Equity in the Arts Fund announces almost $300,000 in 2023 grantmaking

Fund has awarded close to $10 million since its inception in 1994

Release Date: 12.19.2023

CLEVELAND – The Equity in the Arts Fund (EITAF) announced 18 organizations that have been awarded $299,000 in funding as part of the latest round of grants.

“One manifestation of the inequities in the arts are the great challenges faced by artists, cultural organizers and creatives of color who lead new impactful initiatives in their communities,” said Boris Oicherman, Cleveland Foundation director for arts & culture. “This is why this year’s Equity in the Arts grants focus on BIPOC-led organizations and initiatives at the early stages of their development, when opportunities for financial support are most scarce. The 18 grant recipients illustrate the incredible diversity and richness of creative work in Cleveland that cover areas of education, music, cultural heritage, community organizing and many others.”

The recipients are as follows:

  • The 961 Collective ($22,000) – to allow the organization to expand their store and BIPOC artist apprentice program
  • 10K Movement ($17,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Balance Point Studios ($27,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Buck Out Cleveland ($22,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Cleveland Burlesque Academy ($13,000) – to offer scholarships with the goal of reaching more underrepresented performers
  • Comics at the Corner Literacy Lounge ($19,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Inc. ($15,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Duffy Liturgical Dance Ensemble ($15,000) – to assist with the organization’s move to a more accessible location
  • Ghetto Art Therapy ($27,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • INDI Art House Studio Project ($10,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Palestinian American Heritage Society ($23,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • LatinUs Theater Experience Company ($10,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Mojuba! Dance Collective ($15,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Juneteenth ($10,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Oh Sew Powerful, Inc. ($15,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Peel Dem Layers Back ($15,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Riff Mechanics ($7,000) – to assist with capacity building for the organization
  • Rhythmic Art Studio Inc. ($17,000) – to help create four ceramic installations to be installed in East Cleveland

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 $9.9 million since its inception in 1994. Organization leaders interested in applying to the next year’s grant cycle are invited to reach out to Boris Oicherman, director for arts & culture at boicherman@clevefdn.org.

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