Stories that matter: performance and patriotism

Cleveland Play House received a $4.21M Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the Arts in Education program (CFDA 84.351) for the initiative "Stories That Matter: Performance and Patriotism," effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The award funds expanded theater arts education programming delivered through after-school and summer programs targeting pre-K through grade 12 students, including disadvantaged and disabled populations in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

The grant supports three primary service components: delivery of theater arts education programming through after-school and summer offerings, professional development for arts educators and teachers to enhance instructional capacity, and development of accessible instructional materials to support arts-based learning. This award builds on Cleveland Play House's prior Arts in Education grant experience and aligns with the federal program's objective to strengthen arts education outcomes and expand partnerships between schools and cultural institutions.