, with it's dwindling tax receipts, Cuyahoga County has has the funds to create economic development programs such as the ACE awards (Arts and Culture as Economic Development) and an innovative Fatherhood initiative. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready caught up with Commissioner Hagan at Artefino Cafe in the Tower Press Building, and they discussed the upcoming arts levy/cigarette tax, casino gambling, the human services levy, the contentious Gubanatorial and Senatorial races, and how the Internet is "the engine that is driving campaigns. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Zygote Press has two strong but new programs that are developing each year that are extensions of our artZreach Program. We have worked with two underserved agencies that have zero programs for clients in secured facilities and are neglected from any type of creative outlets. These clients are from Community Assessment and Treatment Services (CATS) in the Broadway neighborhood of Cleveland and children from the Lorain County Detention Center in Elyria. We have received grants from the Ohio Arts Council and the George Gund Foundation in addition to receiving funding from our members for this and other outreach initiatives. Not only do we serve these clients on a weekly basis, bringing much needed access to the arts, but our teachers and facilitators get back enormous rewards for making these classes happen. It is imperative to show these people who have been devastated by drug and alcohol abuse and the children who have been imprisoned that positive creative channels exist. We exhibited their work at the end of the year at Zygote Press that also brought the clients there for a hands-on workshop to create fine art prints and to see their work in a professional gallery. It was amazing. They felt a level of satisfaction and pride seeing all the energy in the space that they created. The facilitators who helped with the project felt that we were truly broadening our own communication of art outward, beyond the confines of our studios and effectively making a difference in others people's lives. With the passage of Issue 18, we hope to expand this program to other agencies, where our stable of Zygote artists will be able to extend their talents and expertise to people who have never had access to the arts.
Submitted by Liz Maugans, Zygote Press lizzyjohnATcomcast.net
Cuyahoga County 2006 Arts Levy
About the arts levy In the upcoming November election, Cuyahoga County, Ohio voters will be asked to support Issue 18, which will generate approximately $20 million dollars every year that will be devoted to support of our Arts & Culture assets. Voters will be able to increase the tax on cigarettes by a penny and a half per cigarette throughout the county, and this money will create our only stable, public funding for the arts. Money raised from this issue will support and strengthen vital arts and cultural assets county-wide. Regardless of location or size Arts & Culture groups and projects in University Circle, the Theatre District, North Coast Harbor, Gordon Square Cultural District, neighborhoods and suburbs will be eligible to receive funding.
The campaign is coordinated by the Arts and Culture Action Committee. State Senator Eric Fingerhut is the Campaign Director. See video interview with Senator Eric Fingerhut below. To volunteer, or for additional information, please contact: acac2006@gmail.com 216-479-8555.
The arts levy official web site is http://www.Issue18.org
Issue 18 NewsLINKS
- Stay in the loop Join the list and receive hot-off-the-press info on Issue 18 and all the exciting things going on with the campaign that will transform the cultural life of Cuyahoga County. Click here: http://www.CuyahogaArtsAndCulture.org
- Even curmudgeons like Issue #18 See Dick Feagler's backhanded endorsement here. How about you? Letters@CoolCleveland.com
- Public radio reports on the arts levy Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready is quoted, among others, in this report from the front lines of the Issue 18 campaign by WCPN's Mark Urycki. Click here to listen.
- Arts success stories We'd like to give your arts organization some publicity. Send us your personalized case studies and success stories showing how your non-profit arts group has changed the lives of children and citizens through your educational and enriching arts programs. You and your arts group may be featured in a future issue of Cool Cleveland as we examine the impact of public funding for the arts on the well-being of our community. We're looking for specific examples of how your arts programs have an effect in the community, and how support of the upcoming Issue 18 arts levy will have a positive impact on the economic and cultural development of the region. Send your success stories to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com
- COSE endorses Issue 18 "Over the last several years COSE has worked to improve its support for the growth and success of artist entrepreneurs in the region," says Lou Licata, COSE Board Chairman. "Through jobs, education, and tourist attraction, Cuyahoga County's arts & culture industry makes this region a better place to live and work, which is why the COSE Board voted to support Issue 18." http://www.Issue18.org
- Issue 18 on October 18 The world-class Cleveland-area $1 billion arts and culture industry is cooking up a special treat for the community on Cuyahoga Arts and Culture Day, Wed 10/18 to promote the arts & culture levy Issue 18, featuring the best and brightest performers, artists and culture workers around the county. To volunteer for this high-profile event, contact Jessica Columbi Jessica@CuyahogaArtsAndCulture.org 479-0555.
- PD endorses arts levy Issue #18 Although the cigarette tax is "not ideal," however, "the value of the arts community to all of Northeast Ohio is simply immense," and the $20 a year for 10 years that this levy would raise is "a worthy cause." Bravo. Read.
- Louis Armstrong: first man on the moon? Ask for more here, then go here.
