Business Development Specialist Job Posting

Northeast Shores is the local community development corporation that creates a better North Shore Collinwood for everyone to live, work, and visit. We are proud to serve this mixed income, mixed race neighborhood located on the shores of Lake Erie. We are a non-profit organization that increases homeownership in the neighborhood and helps entrepreneurs bring their business ideas to market. Over the last 10 years, our activities have resulted in over $44 million in neighborhood investment.

Northeast Shores is seeking a Business Development Specialist who will develop beneficial relationships with existing neighborhood businesses and recruit new businesses to locate in the neighborhood.

The Business Development Specialist will

1. Contact existing businesses via telephone and own vehicle on a continuous basis to promote neighborhood connections.
2. Promote availability of vacant space to new businesses through cold calling, setting appointments, personal contact and site visits.
3. Direct and perform analysis on potential new businesses and budding entrepreneurs.
4. Develop various initiatives to improve entrepreneurial opportunities.
5. Maintain property owner relations through setting appointments and servicing property owners via telephone, correspondence and personal contact.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree (B.A. / B.S.) from a four-year college or university; and less than one year related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. The successful candidate must have access to a personal vehicle.

This position is a full-time salaried position with benefits. The annual salary for this position is $30,000 to $34,000 depending on qualifications. This position is exempt from overtime compensation.

If you are interested in becoming part of a high performing, mission based nonprofit organization, please forward a resume and cover letter by December 27 to Brian Friedman, Northeast Shores, 317 East 156^th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44110, or email to bfriedman@northeastshores.org. Fax number is 216-481-7660. No phone calls please.

Collinwood Rising - December

When our organization started developing models for artist housing several years ago, we were operating from two basic premises: that artists without an ownership stake are all too often financially pushed out of communities by the positive change they help make; and that vacant properties, when left unchecked, have a huge, detrimental effect on community psychology. If we could help artists purchase extraordinarily affordable, structurally sound but currently vacant houses and storefronts, we realized, we could address both issues in a meaningful way.

It was a simple concept. But as we reflect on how that work has unfolded, we are struck by just how transformative that one idea has become.

Over the past two years, ArtPlace’s investment in the intersection between artist service and reimagining vacant space in Collinwood have exploded into a wide variety of community-driven changes. A new floor is installed in a start-up dance studio in a formerly vacant storefront. A neighborhood artist launches a series of family-friendly movie screenings in vacant lots around our arts district. An art student converts a little-used side yard into a popular new sculpture garden. Artists, from around the corner and around the world, put up 17 murals in a matter of months, many on vacant buildings. An artist converts a vacant house into a new work/live facility focused on installation art. Constructions bids go out for a new ceramics co-op taking over a vacant storefront and industrial garage. Vacant offices turn into rehearsal space for the many bands associated with the Beachland Ballroom.

And on and on and on. We have seen an incredible amount of activity within a short timeframe –with the build-out of vacant space, space ownership for 11 artists and the launch of 36 different community art projects. Individually, any one of these projects might not have much of a ripple in a big neighborhood. But together, they are changing the entire narrative about what makes the Collinwood neighborhood unique, why its future looks bright … Why it is a place of value.

That’s been our ArtPlace experience. This whole whirlwind experience was not always easy; we definitely didn’t suffer from too much down time! It’s taken the simple work that we’ve been engaging in for years and given an even bigger and more profound role to the individual decision maker and the grassroots leader. ArtPlace has enabled our neighborhood stakeholders to reimagine a place they love … And then to see that collective imagination spring to life in real time.

So as we wind to the unfortunate end of our amazing year with ArtPlace, we’re excited to roll up our sleeves and keep that energy and that sense of empowerment alive. Thanks to additional support from The Kresge Foundation, 2014 promises to be a year of even more vacant housing and storefront conversions, the launch of dozens of new artist-led projects … And our first foray into artist live-work apartments.

As we continue in these efforts, we’re going to continue to reach out to our ArtPlace family for advice and inspiration. That’s been our big take-away from the experience – as busy as you get in your placemaking efforts, make sure to take advantage of all the genius in the room! We’ve still got goose bumps about the great work of ArtPlace colleagues like Springboard for the Arts, Power House Productions, City of Asylum and the Wormfarm Institute. These and other voices will continue to touch our approach to placemaking for years and years to come. So don’t be strangers. Let us know how we can help, how we can get engaged with your efforts, how we can continue to make towns and cities across the country vibrant, creative and authentic places.

Northeast Shores Lands $1 Million Dollar Grant for Waterloo Arts District

September 25, 2013- (CLEVELAND, OH) – Exciting times are upon the Waterloo Arts and Entertainment District, with a new streestcape beautification project underway, and a surge of artists moving into the area, the neighborhood is currently undergoing a transformation. But with any transformation comes construction. To keep business flowing as usual and celebrate the neighborhood’s recent growth, The Kresge Foundation has chosen Collinwood’s Northeastast Shores Development Corporation to be a recipient of a 1 million dollar grant that will keep the community flourishing during the year-long transformation.

