Notes from Arts & Culture Network Night

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Thank you to everyone who attended Arts & Culture Network Night last week!

More than 65 people made connections, shared resources, and discussed topics important to them. This quarterly gathering is sponsored by Neighbor Up and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, but it is hosted by a team of volunteers. Thank you to the wonderful volunteer team that made last week a success! If you’d like to join the team, we’d love to have your help. There are a number of ways to get involved and it doesn’t require a long-term commitment. Contact Lj to learn more.

Save the Date

The next Arts & Culture Network Night will be on Thursday, November 7th from 6 to 8 p.m. at NewBridge Cleveland, 3634 Euclid Ave.

Mark your calendars and share on social media now. Find the Facebook event here.


Business of the Network

Business of the Network Conversations are a chance to explore topics that matter to you, find potential collaborators, and take action together.

  • Charlotte hosted a conversation about how to bring art activism to a community that is resistant. 
  • Sara hosted a conversation to brainstorm ways for art and culture to foster social enterprise and generate income in underserved communities. Collaboration came up as a key component. Two people even found a common interest and decided to work together on a youth mural project. 
  • Dawn hosted a conversation to learn what arts and culture projects people are dreaming about for their community. As the Action Strategist for ioby Cleveland, Dawn was able to connect participants to potential resources. If you have an idea that needs funding, learn more about crowdfunding with ioby.
  • Bj hosted a conversation about the ways arts and culture can be used to bridge economic and racial divides. Recognizing that music is a great tool to bridge perceived difference, this group talked about sharing resources to hold pop-up events. 

Marketplace

Marketplace is a high-energy exercise that’s all about abundance. It reminds us that everyone has something to offer and that we have more resources at our fingertips that we realize. 

For about 20 minutes, participants take turns making a request or an offer. Here are a few examples from this event: 

  • Tony offered a ride to the exhibit Through Darkness to Light on Sept. 19th. Carpool from Neighborhood Connections leaving at 4 p.m., returning at 9 p.m. Free admission to the exhibit that day!
  • Ed offered free children’s books through his work with the Kids Book Bank.
  • Mark requested point-and-shoot cameras for use on a Photovoice project with youth in the Central neighborhood.
  • Sara requested donation of unique raffle items for her upcoming fundraiser. On the spot, one artist donated one of her original paintings!

We also have a table at Arts & Culture Network Night for people to share their events. Check out this Facebook post for links to those events.