We’ve covered a lot of the discussion around the Cuyahoga Arts and Culture board and how it often seems opaque and unresponsive to area artists. According to the enabling legislation for the levy which Cuyahoga Arts & Culture is tasked with administering, At least two Board members must devote a major portion of their time to practicing, performing or teaching any of the arts or are professional administrators in the arts or cultural heritage. That is not the case now — that number is zero.
Last year, county executive Chris Ronayne, who is tasked with appointing board members pending approval by county council, appointed two individuals with no arts background — Daniel Blackmore, director philanthropy at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley Nation Park, and Dr. Michelle Scott Taylor, chief program officer at College Now Greater Cleveland (she was reappointed to the board.)
Two new board members music be named by Ronayne by late March when the terms of Karolyn Isenhart and Charna Sherman expire. Both have at least some connection to the arts, Isenhart as board chair of the Lakewood Arts Festival and Sherman serving on the boards of numerous arts groups. But neither is a practicing artist. Isenhart says she is reapplying; Sherman has said she isn’t.
Applications have been solicited since late last year for the two seats, with many encouraging artists to apply. The deadline was supposedly January 1; you can check here to see if there’s still time to apply.
Last week, CAN Journal posted a list of those who have applied so far, many of whom are artists or involved in some aspect of the arts community.
Here’s their list:
Rebecca (no last name given), dance studio owner Parker Amsel, gallerist/collector John Farina, educator/administrator Monique Patterson-Ceasor, visual artist Nancy Schwartz Katz, visual artist Darice Polo, photographer Aireonna McCall, dancer Micaela Barrett, visual artist Laura Mangual-Lenke, visual artist Lo Smith, comedian Ramon Rivas II, visual artist/poet Michael Loderstedt, former Barking Spider owner Jenna Juredine, artist/writer Robert Wright, musician/club owner Emma Jochum, visual artist Michael Gutierrez, writer/comedian Stephanie Ginese, lighting designer James Zammikiel and poet Kisha Nicole Foster.
To apply, go here.