Northeast Ohio is finally emerging from a dreary winter, welcoming warmer temperatures and sunny skies. With spring comes summer program planning, and young Northeast Ohio residents will have no shortage of options this year.

Funding from  Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, one of the largest local public funders for arts and culture in the nation, is bolstering summertime offerings from well-known institutions like the Great Lakes Science Center, as well as smaller, yet equally vital community organizations.

The summer 2025 program offerings meld the arts with science and technology training—equipping young participants with skills for promising careers, says CAC executive director Jill Paulsen.

“Summer arts and science camps give kids a chance to express themselves creatively, learn about different cultures, and develop their talents,” says Paulsen. “Through hands-on experiences in arts and crafts, music, and drama, Cuyahoga County children can explore, build confidence, and have fun. We are proud to help support these summer camps through our Project Support grant program.”

A powerful combination

Euclid-based Henry Johnson Center, with a mission to empower disadvantaged populations through education and social services, received $3,760 in CAC project support for its Arts Meets Tech summer camp, which exposes underserved youth to potentially lucrative arts careers. Aimed at Cleveland Metropolitan School District high-schoolers, the program offers workshops, training, and mentoring over its four-week session.

While enrolled at Art Meets Tech, students gain inspiration and career knowledge from guest speakers who are adept in 3D printing, AI-based art, video games, and digital technology, notes Henry Johnson Center director Angela Isom.

Art Meets Tech at Henry Johnson Center“It’s hard to hold the attention of today’s youth with so many distractions, but this is a crucial time for them,” says Isom, whose center provides training and counseling services to disadvantaged Cleveland families. “You want to expose these students to interesting career choices. They may already be into gaming and technology, but don’t realize that they could do so much with these skills.”

Art Meets Tech is not solely about preparing for future careers, notes Isom, noting that the curriculum is designed to be fun and interesting to the students.

Besides dispelling the myth that artists live hand-to-mouth, the camp serves as a pleasant reminder of life's joys. As a teen, Isom says she found solace and strength in poetry after leaving an abusive relationship.

“Art should be a reminder [to youth] during their low periods,” Isom says. “I had an art program that kept me out of trouble, because it was a reminder for me to stay on track.”

Understanding the possible

The sounds of music, poetry, and theater will create a warmhearted atmosphere during this year’s Literacy Through the Arts Summer Academy, hosted by Jones Road Family Development Corporation and funded through a $16,630 project support grant.

Learning to play instruments at Literacy Through the Arts Summer AcademyThe six-week program serves youth ages six through 18 via the visual arts, dance, band, and orchestra—culminating in a free public concert at the end of summer. Professional teachers provide instruction, and Jones Road executive director Ione Parry says this programming does more than give kids a valuable social outlet.

“They’re building self-esteem and character development,” Parry says. “That helps them be better people as they grow. I had a mom who was crying at the last concert, because she couldn’t believe what the program was doing for her child.”

Paid student tutors provide assistance with homework, music, and arts activities at Central Catholic High School, which hosts Literacy Through the Arts. Elementary-aged children have opportunities to learn to play the recorder and bucket drums, while lessons in the violin and wind instruments are reserved for older students.

Parry says the academy acts as inspiration for young people who don’t realize that a career in the arts is possible.

“It’s about giving them lots of choices as far as the arts are concerned, so they can figure out what they excel in,” she explains. “We also want them to excel at being good citizens, because learning the right attitudes is just as important as playing an instrument or drawing a picture.”

Natural inspiration

Art in the Park, funded through a 3,760 CAC project support grant, is a popular yearly program in Brooklyn Heights that offers children aged five to 12 a mix of fun and learning through crafts, field trips, and sports.

Always fun activities at Art in the ParkThe eight-week camp is held in the Village Park, barring rainy days when programming is moved indoors.

A natural setting acts as inspiration for creative expression, whether its acrylic painting or blowing foam bubbles. Partner organizations like Beck Center for the Arts educate campers and broaden their cultural horizons.

“Last year, we did crafts based on Asian culture,” says Thea Guilfoyle, director of community services with Brooklyn Heights. “That means a lot of the kids are doing something they otherwise wouldn’t. They’re learning teamwork and cooperation, too, but we like to show them a variety of cultures as well.”

All activities are offered free of charge, with CAC funding going to staff and supervisors. Ultimately, Art in the Park aligns with CAC’s larger mission of strengthening the region through arts and culture, Guilfoyle says.

“We’re using the arts to connect and empower kids, with an emphasis on community and cultural exchange,” she says.