FILLING A GAP

A partner for every citizen in Northeast Ohio

Form Follows Function

Northeast Ohio’s arts and cultural community rivals that of other major cities nationwide. Indeed, it is internationally recognized. This rich tradition spans over 200 years, with cultural organizations and artists as key assets in the region’s history and development. Few metropolitan areas can boast the depth and breadth of cultural assets this region offers the world.

By the mid-1990’s, however, a number of cultural institutions were suffering from ongoing financial crises. In response to the threat to Cleveland’s cultural assets, The Cleveland Foundation Civic Study Commission on the Performing Arts explored the depth of the problem and identified solutions. The Commission made a number of recommendations to assure the continued vitality of the region’s cultural assets for generations to come. A key recommendation called for a process to create a community-wide arts and culture plan for Greater Cleveland. CPAC was launched to work with the region’s people to create an arts and culture blueprint for success.

In 30 months of quantitative and qualitative research, we sponsored nine major studies and 42 regional public forums, producing a solid plan based on data and broad public participation. We actively solicited community input from thousands of residents in public meetings, forums, advisory groups and surveys. Northeast Ohio's Arts & Culture Plan was released in May of 2000 and CPAC was charged with its specified implementation, management and evaluation. Over time, CPAC has evolved into a service provider focused toward filling three functional gaps identified through the planning process: business practices, public policy and research.