- Mayor and Council endorse arts levy Momentum is building and endorsements are growing for an arts levy. Mayor Frank Jackson and Council President Martin Sweeney have thrown their hats into the ring together, supporting the cigarette tax that will raise $20 million a year for non-profit Cuyahoga County arts groups. Both sides of the issue are heating up. See joint resolution here. What do you think about the feasibility and fairness of an arts levy? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
- Mayor Jackson and the arts levy At last week's young professionals confab hosted by the Civic Innovation Lab at the Botanical Garden, the Mayor generously answered questions from about 750+ YPs, remarkable for the forthrightness with which he took on all comers. They don't call him Frank for nothing. On the issue of the arts levy, the Mayor indicated that he supported it with a "caveat" that the large arts organizations don't get all the grant money. In fact, the County adopted, in 2004, a resolution here that addresses (on Page 9) how large organizations can only apply for 3% of their budget, and smaller groups can apply for up to 25% of their budget. The same transparent and fair guidelines, or "investment models," painstakingly developed through 11 public meetings, are currently being used to administer the County's ACE Grants (Arts and Culture as Economic development), and a quick perusal of the grantees and their projects on their site here shows that 80% of the 06 funds went to groups with budgets under $1.5 million. Your thoughts? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
- Jackson on the arts levy Mayor Frank Jackson told a group of young professionals at a recent Civic Innovation Lab confab that he supports the arts levy with a "caveat" that large arts organizations don't get all the grant money. In 2004, the County adopted a resolution here addressing how large organizations can only apply for 3% of their budget; smaller groups can only apply for up to 25% of their budget (see Page 9). The same transparent, fair guidelines are being used to administer county Arts and Culture as Economic development (ACE) Grants. Review of grantees and their projects on their site here shows 80% of the 2006 funds went to groups with budgets of $1.5 million of less. Thoughts? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
- Arts Levy endorsement from Crain's According to this glowing endorsement editorial, "...arts and culture groups in the county generate more than $1 billion in annual economic activity... and they give Cleveland big-city cachet that’s an important intangible in attracting workers to keep and grow businesses." They took the words right out of our mouth. See Crain's here.
Video Recap
Issue 18 Movies
- Over the past few weeks, Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready has spoken with some of Cleveland's key leaders and community arts workers, about the impact of passing Issue 18, the arts and culture levy that would raise $200 million for non-profit Cuyahoga arts groups. Here's another look at these short video interviews, for your review in preparing for the November 7 election. As always, your thoughts are welcome: Letters@CoolCleveland.com
Sheryl Hoffman decided to open Art House right in the heart of Cleveland's historic Brooklyn Center district on Dennison near W. 25th Street to create an impact on the community with high quality visual and creative arts classes for kids of all ages. Their Urban Bright program injects art back into the public schools, and their SEAN (Supporting Educators and Artists Network) trains teachers with best practices and connects them to the world. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready spoke with Sheryl to discuss how Issue 18 (the arts and culture levy) would help groups like Art House. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac. John Farina was one of Cuyahoga County's most active and effective Republican operatives, running for office and serving on their executive committee. But when his party pushed Ohio's marriage amendment and the president began scapegoating gays and lesbians with a constitutional amendment, John switched parties. He now raises money for Lakewood's Beck Center for the Arts, and serves as arts liaison for Issue 18, the arts levy. Cool Cleveland 's Thomas Mulready spoke on video with John about his political journey, the tough decisions facing the Beck Center, and what $20 million a year for the arts would do for Cleveland's economy. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac. Jim Trakas is that rarity: a Republican in Cuyahoga County. He represents District 17 in the Ohio House: Mayfield Heights, Lyndhurst, Pepper Pike, Hunting Valley, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Brecksville, Broadview Hts, and his home town of Independence. As they stood at the 2nd most trafficked intersection in the county, at the corner of Rockside Rd. and Rt. 21, Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready and term-limited Jim Trakas discussed why some people in his district think our current (unconstitutional) school funding is OK, why the current national and statewide "Republican Valhalla" isn't a bad thing, and how he's joined in a bipartisan effort to support the passage of Issue 18 for arts and culture. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac. Terrence Spivey moved his family to Cleveland exactly 3 years ago to become Artistic Director of Karamu House, and he loves it here. But he had to apologize to patrons last week because of the faulty heating in their theatre on East 89th Street. He hopes all that will change with the passage of Issue 18, the arts and culture levy. Terrence talks with Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready about the differences between Cle and NYC, and about how important Issue 18 is to groups like Karamu House. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac. Jamie Ireland has his hands full. As Managing Director of Early Stage Partners, his venture capital firm funds startups in technology, and is the largest such regional early stage funder. As president of the Musical Arts Association, which manages the Cleveland Orchestra, he oversees one of Cleveland's world-class cultural treasures. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready spoke with Jamie about the Cleveland Orchestra's recent successes in Miami, Europe and Carnegie Hall, as well as why passing arts & culture Issue 18 is important to the business community. