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 Cleveland Cavaliers have traded out of the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Cavs had the No. 29 overall selection on Tuesday night. But Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman decided to trade that selection to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for No. 34 overall and a future second-round selection.
At No. 29 overall, the Cavs will send the Kings UConn forward Alex Karaban.
“It’s in the distant future,” a source told cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor about the future second-round selection acquired in this deal.
Reports from Fedor surfaced early Tuesday morning that the Cavaliers could be interested in bailing out of the first round. By late Tuesday night, Altman was able to execute a trade that sets the Cavs up for further flexibility in the offseason.
Why the Cavs traded out of No. 29 overall
The Cavaliers would’ve owed the No. 29 pick a guaranteed salary just under $2 million.
Because the Cavs are in the lone second apron – and could be looking to shed salary this offseason – ditching the No. 29 overall pick saves the Cavaliers a couple of bucks.
Second round picks are non-guaranteed, two-way deals. That gives the Cavs the financial flexibility they’re looking for.
What the Cavs could do at No. 34 overall
This is a talented draft class. A few high profile players slid into the second round.
UNC center Henri Veesaar is still waiting to hear his name called. The 7-foot center could be a backup to Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Duke wing Isaiah Evans is also still waiting to hear his name called, and could fill a big position of need for the Cavaliers. Arkansas guard Maleek Thomas was consistently mocked to Cleveland, and he slid to Day 2 as well.
There’s always a chance that Altman could trade back again.
Second round draft picks are valuable because they could be used as sweeteners in trades this offseason. For example, in exchange for a team taking on the contract of a player like Dennis Schroder or Max Strus, the Cavaliers might want to attach a second round draft pick to make the package more appealing to a trade partner.
Flexibility should be the name of the game for Altman as he tries to improve Cleveland’s roster this offseason. The Cavs won’t have a first round draft pick until 2028. But bailing out of Tuesday night’s first round will give Altman plenty of options on Wednesday and into the rest of the offseason.
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University of Minnesota star wrestler Max McEnelly won the 2026 NCAA national championship at 184 pounds, and he’s now set to face superstar Bo Nickal at Real American Freestyle (RAF) 12 on August 22nd in Cleveland, Ohio.
THIS MATCH UP🔥
Bo Nickal takes on Max McEnelly August 22 in Cleveland at RAF12.
Tickets in bio. Stream exclusively on @foxnation pic.twitter.com/loEWdeb5pZ
— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) June 22, 2026
McEnelly is preparing for his redshirt junior season with the Gophers, and Nickal is 9-1 as a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, following a storied collegiate wrestling career at Penn State. Their freestyle wrestling match will be contested at 215 pounds.
RAF is an American freestyle wrestling promotion that was founded by Chad Bronstein, Terri Francis, and Hulk Hogan in 2025. The August 22nd show at Rocket Arena will be the one-year anniversary of the promotion. The fights will be broadcast on FOX Nation.
Nickal most recently competed at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, where he defeated Kyle Daukas via first-round finish. He’s now 6-1 in his UFC career. His match against McEnelly will be his second under RAF. He defeated Jacob Cardenas via decision at the promotion’s first show last summer.
Nickal is 6-foot-1, and he wrestled at 197 pounds at Penn State. He competes at the 185-pound middweight division in the UFC, so he might have a slight size advantage over McEnelly, who’s 5-foot-10. The event will be a high-profile opportunity, as McEnelly continues to establish himself as one of the best pound-for-pound wrestlers in the country.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A man was killed Friday after being shot at a gas station on the city’s East side.
Cleveland police said they responded to the Sunoco in the 3300 block of E. 93rd St. around 8:30 p.m.
According to police, officers were in the area when they heard gunshots.
When officers arrived at the gas station, they found the victim with gunshot wounds.
Officers immediately began to provide first aid until EMS arrived and transported him to University Hospitals.
Carl Formby, 49, died from his injuries at the hospital.
Officers said they found two firearms and several casings at the scene.
The Cleveland Police Homicide Unit is investigating the incident.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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