Northeast Ohio Arts + Culture Caucus
The Northeast Ohio Arts + Culture Caucus (Arts Caucus) is a non-partisan multi-jurisdictional group of elected and appointed officials. It includes representatives at every level of government for Cuyahoga and surrounding Northeast Ohio counties. Participants are unified by their shared interest in supporting and creating arts and cultural policy.
The Arts Caucus serves as a vehicle for public officials to connect with like-minded peers and the arts and culture community. Members examine existing policies, access sample models of legislation and work to craft and advance policies that further support and embed arts and culture into the fabric of our region. In addition to providing the group with relevant and credible information, Arts Cleveland facilitates communication between Arts Caucus members and the Arts Advocates grassroots group.
The caucus adopted its structure and format in April of 2020.
Members of the Caucus
Public Officials opt-in to the group by contacting Arts Cleveland. Members receive and respond to regular communication about arts and culture as it relates to public policy. Arts Cleveland facilitates two Caucus Sessions per year.
Ms. Donna Algeri, Community Services Administrative Assistant, Village of Brooklyn Heights
Councilwoman Dana Anderson, City of Maple Heights, District 4
Senator Nickie Antonio, The Ohio State Senate, District 23
Councilwoman Cynthia Beard, Village of Highland Hills
Councilman Keith Benjamin, Village of Bratenahl
Mayor Annette Blackwell, City of Maple Heights
Councilman Brian Brochetti, City of Parma, Ward 7
Mayor Michael Byrne, City of Parma Heights
Ms. Caryn Candisky, District Director, Office of U.S. Senator Rob Portman
Councilman Andy Celcherts, City of Brooklyn
Ms. Jeri Chaikin, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Shaker Heights
Councilwoman Sara Continenza, South Euclid, Ward 3
Councilman Kevin Conwell, City of Cleveland, Ward 9
Ms. Joanna May Cullinan, Artistic Director, Cain Park
Ms. Mary Louise Daley, Executive Assistant, Cleveland City Council
Senator Matt Dolan, The Ohio State Senate, District 24
Councilwoman Mary Dunbar, City of Cleveland Heights, Ward 2
Mayor Robert Fiala, City of Willoughby
Council President Joseph Frank, City of South Euclid, Ward 2
Councilman Marty Gelfand, City of South Euclid
Councilwoman Juanita Gowdy, City of East Cleveland, Ward 2
Councilwoman Sue Grodek, City of Brooklyn
Councilwoman Melody Joy Hart, City of Cleveland Heights
Ms. Allison Hennie, Urban Designer, City of Lakewood
Council President Eloise Henry, City of Richmond Heights
Mayor Benjamin Holbert, Village of Woodmere
Representative Stephanie Howse, The Ohio House of Representatives, District 11
Council President Ron Jackson, City of Maple Heights, Ward 4
Ms. Heather Johnson-Banks, Program Manager, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Councilman Basheer Jones, City of Cleveland, Ward 7
Councilman Joseph Jones, City of Cleveland, Ward 1
Mayor William B. Judge, City of Barberton
Councilwoman Maria Jukic, City of Euclid, Ward 7
Councilwoman Bridget King, City of Fairview Park, Ward 5
Councilman Jud Kline, Orange Village
Mayor Stanley Koci, City of Bedford
Mayor Edward Kraus, City of Solon
Councilman Richard Leskovec, City of Pepper Pike
Reverend Dr. Leah Lewis, Founder, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, Three Butterflies LLC.
Ms. Allison Lukacsy-Love, Architect + Community Projects Manager, City of Euclid
Council President Charlene Mancuso, City of Euclid
Council President Paul Marnecheck, City of North Royalton
Councilwoman Christine McIntosh, City of Euclid
Councilman Dale Miller, Cuyahoga County
Erin Cameron Miller, General Manager, Cain Park
Councilwoman Cassandra Nelson, City of Richmond Heights, Ward 3
Ms. Jill Paulsen, Interim CEO + Executive Director, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Ms. Tarra Petras, Public Art Coordinator, City of Cleveland
Councilwoman Kristin Saban, City of Parma, Ward 4
Representative Kent Smith, The Ohio House of Representatives, District 8
Councilwoman Kim Smith, City of Berea, Ward 4
Ms. Kristina Sorensen, Economic Development Director, City of Broadview Heights
Councilwoman Sandy Spinks, City of Bedford, Ward 1
Council President Lisa Stickan, City of Highland Heights
Councilwoman Kim Thomas, City of Richmond Heights, Ward 1
Councilman Jim Trakas, City of Independence
Councilwoman Gigi Traore, Village of Newburgh Heights
Magistrate William F. B. Vodrey, Cleveland Municipal Court
Mayor Patrick Ward, City of Lyndhurst
Mr. Sean Watterson (Co-chair), Owner, Happy Dog
Mayor Georgine Welo, City of South Euclid
Councilwoman Carmella Williams, City of Shaker Heights
Councilman Matthew Zone (Co-chair), City of Cleveland, Ward 15
According to this list there are no representatives from the city of Cleveland. Will there be any officials from the city of Cleveland? Or anyone to represent Cleveland at this caucus?
As of today, the list only includes public officials who opt’ed-in at the Public Officials Recognition Breakfast. We haven’t yet done targeted outreach, and we will absolutely be reaching out to Cleveland City Council and many other places in the next few months. We’ll discuss this a bit more at the Arts Advocates meeting on September 5.
In your outreach efforts going forward, if there is some way to do an informal census among the artists, I know of many who are part of the underground gig economy, who are truly in need. These are not even 1099 workers. They live on cash sales for goods or services that do not even amount to enough to pay their cost of living expenses, let alone taxes. This includes bartering just to get by. They are part of the 36.2%, or 61.3% depending upon which statistic referenced from the Center for Community Solutions, living in poverty in the city – including some with children who add to that poverty statistic as well. The current Payroll Protection or SBA programs likely will not include them in the economic recovery efforts – and they are, more often than not, people of color or other minorities.
Thank you C. This is a really important comment. We are checking into what kind of information might be available. Keep an eye on the grants on Creative Compass. There are a few relief efforts for musicians in particular. We will send more information and resources as it comes in.
I have worked with many of the elected officials noted here over many years as a leader in the Democratic Party.
As a community leader/ activist in the Arts Community and political arena, as well as a fine artist, I would love to help coordinate the Arts Caucus… it’s a natural fit for me!!!
Thank you for chiming in Sandi! We hope you can join us for the Arts Advocates meeting on September 5. We’ll talk about it then. https://secure.artscleveland.org/event.jsp?event=194&
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