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Our mission, our organization

Welcome to the CPAC questions and answers page. To ask a question, contact us via phone or e-mail. Please include “FAQ” in your subject line.

What is CPAC?
The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) is a nonprofit arts and culture service organization dedicated to our region’s arts and culture sector. CPAC strengthens the sector’s capacity, resulting in a vibrant quality of life, better educational opportunities and a strong economy. CPAC provides programs and services in three core competency areas: business practices, public policy and research.

What is CPAC’s service area?
CPAC is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and serves Cuyahoga County and the contiguous counties of Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit. While much of CPAC’s work takes place in Cuyahoga County, CPAC works with other counties and communities in the region to address arts and culture concerns relating to CPAC’s core competency areas.

Why does CPAC exist?
The Cleveland Foundation and The George Gund Foundation formed CPAC in 1997 because they recognized the need to establish a single agency to work with Northeast Ohio’s public, private, and arts and culture sectors to develop and implement a regional arts and cultural strategy.

Is CPAC a government agency?
No. CPAC is an independent, nonprofit 501 (c)3 organization. However, CPAC often cooperates with government agencies to assist them in the development of their cultural assets.

How does CPAC work?
CPAC sustains and cultivates the arts and culture sector through its core competencies.

• Public Policy: We work with municipalities to develop sound culture policy. Examples of this work include helping Cuyahoga and Lake Counties develop arts and cultural grant programs and conducting research on live/work and percent for art legislation.
• Capacity Building: We develop programs that assist individual artists and arts and cultural organizations with strengthening business practices. Examples of this work include the Artist as an Entrepreneur Institute and CultureADD.
• Research: We conduct research that showcases the value of arts and culture as it relates to education, the economy and the region’s quality of life. We also periodically perform market research that supports and informs the arts and culture sector’s operating activities.

Does CPAC provide funding to artists or arts and cultural organizations?
No. While CPAC has periodically been engaged to assist municipalities with their arts and culture grants programs, CPAC does not typically provide funds to artists or arts and cultural organizations. The best resource for identifying funding opportunities for arts and culture programs is the Foundation Center – Cleveland.

Who are Cuyahoga Arts + Culture and what do they do?

Cuyahoga Arts + Culture (CAC) is a Regional Arts and Culture District and one of the largest local public sector funders of arts and culture in the country.  The CAC is comprised of a full-time administrative staff, a board of trustees and an independent advisory committee.  These three groups work together to develop best practices in grant programming and develop and manage aspects of the adjudication process of all funds generated as a result of Issue 18.  A list of staff, board and advisors can be found at www.cacgrants.org.

Does CPAC distribute the incoming funds generated from Issue 18?

No.  CPAC does not host the arts and culture grant programs or distribute any of the funds generated from Issue 18.  Cuyahoga Arts + Culture was created to distribute these funds.

How can I get more information on Cuyahoga Arts + Culture?

Please contact the CAC directly.  Go to www.cacgrants.org, call them directly at 216-515-8303, or email info@cacgrants.org.

Does CPAC offer art classes?
No. We do not participate directly in the creation of arts and culture programs and services. However, we can help direct you to organizations that provide such services. Please contact our office at 216 575 0331 to find out more.

How can I get involved?

Join our Community and be the first in the region to hear about activities, events and changes in policy that affect the arts and culture sector. Visit our Public Opinion and Policy page to learn about current efforts to strengthen cultural policy in Northeast Ohio. Search our Research section for information that will help you become a better advocate for Northeast Ohio’s arts and culture sector. Explore our Business Practices area to find out about programs and services that will help you operate better as an artist or arts and cultural organization. Learn about training, networking opportunities and other events for artists and cultural sector leaders through our Events page.

Why should I support Northeast Ohio’s Arts and Culture Sector?
The arts and culture sector in Northeast Ohio is at risk and need our support. Arts and culture is a critical part of our regional identity. Children that participate in arts and culture activities are better students. Arts and culture is a tremendous economic engine for our region. Arts and culture improves the quality of life for everyone who lives in Northeast Ohio.