Upcoming events.
CALL FOR CREATORS (Youth Ages 14-19)
Calling All Creative Teens!
Show Your Art. Share Your Voice. Join the Youth Arts Fest.
APPLY HERE: https://9lkqf6k7.paperform.co/
Are you an artist, performer, or creator between 14 and 19 years old? Do you paint, dance, design, sing, write poetry, or make something totally your own? This is your moment.
The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) invites you to apply for the Youth Arts Fest — a youth-led celebration of creativity, performance, and entrepreneurship happening Saturday, December 6, from 3–6 PM at Disciples Christian Church in Cleveland Heights.
What Is the Youth Arts Fest?
The Youth Arts Fest is run by youth, for youth.
It’s organized entirely by high school apprentices in CAL’s ArtWorks program — from curating the art to producing the event.
You can apply to:
Display your artwork in a youth-curated gallery
Perform live on stage
Sell your creations at the youth art marketplace
It’s your chance to share what you create, meet other young artists, and get your work seen by the community.
Event Details
Date: Friday, December 6, 2025
Time: 3:00–6:00 PM
Location: Disciples Christian Church, Cleveland Heights
Cost to Participate
Free to apply
Free to perform or display art if selected
$20 fee only if selected to vend (to reserve your vendor table)
If you’re vending, you’ll bring your own setup and handle your own payments (cash, Venmo, etc.). CAL will not handle sales.
What Can You Submit?
We welcome all creative forms, including but not limited to:
Visual art (painting, drawing, photography, digital, mixed media, sculpture)
Fashion design
Spoken word or poetry
Music (any genre, solo or group)
Dance or movement
Theater or performance art
Film or animation
Handmade goods, prints, or other original products
Spread the Word
Know another creative teen? Encourage them to apply!
Share this opportunity with your friends, teachers, or community groups, and help us fill the space with youth creativity from across Northeast Ohio. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Northeast Ohio’s biggest youth arts celebration.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: November 6 at 11:59 PM.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance around November 19 with setup details.
APPLY HERE: https://9lkqf6k7.paperform.co/
Please read all instructions on form before applying!
ArtWorks Live! - YOUTH ARTS FEST
Celebrate the Creativity and Leadership of Northeast Ohio’s Youth Artists
Event is free and open to all ages
Celebrate the creativity of young artists from across Northeast Ohio at the Youth Arts Fest — a free, youth-led event featuring art, performance, hands-on activities, and entrepreneurship.
Every part of the event is planned and produced by high school apprentices in the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning’s ArtWorks program. Over eight weeks, these apprentices have been learning event management, logistics, budgeting, communication, and curation, gaining real-world experience while shaping every detail of the event.
What You’ll Experience
Youth-Curated Art Gallery
Performance Showcase
Youth Art Marketplace
Make & Take Art Station
Face Painting
Light Snacks & Refreshments
Opportunities to Donate to Support CAL’s ArtWorks Program
Why It’s Special
The Youth Arts Fest isn’t just about showcasing art, it’s about developing young leaders. CAL’s ArtWorks apprentices are behind the scenes managing every part of the event: coordinating artists, designing the space, handling budgets, and bringing their creative vision to life.
Come experience the creativity, talent, and leadership of the next generation of artists, performers, and entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio.
Interested in showcasing or selling your work at this event?
Submissions are open now through November 6 for local youth ages 14 to 19 to apply to show artwork, perform, or vend creative goods at the Fest.
Apply here: https://9lkqf6k7.paperform.co/
Deadline to submit: November 6 @ 11:59 PM
Please read all instructions on form before applying!
ArtWorks Live! - Mural Unveiling + Youth Storytelling Experience
Join the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) and GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland for a powerful evening celebrating youth creativity, community storytelling, and the voices of individuals that GiGi’s serves.
Through CAL’s ArtWorks program, twenty high school apprentices learning visual arts and recording arts have spent the summer collaborating with the GiGi’s community to design and paint a permanent mural and produce a multimedia storytelling campaign. The project honors the lived experiences of GiGi’s participants, families, volunteers, and staff while highlighting the role of the arts in fostering inclusion and shared understanding.
At this culminating celebration, guests are invited to experience the unveiling of the mural and listen to excerpts from a youth-produced podcast that brings these stories to life.
Come connect with the youth apprentices, their professional teaching artists, and the GiGi’s Playhouse community as we celebrate the power of art to elevate youth voice, honor community stories, and connect communities.
This event is free and open to the public.
🎶 Play It Forward!® cleveland Instrument Drive 🎶
Help empower Cleveland youth through music!
Our 2025 Instrument Drive kicks off May 24—and we’re calling on the community to help us put instruments into the hands of local students. By donating a gently used instrument, you support free music lessons for 3rd–12th grade youth through our Inspiration Through Music program.
