Assembly for the Arts has opened applications for its 2025 Creative Impact Fund grant program, offering unrestricted funds to 30 Cuyahoga County artists. Now in its third year, the program will award $5,000 to career artists, with the goal of promoting artistic growth and impact in Northeast Ohio.

Literary Cleveland is hosting "A Lit Summer Night: Story Slam Fundraiser" its free community programming and Inkubator Writing Conference. The event features personal stories inspired by Rita Dove's work, with performances by notable writers and poets, as well as live music, appetizers, and a silent auction.

The Teen Writers' Symposium, organized by Lake Erie Ink and Cleveland State University's English Department, is designed to inspire young writers with interactive workshops, panel discussions, and meet-and-greets with acclaimed local and regional authors. The event will cover various genres including poetry, fiction, fantasy, and graphic novels, and a chance to connect with like-minded peers.

Heights Arts, a nonprofit gallery in Cleveland Heights, is hosting an ARTbar concert featuring guitarist and vocalist Moises Borges tonight, Thursday, April 24. The event combines live Bossa Nova and Samba music with art and cocktails, offering attendees a chance to explore the gallery's latest exhibition, "Regional Perspectives," showcasing works from nine Northeast Ohio artists.

Cleveland artist Jason Toth has opened a new gallery and listening room at 78th Street Studios, combining high-end audio with Toth's hyper-colored immersive photography installations. The space creates a unique experience for art lovers and audiophiles alike.

Northeast Ohio's bookstores will celebrate the 12th annual Independent Bookstore Day this Saturday April 26. Eighteen local bookshops will participate in the nationwide event, offering a range of activities including author readings, signings, giveaways, and a region-wide bookstore crawl.

Cleveland's 15th annual Dyngus Day celebration, a Polish cultural festival held on Easter Monday is taking over the Gordon Square Arts District, Gordon Green, and surrounding areas today. The event features polka music, Polish food, contests, and various festivities spread across multiple venues and closed streets.

The 49th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF49) concluded with recognizing its award winners and exceptional independent filmmaking across various categories. The festival screened 300 feature and short films from 60 countries, distributed a total of $134,500 in cash prizes.

The Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) Library will reopen this Thursday after an 18-month closure from a September 2023 fire. Swift action by WRHS staff and collaboration with restoration experts Belfor Property Restoration and The Conservation Center allowed for a total restoration.

YMCA of Greater Cleveland and Cleveland Public Theatre are collaborating for the 26th year on the Y-Haven Theatre Project, which allows Y-Haven residents to share their stories of addiction, recovery, and hope in the upcoming original play, "Roots Through Ruin."

The 49th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF49) kicked off at Playhouse Square last Thursday, March 27.The 10-day festival features 300 films from 60 countries. Special events, workshops, and community engagement programs are also planned, with closing night events on Saturday, April 5.

The Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, joining an elite group of only 3% of U.S. museums to receive this recognition. The rigorous accreditation process highlights WRHS' commitment to excellence in education, collection stewardship, and community engagement.

A group of 10 teenage designers recently participated in a graphic design clinic as part of the Cleveland Cavaliers' "Bigger than Basketball" initiative. The students designed warm-up shirts worn by the Cleveland Charge, the NBA G League affiliate of the Cavs, during their final home game of the season.

The Cleveland Foundation announced the finalists in the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards for the first time in its 90-year history. Ten books addressing racism and cultural diversity have been selected in four categories. The winners will be revealed in April, with additional celebrations planned for Cleveland Book Week in the fall.

Canalway's annual Towpath Trail Lantern Parade brought together more than 300 participants to welcome spring and bid farewell to winter. The event featured creative lanterns made by community members and commissioned works by 11 local artists—all using upcycled materials.

Canalway is hosting its annual Towpath Trail Lantern Parade tonight, Saturday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m. at Sokolowski’s Overlook. The eco-friendly celebration features lanterns created by local artists using repurposed materials, highlighting themes of creativity, sustainability, and welcoming spring along the Cuyahoga River.

With a diverse background, BAYarts' new executive director Elizabeth "Beth" Milli says she wants to make art more accessible and welcoming to the community and engage younger residents while also overseeing the Huntington Playhouse restoration.

Lake Erie Ink's 13th annual Kids' Comic Con occurs this weekend at moCa and the Cleveland Museum of Art Community Arts Center at the Pivot Center. The two-day event offers young artists and storytellers an immersive experience in comic creation and artistic expression with workshops, guest artists, an Artists' Alley, and activities.

Another brilliant day of music, creativity, community, and fire is in the books as #BriteWinter2025 wraps up its Sweet 16th year. Photographer Shawn Brewster recaps the memorable event this photo essay.

Brite Winter, Cleveland's annual winter festival, returns for its 16th year with a new location on the East Bank of the Flats. This weekend's event features nearly 30 musical acts, art installations, food trucks, and family-friendly activities. With a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, Brite Winter brings the community together around the fire during Cleveland's coldest months!