Creative Investment Program
The Creative Investment Program (CIP), presented by ArtsNow with support from the Ian Patrick Schwarber Foundation, provides grants of up to $2,500 to Summit County artists and creatives to invest in their professional growth.
CIP invests directly in people- supporting training, learning opportunities, and experiences that help artists advance their work and contribute to a resilient, thriving creative ecosystem across Summit County.
September 1, 2026, 12:01 a.m. – Application opens
September 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. – Application closes
Early November – Applicants notified
Creative Investment Program
Recipients by year
2025 Recipients
Applications
Applications close September 13, 2026
at 11:59PM
Program Overview
Eligible participants can use grant funds, up to $2,500, to cover various professional development expenses, including:
- Budget Development Courses: Tailored for entrepreneurs and creative small business owners.
- Leadership Development Programs: Designed to enhance leadership skills within the creative sector.
- Classes and Workshops: To expand knowledge in specific content areas or craft.
- Professional Conferences: Relevant to the artist’s or creative’s field.
These grants are designed to support professional artists and creatives who are seeking resources to advance their careers and strengthen their practice. By investing in skill-building and development opportunities, the program helps ensure that Summit County’s creative community has the tools, knowledge, and support needed to grow and thrive.
Grants can be applied towards memberships, courses, and certifications such as:
Examples of Eligible Memberships and Events:
- Akron Black Artist Guild
- MORTAR at Bounce Innovation Hub
- Summit Artspace: Artist Launchpad
- Torchbearers
- Artist Communities Alliance
- National Art Education Association Annual Conference
- Arts Impact Ohio Conference
Examples of Eligible Certifications:
- Google Project Management Certification
- Adobe Animate Certification
- Adobe CC Design Tools: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
- Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
About the Ian Patrick Schwarber Foundation
The Ian Patrick Schwarber Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that is founded on the principles that Ian Schwarber lived his life. We are left here to honor those principles through not only his own words but through our actions. We are a dedicated group of individuals that will look to make Ian’s voice heard through not only his family but the community he so loved. We are committed to creating a portal in which people can network, donate, and sponsor projects in our community in the way Ian would have done.