<div dir="ltr"><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-8231439b-7fff-e917-8960-8f02e573f16f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b>PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b>April 14, 2025</b></span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Northeast Ohio Arts Leaders Join </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">CreativeOhio’s Inaugural Advocacy Leadership Institute</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">CLEVELAND, OH – CreativeOhio has announced the selection of five arts leaders from northeast Ohio—including Cleveland, Lakewood, and Akron—for the inaugural CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI). This innovative program, <b>launching in May 2025</b>, will equip participants with advocacy skills, legislative insights, and statewide connections to champion Ohio’s creative sector. These leaders are among a cohort of 25, representing 15 cities throughout the state.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The selected northeast Ohio cohort members are:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Celeste Cosentino, Executive Artistic Director. Ensemble Theatre (Cleveland)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Maya Curtis, Grants Manager, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (Cleveland)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Michael Gill, Executive Director/Editor/Publisher, CAN Journal (Lakewood)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Olivia Villaseñor, Program Manager, Tri-C Film Academy (Cleveland)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Mac Love, Co-Founder & Chief Catalyst, ART x LOVE (Akron)</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">“These northeast Ohio leaders exemplify the strength and diversity of the creative community in Northeast Ohio,” said Sarah Sisser, Executive Director & CEO of CreativeOhio. “Their participation in this program will further empower them to advocate for the arts, ensuring that creativity continues to be a driver of economic growth and cultural vibrancy in our state.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute, which runs from May to October 2025, provides participants with hands-on workshops, site visits to cultural hubs, and in-depth discussions on legislative processes, public funding, and advocacy strategies. The program is designed to cultivate a new generation of advocacy champions dedicated to strengthening Ohio’s creative economy.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">“We have a wonderful opportunity as arts workers in Northeast Ohio and across the state to strengthen our advocacy efforts. I’m thrilled to take advantage of the moment, and emerge a stronger sector,”</span><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> <b><i>said Maya Curtis.</i></b> </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">“The creative sector is such a fundamental part of our Cleveland culture, I am both excited and honored to be part of this unique opportunity to talk about statewide collaboration, advocacy and collective action”</span><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> <b><i>said Celeste Cosentino </i></b></span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">“The arts are a vital catalyst for our individual and collective wellbeing,”</span><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> <b><i>says Mac Love</i></b>, Co-Founder & Chief Catalyst of ART x LOVE.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> “I am looking forward to touring the region and working with arts leaders to further differentiate and support Ohio’s creative community. Together, we can make the arts more accessible, rewarding, and positively impactful for all.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute is made possible with support from The George Gund Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and Edwards Companies.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">For more information about the CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute and to see the full cohort, <a href="https://creativeoh.org/creativeohio-welcomes-25-leaders-to-inaugural-advocacy-institute/">click here!</a></span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">About CreativeOhio</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">CreativeOhio is the statewide voice for Ohio’s creative sector. With over 130 member organizations, we provide leadership, advocacy, and support to strengthen and enhance Ohio through arts, culture, and creativity.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">###</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b style="">Media Contact for Northeast Ohio Cohort:</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b>Celeste Cosentino</b>, Executive Artistic Director, Ensemble Theatre of Cleveland (Cleveland) <b><a href="mailto:celeste@ensemble-theatre.org">celeste@ensemble-theatre.org</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b>Maya Curtis</b>, Grants Manager, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (Cleveland) </span><b><a href="mailto:Maya.Alexandria.C@gmail.com">Maya.Alexandria.C@gmail.com</a></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b>Michael Gill</b>, Executive Director/Editor/Publisher, CAN Journal (Lakewood) </span><b><a href="mailto:michael@canjournal.org">michael@canjournal.org</a></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b>Olivia Villaseñor</b>, Program Manager, Tri-C Film Academy (Cleveland) </span><b><a href="mailto:Olivia.Villasenor@tri-c.edu">Olivia.Villasenor@tri-c.edu</a></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b>Mac Love</b>, Co-Founder & Chief Catalyst, ART x LOVE (Akron) </span><b><a href="mailto:mac@artxlove.com">mac@artxlove.com</a></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><b><br></b></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><b>Media Contact for CreativeOhio<br></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Sarah Sisser </b><font color="#000000" style="">Executive Director & CEO, CreativeOhio </font><span style="font-family:"Google Sans",Roboto,RobotoDraft,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px"><b><a href="mailto:sarah@creativeoh.org">sarah@creativeoh.org</a></b></span></p></div></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small;font-family:arial"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>