The Cleveland Arts Education Consortium (CAEC), in-residence at Cleveland State University, convenes educators from the county’s large and small arts organizations to share information and support. Since the organization was founded in 1999, meetings and special events have expanded awareness about CAEC’s work in the community and the value of the arts in life-long learning. Coupled with the 2008
opening of the CAEC office in CSU’s Center for Arts in Innovation, CAEC has presented a stimulating series of member meetings and special sessions around town and on the CSU campus. Meeting topics include program evaluation, advocacy in the current economic landscape, funding issues, best practices in management, effective arts marketing, and new education initiatives. Guest speakers include administrators from CSU and other area universities, local arts leaders, State and Local legislators, and representatives from the Ohio Citizens for the Arts, Ohio Department of Education, RAND Corporation, and the Ford Foundation. CAEC also invites funders and members of COSE’s Arts Network, Neighborhood Connections, Community Partnership for Arts and Culture Roundtable, Facing History and Ourselves, Starting Point, MyCom and other institutions to attend meetings and participate in CAEC projects. With funding from The Cleveland Foundation, the Cleveland Arts Education Consortium developed an innovative on-line website guide for Out-of-School Time arts and culture program offerings throughout Cuyahoga County. Introduced and launched in August 2009, the searchable website — www.smartculturesource.org — guides visitors to find dance, drama, music, visual arts, history, literature and science programs for Pre-K to Grade 12 youth.
