About the Creative Impact Fund 

Artists and creatives don’t just enrich our region—they drive it forward. They spark joy, make space for healing, and build connection across differences. They also tell the truths that demand attention, exposing injustice and pushing us toward a more just and equitable future. The Creative Impact Fund exists to back that power with unrestricted support—so you can invest in your creative practice on your own terms and keep making work that moves Greater Cleveland.

Assembly for the Arts is proud to relaunch the Creative Impact Fund (CIF) in 2026—because artists deserve real, flexible resources to grow their practice and expand their impact across our region. This year, the CIF will award twenty-two (22) forward-thinking artists and creatives with $10,000 each in unrestricted funds. The CIF is open to artists living in Cuyahoga County who have been creating impactful and inventive work in craft, dance, design, film, interdisciplinary work, media, music, theatre & performance, traditional arts, visual art, and writing/literary art.

For full details—including Assembly’s definitions of Artists and Creative Disciplines—please review the Creative Impact Fund Guidelines.

Assembly for the Arts is supported by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.  

Awarded Artists Receive:

• $10,000 in unrestricted funds
• Promotion as a CIF grantee on Assembly’s website, social media and other platforms
• A one-year Assembly for the Arts Membership
• Business and professional development opportunities, including marketing, networking, connections to partners or potential collaborators
• Special access to opportunities as they arise throughout the year

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility
To be eligible for the Creative Impact Fund, applicants must:

• Satisfy the definition of artist or creative as defined in the Program Guidelines
• Live and work in Cuyahoga County and provide proof of residency // Studio addresses (unless it’s your place of residence) and P.O. Boxes are not accepted.
• Be able to complete a W-9 form with a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
• Be 18 years of age or older

Ineligibility
Ineligible applicants include:

• Artists who have received Cuyahoga Arts & Culture funded artist grants from any of the following programs within the last five years (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025):
  • Assembly for the Arts: Creative Impact Fund or Boost Fund
  • SPACES Urgent Art Fund
  • Karamu House: Room in the House Fellowship
  • Cleveland Public Theatre: Premiere Fellowship or Individual Artist Fund
  • Julia de Burgos (Unidos Por El Arte)
• Panelists or jury members for Assembly artist grant programs
• Current staff members, board members, or contractors of Assembly for the Arts or Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC)
• Immediate family members, domestic or romantic partners, or household members of current staff, board or contractors of Assembly for the Arts or Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC)*
• Nonprofit organizations, businesses or collectives. Artists who are part of organizations or businesses must apply as individuals

*Assembly for the Arts reserves the right to determine that an applicant is ineligible where any actual, potential, or apparent conflict of interest or appearance of impropriety would compromise the fairness or integrity of the program.

*Eligible artists may apply for and receive Assembly’s Creative Impact Fund and Boost Fund in the same year.

How to Apply

Submit an online application by clicking the ‘Apply Now‘ button at the top of this page (Available from May 13-July 17, 2026). Artists will need to create a free Submittable account or use their existing account to submit their application. Paper applications will be accepted for accessibility reasons on a case-by-case basis. If you have a disability and require assistance in applying for CIF, please contact grants@assemblycle.org.

The CIF application will be available in English. Spanish-language versions and other translation support will be provided as needed—please contact us for assistance.

Questions?

Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions or email us at grants@assemblycle.org 

2026 Assemblies

• Wednesday, March 18, 6:00 to 8:00 PM: Love Cleveland Neighborhoods
• Wednesday, June 24, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Wednesday, December 2, 6:00 to 8:00 PM  

Quarterly meetings are $15 and include a lunch or dinner. Members attend for free; login before you register. Each event is hosted at the MidTown Collaboration Center.  

With a vision of ensuring that everyone benefits from a diverse and equitable arts and culture sector, we invite the people of Greater Cleveland to assemble for our quarterly state of the arts.

About Quarterly Assemblies

Stay up to date on the most recent creative-industry-wide information over a meal and good company. Each quarter, we share updates on industry data trends, public policy, artist funding, racial equity initiatives, and more. As Assembly continues its work to expand resources and increase equity in Cleveland’s arts and culture scene, weigh-in on what you’d like to see. Share your voice and join the discussion by offering feedback. This event is for anyone, whether you work directly or indirectly with the arts industry. Attendees typically include artists, arts administrators, creative businesses, public officials, and anyone interested in connecting with the arts and cultural industries.

 Sign up for the Cadence to get receive updates as we approach the date.

And as always, if you have time after the discussion, stick around with us and continue networking with the amazing folks in our creative fields.