Thank you to the many generous contributors over the years that have made the scholarships and fellowships possible. It is impossible to calculate the number of young lives that have been positively impacted by your generosity
John Paul Miller Scholarship in the Visual Arts
The Klaus Roy Scholarship
The Cleveland Arts Prize Scholarship in Literature
Kathryn Karipides Scholarship in Modern Dance
VERGE FELLOWSHIP
Verge Fellowships are generously supported by grants from the Cleveland Foundation.
OVERVIEW | In 2018, Cleveland Arts Prize, with support from the Cleveland Foundation, launched the (on the) Verge Fellowship to provide unrestricted monetary stipends to promising, developing artists within and across multiple disciplines. Like the Cleveland Arts Prize awards, the Verge Fellowship rewards artists in the Literary Arts, Visual Arts, Dance, Theatre, Music, and Design, as well as interdisciplinary practices.
DESCRIPTION | The program is designed to celebrate and support artists within initial, introductory levels of their artistry. The Verge Fellowship is intended to recognize and support artists on the verge of their arts career, at a level before they would be considered “emerging” artists, who demonstrate creativity, passion and commitment to their arts discipline. CAP will work with community partners to widely promote the Verge Fellowship, select winners and to support the artists during their fellowship period. This support may take the form of exhibitions or other discipline specific opportunities by CAP partners.
GOALS
Provide unrestricted financial resources to promising practicing artists.
Provide mentorship for developing artists by trusted community partners.
Identify and celebrate diverse Cleveland-area artists through an inclusive and accessible selection process.
AWARDS
CAP will award five (5) Verge Fellowships annually a stipend of $2,000. The stipend is unrestricted. In addition to the awards, Verge fellows will have the opportunity to participate in a group and individual photoshoot, a recognition reception, and promotional media opportunities.
SELECTION
CAP will work with arts and culture partners throughout the northeast Ohio region in the selection process and year of fellowship. Partners will be chosen based on the unique audiences they represent and serve. Partners will also designate one representative for the adjudication of Verge Fellowship applications. The jury will work from a predetermined rubric designed to assess an artist’s commitment to their discipline and vision for their artistic contributions. Verge Jurors will be announced by December 15th.
PARTNERS
Partners will play an integral role in the support of selected fellows by providing space, professional development, exhibition venues or other resources to contribute to the artists’ growth and creative network. Mentorship is essential to the Verge Fellowship and partners will be called upon to provide unique support based on their organizational assets. Partners will be announced in the application period.
Partners are encouraged to mentor fellows through the following ways:
Monthly or quarterly check-ins
Engaging with the artist within the artist’s neighborhood
Inviting artist to arts and culture events
Providing exhibition/performance space to artists
ORGANIZATIONAL INTEGRATION
Verge Fellows are part of the CAP fabric and will be integrated in various ways. Including:
Thought partners for ongoing Verge Fellowship program improvements
Engaged as performers and presenters for CAP community programming (i.e. Past Masters, annual CAP Awards ceremony, CAP sponsored events)
RACIAL EQUITY
Intentional efforts to promote the Verge Fellowship to developing artists of color will be implemented. The partnerships with arts and culture organizations representing Cleveland’s diverse communities and arts perspectives are essential to the program's progress. CAP will maintain a standard of racial equity training for all Trustees of the Board.
The application consists of:
2 work samples
Artist statement (250 word max)
Short Bio (250 word max)
Optional support materials: website, links to reviews, additional video/audio file of work, letters of reference, etc.
Eligibility
Only one application per person will be accepted.
Applicants must be at least 15 years of age.
Applicants must reside in the Cuyahoga County area.
Submissions will be accepted December 4, 2023 - January 8, 2024 (11:59pm) Click here to apply.
Two open office sessions will be held for application support and questions on Dec. 19th from 10 - 12pm and Jan. 2nd from 3 - 5pm. These will be in person and virtual.
Winners will be selected and notified on or before February 5, 2024.
There is no fee to enter the contest.