We are accepting:
Acoustic Guitars
Drums
Keyboards (not pianos)
Violins
Collection Events Begin May 24
May 24, 2025 | Trinity Cathedral (3 PM – 5 PM)
June 28, 2025 | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – Fam Jam (10 AM – 2 PM)
July 9, 2025 | Wade Oval Wednesday (5:30 PM – 8:30 PM)
May 24 – July 9, 2025 | Center for Arts-Inspired Learning Office
(Tues–Fri, 9 AM – 5 PM)
If you’re interested in donating, please click the button below to visit our Instrument Drive page, fill out the donation form, and select your preferred drop-off location.
Thank you for helping us share the music—and the legacy!
Inspiration Through Music Final Showcase 2025
Join us for performances by talented 3rd-12th grade youth, featuring the guitar, violin, percussion, and keyboard/voice!
Immerse yourself in an unforgettable showcase featuring the extraordinary talents of 3rd-12th grade youth! Join us at Trinity Cathedral for mesmerizing performances highlighting guitar, violin, percussion, and keyboard/voice.
As a fun addition, participants who’ve graced our program for two or more sessions will be presented with the gift of choice—an instrument to continue nurturing their musical passion and artistic excellence!
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church, 2230 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115
Parking: Available at Trinity Cathedral’s lot and nearby parking garages.
Don’t miss this chance to witness the future stars of the musical world shine bright! Mark your calendar and join us for an afternoon of pure musical enchantment.
This event is free and open to the public.
ArtWorks Live!
Join us for an exciting evening celebrating the creativity and hard work of our ArtWorks apprentices as they showcase what they’ve been working on this spring in our co-ops: Songwriting/Recording Arts, Photography, Mixed-Media, and Upcycling.
Enjoy:
🎤 Live performances
🎨 A youth-curated art gallery
🛍️ The ArtWorks Marketplace—shop one-of-a-kind pieces made by the apprentices
🖼️ Full access to all moCa exhibits
This is our second year hosting our spring ArtWorks Live! at moCa, and we’re so grateful to partner with such an iconic space where youth voices and creativity can truly shine.
Don’t miss the chance to support and celebrate the next generation of artists!
Give & Groove: Line Dancing Fundraiser
Join us for a Fun & Inspiring Line-Dancing Fundraiser!
Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | $15 per ticket
Get ready to have a blast while supporting arts education for local youth! Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a first-timer, this all-skill-levels line-dancing class is your chance to groove, connect with the community, and make a difference.
Your Experience Includes:
Instruction from Ron'Dale Simpson, Blakk Jakk Dance Collective LLC
Network with arts supporters while exploring the vibrant CentroVilla25 space and local vendors
Learn about CAL's mission to provide arts education for youth in Northeast Ohio, with opportunities to contribute to the cause
Food & beverages available for purchase from local vendors
Free parking available onsite.
All ticket sales and donations support CAL's mission to bring arts education to local youth!
ArtWorks Live!
ArtWorks Live! is the culminating event of our ArtWorks program, showcasing the incredible creations of our 40 teen apprentices. This interactive experience not only highlights their artistic talents but also encourages an entrepreneurial mindset through a student market featuring a diverse range of student artwork and creations.
CAL-IDAY ARTS FEST
Showcasing the artistic diversity of youth across Northeast Ohio!
The CAL-iday Arts Fest is a vibrant one-day event celebrating our partnership with Cleveland Public Library through captivating drumming performances by youth in CPL’s Drumming Program, led by Teaching Artist Malik Burks. These dynamic performances, paired with spoken word poetry from Langston Hughes, Tupac Shakur, and Maya Angelou, highlight the creativity and talent of young artists from across Northeast Ohio.
In addition to these performances, the event features the ArtWorks Marketplace, where youth entrepreneurs will showcase and sell their handmade creations. Attendees can also engage in our Open Mic, offering a platform for community involvement and artistic expression.
The CAL-iday Arts Fest embodies the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning’s mission to inspire creativity, teach entrepreneurship, and foster collaboration and civic engagement. Stay tuned for more exciting activities!
There are on-street parking meters available on East 6th between St. Clair and Superior (including designated handicapped spaces) and nearby paid parking garages.
Artful Literacy Professional Development Workshop
This 2- hour professional development workshop merges the structure of the science of reading with the creative power of arts-integrated learning. This innovative approach aims to equip educators with effective strategies that enhance literacy skills through both performance and visual arts. By integrating these disciplines, we empower teachers to engage students deeply while fostering literacy proficiency in diverse and exciting ways.
This workshop is perfect for classroom teachers and teaching artists who teach K-8.
Artful Literacy Professional Development Workshop
This 2- hour professional development workshop merges the structure of the science of reading with the creative power of arts-integrated learning. This innovative approach aims to equip educators with effective strategies that enhance literacy skills through both performance and visual arts. By integrating these disciplines, we empower teachers to engage students deeply while fostering literacy proficiency in diverse and exciting ways.
This workshop is perfect for classroom teachers and teaching artists who teach K-8.