Rep. Kaptur Welcomes $200,000 NEA Grants for Arts in Cleveland and Toledo?
NEA awards bring arts into neighborhoods, promote creative economy in Northern Ohio
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) welcomed news that the Cleveland Public Theater and the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo will receive $150,000 and $50,000 grants, respectively, from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support initiatives that expand the arts in underserved neighborhoods.
“An estimated 10,000 artists reside between Cleveland and Toledo; imagine what it could mean for our region to unleash the full economic power of this creative endowment along our coast,” said Rep. Kaptur. “The important work being done by the Greater Toledo Arts Commission and the Cleveland Public Theater has been transforming Northern Ohio communities for decades. How fortunate we are to have these local arts gems recognized nationally. This recognition from the NEA allows us to further move the power of the arts forward and continue to develop the creative economy of Northern Ohio.”
Marc Folk, Executive Director, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, said: “We are honored to be included in this year’s NEA Our Town Program. This funding supports the work outlined in the City of Toledo’s Strategic Plan for Arts and Cultural to engage residents in the neighborhood based creative placemaking. We are really excited to have an opportunity to empower artists in these neighborhoods to celebrate their unique identity through engaging and creative practices.”
Raymond Bobgan, Executive Artistic Director, Cleveland Public Theater, said: “Cleveland Public Theater is thrilled to be awarded the NEA Our Town grant in support of Station Hope. This grant is a welcome recognition of the hard work of the Cleveland Public Theater artists and students, as well as the many partners who come together every year to make Station Hope an incredible time for reflection, healing and inspiration. Station Hope is a testament to the power of the arts to bring communities together to advance compassion and mindfulness.”
The Our Town grant initiative supports “creative placemaking” projects meant to help transform communities into active, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts as a centerpiece. Creative placemaking is when artists, arts organizations, and community development practitioners actively integrate arts and culture into community revitalization work – placing arts at the table with land-use, transportation, economic development, education, housing, infrastructure, and public safety strategies. These awards support local efforts to enhance neighborhood quality of life and opportunity for residents, increase creative activity, and create a distinct sense of place.
Congresswoman Kaptur has been a vigilant supporter of the arts, arguing recently that the arts should be added to the STEM curriculum to give STEAM to a well balanced education that encourages individual creativity. She leads the annual Congressional Art Competition for high school students in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, helping students find ways to apply their creative skills in various industries and the job market.
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