FRONT on the Move!

May. 27, 2022

FRONT on the Move!

We are seven weeks out from our opening in July and we’ve been working with artists and our partner venues to bring exhibitions and installations to life at nearly thirty sites across the region. We’ve also been developing initiatives and raising awareness about our mission to support creative and economic growth and to invest in Cleveland’s cultural future. Keep scrolling for some fun images of FRONT on the move in Cleveland, New York, Chicago, and Akron and check out our calendar to catch us at future events and programs!

FRONT in Cleveland:

We gathered at moCa Cleveland a few weeks ago to celebrate our partners and artists and to announce some exciting new initiatives. Executive Director Fred Bidwell previewed a major new mural project by Julie Mehretu and Director of Artistic and Community Initiatives Deidre McPherson announced the FRONT Art Futures Fellowship for emerging Northeast Ohio-based Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian American, and Pacific Islander visual artists. This new $25,000 Fellowship will be awarded on a three-year cycle to three recipients, who will be announced in June and honored at the FRONT Opening in July.

L: FRONT Director of Artistic and Community Initiatives Deidre McPherson. R: FRONT at moCa Cleveland. Photos by McKinley Wiley.“

I am excited and honored to spearhead this initiative on behalf of FRONT,” said Deidre McPherson. “We want to help increase visibility and representation of visual artists of color to help our region's arts ecosystem be more reflective of its diversity.” The FRONT Art Futures Fellowship is made possible with a generous grant from the Cleveland Foundation.

FRONT in New York City:

Also in March, FRONT was jazzed to announce our 2022 artist list in New York City! Executive Director Fred Bidwell, Artistic Director Prem Krishnamurthy, and FRONT Board Member Michelle Jeschelnig (and her daughter Lindsey!) all made remarks welcoming our artists, friends, and members of the press. A special shout-out to Busy B Bakery in Kent, Ohio for baking neon FRONT cookies for our guests!

L: FRONT 2022 Artist Reneé Green with FRONT Deputy Director and Director of Exhibitions Sarah Spinner Liska. R: SPACES Executive Director Tizziana Baldenebro, FRONT Deputy Director and Director of Exhibitions Sarah Spinner Liska, FRONT Board Member Michelle Jeschelnig and her daughters Lindsey and Elise. Photos by Billy Delfs.

FRONT in Chicago:

FRONT was also thrilled to be part of EXPO CHICAGO 2022. At our booth at Navy Pier, we exhibited artworks by Kameelah Janan Rasheed, Loraine Lynn, Tony Cokes, and Dansbana!, offering a sneak peak at what’s to come this summer!

L: EXPO CHICAGO 2022 at Navy Pier. M: FRONT 2022 Artist Loraine Lynn. Photo by Justin Barbin. Image courtesy of EXPO CHICAGO. R: FRONT booth at EXPO CHICAGO.


At EXPO, FRONT also presented aprogram featuring Artistic Director Prem Krishnamurthy, in conversation with Kameelah Janan Rasheed and Sarah Oppenheimer. The panel explored the limits of the modern paradigm of the “artist” and was presented in partnership with EXPO Chicago, the Joyce Foundation, and Pigment.

FRONT in Akron:

And just last weekend, FRONT was in Akron celebrating Curated Storefront at their Grits to Glam party in Quaker Square. We’re thrilled to partner with Curated Storefront, an organization transforming Akron into a dynamic urban destination through the arts, at this summer’s Triennial!

L: Curated Storefront 'Grits to Glam' party at Quaker Square, Akron. M: FRONT merch. R: Curated Storefront Executive Director & FRONT Board Member Rick Rogers with FRONT Executive Director Fred Bidwell.

Hope to see you around town! If you have an arts + culture event you’d like to share with us, please fill out this form for inclusion on the FRONT calendar on our website. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

The FRONT Team