Cleveland, OH
Cleveland’s Transformative Arts Fund grant application now open
CLEVELAND — The application for Cleveland’s Transformative Arts Fund (TAF) grant program is now open, according to a press release from the city.
The fund provides almost $3 million to local artists to fund their projects, and the application portal is open until 11:59 p.m. on March 30.
“Our local creative community provides the heartbeat that keeps our neighborhoods vibrant and alive – they inspire our children, bring difficult societal challenges to light, and empower us to take action,” Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said in the release. “This transformative-level of funding we will be providing is designed to award artists who propose projects that will have a sustained, positive impact in the community long after they are completed.”
Money ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 will be awarded to a minimum of 6 but up to 12 total projects. The release notes that while the lead artist or artists apply, they need a commitment from a partner organization “who will provide organizational support and administrative assistance for the project.”
The release also laid out the following criteria for the projects to receive consideration:
- The lead artist must be 18+ years old and live in the City of Cleveland
- The partnering institution must be located in the City of Cleveland
- The proposed project must be based in the City of Cleveland
The art is not restricted to a particular focus area, and the city is encouraging various kinds of artists from painters, to musicians to filmmakers and others to apply for the grants. The release notes that “special consideration” is given to projects that work address “vacant land reutilization, the environment, food insecurity, violence prevention, safe spaces in the city, social determinants of health, and matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Cleveland Councilman Kevin Conwell said in the release that he played instruments for hours after school when he was a child.
“This sparked a creative fire in me and kept me out of trouble,” he said. “The arts are a catalyst for innovation, pushing boundaries, and challenging the status quo. This is a big deal for Cleveland.”
The applications will be judged by an advisory committee led by local artists, which will make final recommendations to the mayor and representatives for city council. The recipients of awards will receive word this summer.
There will be six informational sessions hosted by the city on this process, the first being Feb. 8.
The city is partnering with The Assembly for the Arts on this program. According to the release, this partnership will ensure artists can receive the money upfront instead of being reimbursed by the city upon completion. The artists who receive awards will need to offer a progress report to the city every quarter.
“The arts foster community engagement and social cohesion,” Council President Blaine Griffin said in the release. “They bring people together, promote dialogue, and encourage collaboration. By supporting the arts fund, we invest in projects and initiatives that bring diverse communities together, bridge social divides, and promote understanding and empathy. I commend my colleague Councilman Kevin Conwell for his leadership and push to make this transformative arts fund a reality.”
The NBA world is waiting in anticipation to see what 41-year-old LeBron James will do next with his career, and the story just got more interesting.
Over the weekend, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson had a quote that turned heads. “You guys know there’s a little free agency thing going on right now. That could be our real jump, and you know what I’m talking about. That’s exciting too.”
“We’re in the mix for the greatest player of all time”
Cavs Head Coach Kenny Atkinson discusses with @WorldWideWob, @DarthAmin, and Ryan McDonough what it would be like to have LeBron return to Cleveland
Hear our Summer League coverage! ⬇️https://t.co/jnEcXNELrs pic.twitter.com/RLf47TlpM5 — SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 12, 2026
The Cavaliers coach also went on to say, “Listen, this is an exciting time for us, right? Like we’re in the mix for, you know, the greatest player of all time… I think you’re nervous, but we understand how it is. He’s obviously earned that right to take his time.”
Major Interest
The Cavaliers knew roster changes needed to happen following their exit from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Finals. While making the conference finals was an achievement, getting swept embarrassingly by the eventual champion New York Knicks showed one thing: this team still had a clear gap to close if they were to win a championship.
A quote like this from an NBA coach is not typical in the slightest. Atkinson is making his interest in LeBron clear on a national stage, and rightfully so. LeBron brings a skill set the Cavaliers have been missing since his departure: a lengthy forward who can help with spacing while also adding playmaking, postseason experience, and late-game control.
A New Mentality
Aside from roster fit, LeBron can bring something this team has needed for quite some time: a new mentality. The Cavaliers have been labeled as soft, stemming from a quote such as “the lights were brighter than expected” by Jarrett Allen after a series loss to the Knicks in 2023.
“Even for me, the lights were brighter than expected.”
– Jarrett Allen on his playoff struggles
(Via @SpinDavies ) pic.twitter.com/f9ax5rUXkJ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 27, 2023
LeBron, despite his age, still has his championship mentality. This is evident from his playoff series against the Rockets while he was still with the Lakers this past May. LeBron led the Lakers past a younger, arguably more talented team in the Rockets to advance to the second round.
The hope is that this championship mentality can rub off on the Cavs’ younger talent while LeBron wraps up his career in the wine and gold.
It looks like everyone is waiting on what “The King” does next, including his next potential head coach. This is for good reason, as LeBron could be the missing piece needed to take the Cavaliers to the next level, not only because he remains one of the greatest players of all time, but because he could bring a championship mentality to a core that desperately needs it.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A massive water main break and a possible sinkhole was reported in Cleveland Monday afternoon.
A 19 News crew is on scene at the intersection of E 130th Street and Buckeye Road for the possible reported sinkhole and a water main break.
According to the Cleveland Division of Water, the break on Buckeye Road is a 10-inch water main and a repair crew is on the way.
The water has been shut off, but the area remains closed due to the debris and for cleanup.
19 News has made call outs to officials for more information.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The body of a missing boy in Lake Erie was found Sunday afternoon, according to the Cleveland Fire Department.
Multiple agencies searched Lake Erie Saturday night and continued searching Sunday morning for a young boy who was reported in the water near the East 55th Street Marina.
The search for the boy had turned into a recovery mission before Metroparks divers discovered the body, Cleveland Fire Chief Mike Norman said.
Cleveland Fire, Metroparks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources responded to the call, which came in just before 9 p.m. Saturday.
Search efforts
Cleveland Fire said crews responded to a report of a child in the water. A fire boat made multiple passes over the area, shining a light into the water. Two divers were also sent into the lake to search for the child. No body was found.
A helicopter was also spotted flying over the water near the bank, searching with a spotlight.
The Cleveland Fire Department said at 10:15 p.m. Saturday that its crew in the lake would be ending their search soon.
Cleveland fire crews said Sunday that they resumed the search for the missing boy before turning operations over to a recovery mission.
Chief Norman said Metroparks divers are transporting the body and receiving assistance from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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