<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><o:SmartTagType
namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceName"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PostalCode"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="State"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="City"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="Street"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="address"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="place"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Arial Narrow";
panose-1:2 11 5 6 2 2 2 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Century Schoolbook";
panose-1:2 4 6 4 5 5 5 2 3 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
line-height:normal;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
line-height:130%;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
span.EmailStyle22
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:2008555775;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:1740439292 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><img width=141 height=48
id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01C8AF92.42E85EB0"></span></font><font
color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-family:"Arial Narrow";
color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:black'>Contact: Lauren
Sable<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:black'>
(216) 592-2396<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:black'>
lsable<a href="mailto:amarko@gcpartnership.com"><font color=black><span
style='color:black;text-decoration:none'>@cose.org</span></font></a></span></font><font
size=5 color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;
font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=5
face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";
font-weight:bold'>COSE Announces Finalists for<br>
Arts Business and Innovation Awards<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=1
color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";
color:black;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=1
color=black face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";
color:black;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";font-weight:bold'>CLEVELAND, May 6, 2008 </span></font></b><font
face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>— <font
color=black><span style='color:black'>COSE’s (Council of Smaller
Enterprises) Arts Network will </span></font>recognize the entrepreneurial
risks taken by both artists and small businesses at the COSE Arts Business and
Innovation Awards on Thursday, May 15, from 6 – 9 pm at <st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Park Lane</st1:address></st1:Street> Villa in <st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">University Circle</st1:address></st1:Street>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>Thirty-six artists, galleries, arts
organization and arts-based businesses from around the region applied for the
three categories of Arts Business and Innovation Awards. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>The Cleveland Arts Prize Shared Category
recognizes an artist who has already been recognized for the caliber of work
through receiving an Arts Prize, and they have also shown a commitment to
sustaining their careers through sound business practices. <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>This year’s finalists are:</span></b>
Groundworks Dancetheater (dancer/choreographer David Shimotakahara), author
Mary Doria Russell, composer Loris Chobanian, poet George Bilgere, and
photographer Linda Butler. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>The Artist Entrepreneur category recognizes
an artist, arts group or arts based business who has demonstrated a commitment
to sustaining their career in the arts through sound business practices. <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>This year’s finalists are:</span></b>
Interactive Works of Art (artist Melissa Daubert), Prelude2Cinema (film maker
Alex P. Michaels) <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Peninsula</st1:PlaceType>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Arts</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Academy</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
Fairplay Stonecarvers (artists Nick Fairplay and Elizabeth Meadows), and TAP
Studios/Gallery M (jewelry artist Todd Powmell).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=3 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></font></span></span></font><![endif]><font face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>The Business Patron Category is an honorary
award which recognizes businesses for engaging in creative partnerships that
have benefited the local arts community. The Business Patron Category winners
have already been selected. <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>This year’s
winners are:</span></b> Studio Graphique, for their Art of Space exhibit and
auction, and ZeroLandfill, for their commitment to connecting artists and arts
educators with recycled materials from interior design firms. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>“We were very excited with the number
of applications and the variety of artistic backgrounds of the
applicants,” said Abby Maier, COSE’s arts network leader. “We
know that focusing on the business aspect of art is a different twist on an
arts award– that’s not something generally associated with the
arts. However it’s so important for artists to pay attention to these
issues, and we knew there were plenty of great examples out there that we could
show to the community. I think our finalists really exemplify the traits we
were hoping to recognize – understanding their financial situation,
planning for the future, and knowing how to market their work.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>Tickets are still available for the event,
which is free for COSE members and $15 for non-members. For more information,
log on to <a href="http://www.cosearts.org/">www.cosearts.org</a> or call (216)
592-2472. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";font-weight:bold'>About COSE & COSE Arts
Network<br>
<br>
</span></font></b><font face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>COSE,
<st1:place w:st="on">Northeast Ohio</st1:place>’s largest small business
support organization, strives to help small businesses grow and maintain their
independence. Comprised of more than 17,000 member companies, COSE has a long
history of fighting for the rights of all small business owners, whether
it’s through group purchasing programs in healthcare, workers’
compensation, payroll services, or shipping, or advocating for specific changes
in legislation or regulation. COSE also produces more than 100 networking and
business education events each year - all focused on connecting our members to
each other to increase their productivity and sales.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>The COSE Arts Network, in
partnership with the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC), creates
an opportunity for the arts and business worlds to intersect through educational
and networking events, access to resources and unique promotional
opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>(www.cose.org)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='line-height:normal'><i><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black;font-style:italic'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p style='line-height:normal'><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:normal'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>###<i><font color=black><span
style='color:black;font-style:italic'><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Lauren Sable<br>
Manager, Public Relations<br>
</span></font><strong><b><font color=red face="Estrangelo Edessa"><span
style='font-family:"Estrangelo Edessa";color:red'>COSE</span></font></b></strong><font
color=red face="Century Schoolbook"><span style='font-family:"Century Schoolbook";
color:red'> </span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>| Council of Smaller Enterprises<br>
The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Higbee</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Building</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><br>
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address
w:st="on">100 Public Square, Suite 210</st1:address></st1:Street><br>
</st1:address></st1:Street><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Cleveland</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">OH</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">44113</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><br>
Phone (216) 592-2396<br>
Fax (216) 621-6013<br>
<a href="mailto:lsable@cose.org" title="blocked::mailto:mmccracken@cose.org">lsable@cose.org</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue;font-style:italic'>Looking
to engage in a community of business owners just like you? Join a COSE
Network - Home Business, NEOSA (technology), Arts - and gain access to people,
resources and support for your cause. Learn more at <a
href="blocked::http://www.cose.org/" title="http://www.cose.org/">www.cose.org</a>.</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>