Equity in the Arts Fund announces most recent round of grant recipients

Fund has awarded nearly $9.6 million since its inception in 1994

Release Date: 3.8.2023

CLEVELAND – The Equity in the Arts Fund (EITAF) announced 15 organizations that have been awarded $269,000 in funding as part of the latest round of grants.

“EITAF uplifts organizations that were historically under-supported by funders—and these predominantly are organizations led by people of color,” said Boris Oicherman, Cleveland Foundation program director for arts & culture. “It amplifies the diversity of Cleveland cultures and richness of creative practices, which include a Spanish-language theater serving Latin/x communities, organizations addressing behavioral health challenges through arts, a community-led urban revitalization initiative, and an artist-led museum, among others.”

The recipients are as follows:

• 10K Movement ($20,000)
• American Asian Pacific Islander Organization ($5,000)
• Art of Me Productions ($20,000)
• Broadway School of Music & The Arts ($14,000)
• Cuyahoga Community College Creative Arts Academy with Kerry Davis ($20,000)
• Foluke Cultural Arts Center, Inc. ($20,000)
• Kings & Queens of Art ($20,000)
• LatinUs Theater Company, Inc. ($20,000)
• Life Exchange Center ($15,000)
• Loiter ($20,000)
• Martha and Tonya Johnson Legacy Project ($20,000)
• Mojuba! Dance Collective ($20,000)
• Museum of Creative Human Art ($20,000)
• Neighborhood Connections ($20,000)
• Rhythmic Art Studio, Inc. ($15,000)

EITAF is an endowed fund with assets of more than $4.3 million that provides grantmaking in the local community from investment income. Including the most recent round of recipients, the fund has now granted out nearly $9.6 million since its inception in 1994. In 2021, the Fund’s name was officially changed from the Minority Arts and Education Fund to the Equity in the Arts Fund.

EITAF will accept the next round of applications for capacity-building grants at a yet-to-be-determined date this fall. Awards will range from $5,000-$20,000 for nonprofit cultural organizations that are led by and serve communities of color. Organization leaders are invited to reach out to Boris Oicherman, the director of arts and culture programs, with any questions at boicherman@clevefdn.org.

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