Purpose: The COSE Arts Business and Innovation Awards recognize a unique point of intersection between the art and business worlds, one where artists focus on business issues and small business owners focus on the arts. Both artists and non-artist entities are eligible for the COSE Arts Business and Innovation Awards. In the two “Artist” categories (see Categories below for full description) awards are given in recognition of an artist, artists’ group, or arts-based businesses’ demonstrated attention to business functions. In the “Business” category awards are given in recognition of creative partnerships and support of the Northeast Ohio arts community, including individual artist-entrepreneurs and arts organizations.

The Council of Smaller Enterprises serves as a resource for small businesses in Northeast Ohio, which offers services to help our members maintain their independence. Both small businesses and artists are independent thinkers who work tirelessly to pursue their passions, often with no safety net or guarantee for success. The COSE Arts Business and Innovation Awards seek to recognize the entrepreneurial and creative steps taken by both artists and small businesses.

Categories: Five (5) finalists will be chosen for each of the three (3) following categories, and three (3) top winners will be chosen (one from each category).

• The Artist: an artist, artist group, or arts-based business that has achieved some level of success through the use of sound business practice and planning.
• Shared award between COSE and the Cleveland Arts Prize: an individual artist who has been a past winner of the Cleveland Arts Prize. This award is for an artist who has been successful both due to the quality of their artistic work and the steps they have taken to create a sustainable career in the arts.
• The Business: a small business (non arts- based) that has invested time and resources into creative partnerships with the arts for the benefit both the arts entity and their own company.

Awards:

• The Artist and Shared Award applicants are competing for $3000, a choice of two (2) avenues of free business support (website development, marketing, business advising, accounting, space), a free year of COSE membership, an exhibit, show, or presentation (depending on the artistic medium) in the new Positively Cleveland Visitors’ Center on Public Square and an article in the COSE Update.
• The Business will be awarded a piece of original artwork created by glass artist Renee Culler and poet Kate Daley, a free year of COSE membership, an exhibit or presentation in the new Positively Cleveland Visitors’ Center on Public Square, and an article in the COSE Update.
• All finalists will be awarded small pieces of artwork created by Renee Culler and Kate Daley

Important Dates:

• Nomination forms due by January 30, 2008.
• Completed applications due by March 1, 2008 Update – application has been extended to Friday March 15, 2008
• Finalists notified by May 5, 2008
• Awards presented at event on May 15 2008

How to apply:
Artists and businesses may either apply directly or nominate someone else for the awards. Self applications are welcome through March 1st. Nominations must be received by January 30th. In addition to filling out a questionnaire, applicants will be asked to submit supplemental materials. Nomination and application forms are available online at http://www.cosearts.org/awards.