Arts and culture are well-known community connectors, though cost presents a mountain that some folks and organizations are unable to climb.

As the region’s foremost creative arts support entity, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) funds thousands of free cultural events across Cuyahoga County—with a range of happenings encompassing local photography, handmade crafts, and fun-filled community get-togethers.

Last year, CAC granted $12.3 million to 275 organizations, allowing nearly 55% of supported programs to provide programming free of charge.

CAC executive director Jill Paulsen says residents should be able to access art, no matter their circumstances.

“Cuyahoga Arts & Culture is funded by taxpayer dollars, which is why it’s really important to us that residents can engage in art, based in their communities, without cost being a barrier,” she says. “We are proud that the nonprofit organizations funded by CAC are committed to this, too.”

Three CAC-assisted organizations gave FreshWater Cleveland the lowdown on their own contributions to the Northeast Ohio community.

Jim Szudy, poses with Brooklyn Mayor Michael Procuk as part of upcoming Cleveland Photo Fest exhibition focused on area mayors and public officialsA picture is worth…

Cleveland Photo Fest was “developed” in the late 2010s by Cleveland photographer Herbert Ascherman, who views the medium as a unifying force for people of all backgrounds.

The month-long event, held each year at the Bostwick Design Art Initiative during the first four weekends of September, is open to amateur shutterbugs and professional photogs alike.

“People are taking photos with [both] phones and sophisticated equipment,” says Photo Fest volunteer fundraiser Sue Starrett. “We want to make sure we’re casting a wide net and remaining welcoming and open.”

This year's exhibition showcases black-and-white portraits of 60 Cuyahoga County mayors and civic officials—captured by a diverse group of 30 area photographers.

For cat enthusiasts, a retrospective of entries from a national cat show will be displayed, along with a juried show of 40 self-portraits by local women.

Additional exhibits will feature the fashion photography of Clevelander Arlene Pachasa and the work of Daniel Hertel-Cournoyer, a member of the LGBTQ community.

Though whimsy and humor are a Photo Fest mainstay, the program does not avoid serious topics, notes Starrett.

“Last year, we had [photos from] an asylum-seeking family from Congo,” Starrett recalls. “It was very emotional seeing the family members on opening night. That’s the magic of Photo Fest: We hang pictures, but then we have these educational events where we make connections.”

CAC grants thousands of dollars to support marketing for an organization with a $10,000 to $12,000 annual budget. Supporting events of all sizes is critical in sustaining a vibrant arts ecosystem, says Photo Fest volunteer Starrett.

“What’s wonderful about CAC is that they embrace smaller programs like ours along with the bigger programs,” she says. “We are all the arts community, and we want to share that with the broader region.”

Cleveland Photo Fest opens Friday, Sept. 6 at the Bostwick Design Art Initiative at 2731 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, 44115, and runs through Sept. 29. Admission is free and open to the public.

Young sewist shows her quilt creation during a recent Oh Sew Powerful eventMaximum power

Perhaps for obvious reasons, Paula Coggins does not like the term “sewer” when referencing Oh Sew Powerful, a Cleveland-based nonprofit providing free sewing instructions for both beginners and experienced needle-and-threaders.

“Sewists” is the preferred nomenclature for visitors to Cleveland’s Frederick Douglass Resource & Recreation Center in the Lee-Miles neighborhood, where participants create clothing, decorative crafts, intricate fiber art pieces, and more. Coggins, a former CPA and business consultant, founded the group in 2020, a time when people sought therapeutic outlets in the face of crisis.

“COVID had people cooped up, and they needed to get back to living,” says Coggins. “So many people expressed their happiness to have an activity they could do out of the house.”

JOANN Inc. (previously known as Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts) supplied sewing machines when in-person gatherings resumed. Since then, the free class has drawn an average of 20 participants to each session. Recent projects include a tree-themed quilt dedicated to the Harvard Community Services Center.

Coggins says she is also excited about an indoor “quilt trail” slated to connect even more public buildings and businesses in the Lee-Harvard neighborhood. While sewing is often considered an older person’s pursuit, the hobby has benefits for young people as well, she adds.

“Sewing in youth develops critical thinking skills that can be used later in life,” Coggins says. “You have to think about a project and figure out how to do it. You’re going through a gamut of planning.”

CAC awarded Oh Sew Powerful two grants last year—one $5,000 grant financed 11 free sewing lessons, while also giving the organization enhanced public recognition.

“There’s lots of exposure in being a grantee—CAC also provides access to resources like seminars and Zoom programs to make us more professional,” says Coggins.

Fun in the fall

Arts-related amusement has been the theme of University Circle, Inc. (UCI)’s Yay! Saturdays program since its inception. Although the premise remains the same, officials have moved the event from its usual summer slot to a regular fall event.

“Originally, the concept was designed to help students bridge the gap between schools being closed during the pandemic to school reopening,” said Heidi Clevinger, UCI chief marketing and experience officer, in an email. “As the pandemic ended, schools reopened, and traditional summer activities resumed. UCI found that the original timing for this program was no longer the best fit.”

Yay! Saturdays invites families and children to explore various interactive zones, with each zone presenting an arts, education, or leisure component. For instance, a STEM area may emphasize science activities, while play zones focus on climbing and running.

As a collaboration among Cleveland Metropolitan School District and other stakeholders, Yay! Saturdays aligns with CAC’s mission “to inspire and strengthen the community by investing in arts and culture,” says Clevinger.

“CAC has been a longtime supporter of many of UCI’s free public programming events such as Yay! Fall Fun and Wade Oval Wednesdays,” Clevinger continues. “Their support is absolutely instrumental to the work that we do and our goal of providing meaningful programming. As a nonprofit, every dollar counts for UCI, and we are grateful for funders like CAC.”