Representative Callender Recognized for Continued Support of the Arts
COLUMBUS – Today, at the Assembly for the Arts annual Public Officials Recognition Breakfast, Representative Jamie Callender (R-Concord) joined State Senator Kent Smith (D- Euclid) in being recognized as the 2025 Assembly for the Arts honorees. This honor comes as the result of Representative Callender’s decades of support for arts and cultural institutions across not only Greater Cleveland, but throughout Ohio and the nation. Past honorees include former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, former State Senator Matt Dolan, and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.
The Assembly for the Arts started in 2017 with the goal of increasing visibility and support for arts and cultural organizations across Greater Cleveland. Additionally, the Assembly aims to expand access to the arts and arts education to ensure future generations can experience world class music, theater, and art in Northeast Ohio. Beginning in 2021, the Assembly for the Arts began hosting its annual Public Officials Recognition Breakfast to bring together arts-minded community members and highlight the efforts of state, federal, and local leaders to support the arts in Northeast Ohio.
“The Assembly for the Arts is honored to give special recognition to Representative Callender for his unyielding leadership and commitment to our vibrant arts and culture community,” said Jeremy Johnson, President & CEO, Cuyahoga Assembly for Arts. “He consistently turns that commitment into positive actions which benefit Northeast Ohio.”
Representative Callender has been an advocate for the arts during his 15 years in the Ohio House (1997-2004, 2019-present) as well as in his personal life. Along with Senator Smith, Representative Callender successfully lead efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to enact the ‘Save our Stages’ Act in Ohio, ensuring that Ohio’s performing arts venues would be able to survive the lockdowns and return to operation. Additionally, during his time away from the legislature, Representative Callender was involved with the passage of the Music Modernization Act in 2018 to update federal law to the practices of the digital age.
“I am humbled to be named an Assembly of the Arts 2025 honoree; I am even more gratified to do so alongside my friend and colleague Representative Callender. He and I have both attended artistic happenings in Columbus and NE Ohio together, but we have also joined forces to keep Ohio’s creative economy strong and vibrant. Perhaps our most notable shared success was the introduction of House Bill 785 in November of 2020 to provide a financial lifeline to 150 independent music venues across the state during the COVID pandemic,” said Senator Smith. “The often-overlooked reality is that the music industry is a huge, billion dollar industry, but the commercial interface between fan and artist are these community landmarks that are part economic engine and part community landmark and part neighborhood party palace. These venues are as beloved as Ohio’s creative arts economy. I am happy to fight for them in Columbus and I enjoy that fight a lot more when I am able to partner with Rep. Callender along the way.”
Alongside these efforts, Representative Callender has been successful in advocating for hundreds of millions of dollars in state funds for arts around Northeast Ohio as part of the state’s budgeting process. This includes direct programmatic grants thought the state’s main operating budget, capital improvement funding through the state’s capital budget, and by ensuring the Ohio Arts Council continues to receive state funding to compliment federal funding.
“Northeast Ohio is home to multiple, world renowned institutions of performing, visual, and musical arts,” said Callender. “These institutions provide more than just entertainment; they are a beacon for younger generations to find their passion for the arts whether it be in the audience or on stage. Though our efforts, we can ensure the next generation of actors, musicians, and artists find a home in Greater Cleveland.”
In addition to Representative Callender and Senator Smith, multiple federal, state, and local officials attended this morning’s breakfast to show their support for the arts in Greater Cleveland and the mission of the Assembly for the Arts.