About the Open Call

The Discipline Prizes highlight significant contributions to the cultural landscape of Northeast Ohio. Awards are presented in categories including Visual Art, Literature, Music, Design, and Theater and Dance. Winners are selected via a jury process consisting of artists, community leaders, and past winners. The prize aims to support and elevate the region's vibrant artistic community across various career stages, from emerging talent to lifetime achievement.

What is Offered

An unrestricted prize of $10,000, distributed in December of the winning year.

Requirements

Applicants must be living artists connected to Northeast Ohio. Candidates must demonstrate a body of original work that exemplfies the highest level of artistic excellence, mastery of skills, and continuity between artist statement and work. Specific criteria for recognition (regional, national, or international) vary based on the career level applied for.

How to Apply

Artists can apply directly via the Cleveland Arts Prize Submittable portal (https://clevelandartsprize.submittable.com/submit) starting March 1, 2026. Alternatively, artists can be nominated between now and April 1, 2026, after which they will be invited to complete an application.