Assembly for the Arts

“Prior to filing with the irs, the form 990 (as completed by the organization's certified public accountant) is presented to the business manager and president & chief executive officer for review and approval. The form 990 is then distributed to the full board of trustees electronically for review. The trustees are provided with at least five business days to review the form, with any comments and questions addressed as needed. A board officer then authorizes the final filing of the 990 by signing form 8879-eo and the 990 is electronically submitted to the irs.”

“Officers, directors and key employees are required to sign a statement acknowledging compliance with the organization's conflict of interest policy. This statement is required to be re-executed on an annual basis.”

“The board chair annually appoints a compensation and benefits committee to determine the executive salary within guidelines determined by a review of comparable arts-related organizations. The board has adopted the irs-written "rebuttable presumption" checklist contemporaneous with the officer review.”

“Compensation review process is performed by the top official, who uses comparable compensation data for similarly qualified persons. The documentation is performed contemporaneously and the key employees' compensation is a component of the budget, which is reviewed and approved by the board of directors.”

“The organization's governing documents, form 990 conflict of interest policy and financial statements are made available to the public upon request. The form 990 can also be found on several publically-accessible websites.”

“Assembly for the arts convenes, coordinates, and collaborates with everyone who lives and works in greater cleveland to strengthen and support those in the region who create, present, experience and appreciate all forms of arts and culture.”

“List of accomplishments fiscal year 2023-2024 (july 1, 2023 - june 30, 2024) assembly for the arts (assembly) works to ensure that everyone who lives and works in greater cleveland benefits from a diverse and equitable arts and cultural sector, and recognizes that the arts are an essential, defining element in the quality of life, social fabric, and economic vitality of the region. Assembly supports this aim by serving cultural nonprofits, artists, and creative businesses through advocacy for inclusive cultural policy, racial equity initiatives, research and marketing that elevates arts and culture in the region. During the 2023-24 fiscal year, assembly for the arts accomplished the following: online resources - assembly for the arts hosts free educational content on its own website and collaborated on managing the free website cleveland arts and events. The websites contain educational information about business planning for artists, research about greater cleveland arts and culture, grants, loans, space, artist registry and other resources to support creative industries. Arts and culture policy - assembly facilitated multiple community dialogues, forums and individual meetings to provide education and information for decision makers and the local arts and culture community on local public policies that would benefit the community. Research - assembly disseminated the results of a national study of arts and culture economic impact that included greater cleveland. Assembly held a listening campaign and research to assess the needs, challenges and opportunities for individual artists and creative professionals. Technical assistance consultancies - staff offered free individualized counsel to artists, cultural nonprofits, and creative businesses and those wishing to engage with them. Sessions primarily provided strategic advice pointing to pertinent research, community resources, and contacts that could support their arts and cultural endeavors. Artist support - assembly worked with 16 individual artists to support them financially and through other support serves for their community-based projects including projects such as a youth photography program, sustainable rain barrel art program, intergenerational community drum circle program and others. Assembly also offered courses on quickbooks for small artist businesses and partnered on a community event to connect artists with business support nonprofits. Assembly provided fiscal sponsorship for a number mission-driven arts and cultural projects including, for example, a dance organization to preserve positive hip hop culture, art-print workshops for underserved youth, and a free community celebration of juneteenth with creative performances and local resources.”