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac. Bobby Williams & Nancy Telzerow belt out Song For Cleveland, in an exclusive Cool Cleveland music video. Song For Cleveland is an original composition by Williams that articulates the need for public funding for the arts in our region: "...the things we need to keep us great/are right here close at hand/but they may not be tomorrow/this we need to understand..." We shot this demo in the rehearsal studios at the Cleveland Play House. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac. Tom Schorgl has been waiting 8 years for this election, although he's not running for office himself. His group, Community Partnership for Arts and Culture, was created 8 years ago to produce research (we used CPAC's research when we started the Ingenuity Festival), and to advocate for public funding for the arts in Cuyahoga County, the largest region in the country currently without public funding. He huddled with Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready to talk about the need for public funding for the arts, to explain the cigarette tax that will raise $200 million for the arts in Cuyahoga, and how the arts are a "magnet" for economic development. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac. Eric Fingerhut serves as State Senator and has also been tapped to be the Campaign Director of the Arts and Culture Action Committee, which is the group spearheading the upcoming arts levy that the County Commissioners have placed on the November ballot. We've been here before. A couple years ago, a measure to increase property tax to support arts and culture was narrowly defeated. This time around, things look much better. Instead of property, the tax is on cigarettes, and 30¢ a pack will generate over $20 million annually for the arts in Cuyahoga County. As leader of the arts levy campaign, Eric Fingerhut spoke with Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready outside the Cleveland Play House and the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, discussing why arts funding is critically needed, where the polling stands, and what Cool Cleveland readers can do to help. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac. Joe Cimperman, Cleveland City Councilman, is everywhere all at once. It's best to catch him early in the day, before his 3rd cup of java, as he cruises at top speed throughout Ward 13, which covers most of Downtown Cleveland. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready spoke with Joe on camera about critical issues facing his Ward: the intractable ODOT's insistence on closing access ramps to Downtown on the Innerbelt, the arts levy Issue 18, and what makes a city worth living in. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac. Peter Lawson Jones knows things are getting exciting for Cuyahoga County. With renewed, and sincere, discussions on regionalism, and large-scale projects such as casino gambling and a new convention center, the County sits at the apex of fundamental change for our region. One of the three Cuyahoga County Commissioners, Peter Lawson Jones always speaks passionately and articulately for the causes that affect Northeast Ohioans. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready caught up with him on the streets of Downtown Cleveland and videoed his comments on the new cigarette tax for the arts, the upcoming November election, and the four things that keep him awake at night. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac. Tim Hagan is one of three Cuyahoga County Commissioners whose job it is to see after the welfare of the citizens of the County. See Cool Cleveland interview with Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones here, and watch for an upcoming interview with Commissioner Jimmy DiMora. They run programs on Health & Human Services, finance and justice services. They manage the largest government budget in the state of Ohio. But unlike the City of Cleveland, with it's dwindling tax receipts, Cuyahoga County has has the funds to create economic development programs such as the ACE awards (Arts and Culture as Economic Development) and an innovative Fatherhood initiative. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready caught up with Commissioner Hagan at Artefino Cafe in the Tower Press Building, and they discussed the upcoming arts levy/cigarette tax, casino gambling, the human services levy, the contentious Gubanatorial and Senatorial races, and how the Internet is "the engine that is driving campaigns. WATCH THE VIDEO PC or Mac.
Issue 18 Success Story
Zygote Press
Positive creative channels for the needy
Zygote Press has two strong but new programs that are developing each year that are extensions of our artZreach Program. We have worked with two underserved agencies that have zero programs for clients in secured facilities and are neglected from any type of creative outlets. These clients are from Community Assessment and Treatment Services (CATS) in the Broadway neighborhood of Cleveland and children from the Lorain County Detention Center in Elyria. We have received grants from the Ohio Arts Council and the George Gund Foundation in addition to receiving funding from our members for this and other outreach initiatives. Not only do we serve these clients on a weekly basis, bringing much needed access to the arts, but our teachers and facilitators get back enormous rewards for making these classes happen. It is imperative to show these people who have been devastated by drug and alcohol abuse and the children who have been imprisoned that positive creative channels exist. We exhibited their work at the end of the year at Zygote Press that also brought the clients there for a hands-on workshop to create fine art prints and to see their work in a professional gallery. It was amazing. They felt a level of satisfaction and pride seeing all the energy in the space that they created. The facilitators who helped with the project felt that we were truly broadening our own communication of art outward, beyond the confines of our studios and effectively making a difference in others people's lives. With the passage of Issue 18, we hope to expand this program to other agencies, where our stable of Zygote artists will be able to extend their talents and expertise to people who have never had access to the arts.Submitted by Liz Maugans, Zygote Press lizzyjohnATcomcast.net
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