“We are beyond thrilled to have received this grant. With it, our goal is to add even more art-placed businesses and maintain neighborhood vibrancy during the construction period,” said Brian Friedman, Executive Director of Northeast Shores Development Corp. “We saw what happened with a lot of businesses during Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue construction project. A lot of them were highly affected in a negative way because construction deterred people from coming into the area. With this grant, we hope to create the opposite effect,” continued Friedman.

So, how exactly does the non-profit organization plan to do that? With a portion of the 1 million dollar grant, Northeast Shores will be working to host a variety of one-day events at existing businesses located around the area. This may include pop up concerts, community-gathering events, networking opportunities, dinners and more. The possibilities are endless and will be determined by the existing independent businesses currently open.

“How it works, area businesses apply to receive a portion of the grant to host an event at their location. This includes what they want to do and how they plan to utilize the funds. We then will review the project applications and then promote those events to encourage visitation to the community,” continued Friedman. “It’s our goal that by continuing to bring people into the neighborhood with exciting events and opportunities that the district will continue to grow, rather than take a year long hiatus during the construction.”

In addition to providing a variety of district-wide events, the majority of the new grant will help create a ceramics co-op studio, further develop artists’ live-work spaces in the neighborhood, and convert former foreclosed homes into new homes for artists and musicians.

The Kresge Foundation award builds on other placemaking activities that Northeast Shores has conducted recently. The Kresge Foundation is also a funder of ArtPlace, which is an association of funders. Northeast Shores previously received a $500,000 grant from ArtPlace to support its efforts to engage artists around issues of vacancy.

“At The Kresge Foundation, we are very much looking forward to playing a role in the Waterloo/Collinwood grant program called Collinwood Rising. We love the idea of creating a neighborhood that is built on the foundation of fantastic artisans and musicians,” said Regina Smith, Program Director. “The idea of using the grant funds to offer living spaces, working studios and events that keep the entire community involved during a transitional period, was something that really appealed to us and what we stand for as a foundation.”

In the coming months from October 2013 to June 2014, a variety of events and announcements will be coming out of the Waterloo Arts and Entertainment District. “We are very much looking forward to sharing with the greater Cleveland community all the exciting events that our neighborhood has to offer,” said Friedman. “Stay tuned!”

For more information on Collinwood, please visit www.welcometocollinwood.com. For more information on Northeast Shores Development Corporation, please visit www.northeastshores.com. To learn more about The Kresge Foundation, please visit www.kresge.org.

To arrange media interviews or for hi-res photography, please contact Becki Cooper at Becki@RebeccaAdele.com or via phone at 440-227-8794.

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ABOUT COLLINWOOD
Collinwood’s Waterloo Arts and Entertainment District is a regional destination, bringing in tons of visitors to the neighborhood. The district is home to an eclectic mix of Indie music venues and art galleries, the perfect place for artists young and old to launch their career or expand their practice. All of this sits just blocks away from miles of lakefront parks and streets lined with trees and large-historic houses.

ABOUT NORTHEAST SHORES DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Northeast Shores is the local community development corporation that creates a better North Shore Collinwood for everyone to live, work, and visit. We are proud to serve this mixed income, mixed race neighborhood located on the shores of Lake Erie. The organization is a non-profit that increases homeownership in the neighborhood and helps entrepreneurs bring their business ideas to the market. Over the last 10 years, the organizations’ activities have resulted in over $42 million in neighborhood investment.

ABOUT THE KRESGE FOUNDATION
The Kresge Foundation is a $3 billion private, national foundation headquartered in Metropolitan Detroit, in the suburb community of Troy, that works to expand opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, community development and our place-based efforts in Detroit. In 2012, the Board of Trustees approved 410 awards totaling $130.5 million; the $150.3 million was paid out to grantees over the course of the year.

Welcome weekend changes perceptions and wows visiting artists

Psst!  Did you ever have a secret that you just couldn’t keep to yourself and wanted to tell everybody?  Well, so do we! Some of you, of course, already know the awesome secret….that our city has a thriving arts scene and wonderful opportunities for artists. Thanks to the fun filled and impressive Welcome to Cleveland Weekend….it’s not a secret anymore.

From August 1st through August 4th, attendees from around the nation had the chance to come together and celebrate what both Collinwood and Cleveland has to offer them … and all at a ridiculously low cost! Hotel accommodations, ground transportation and meals were included along with opportunities to check out some of Cleveland’s most artist-friendly neighborhoods. To add to the experience, they were able to meet and network with a wide range of fellow creative spirits that lended their voices and insight to what makes our city such a great place to live, work and play.

The much anticipated event was co-hosted by Northeast Shores Development Corporation and the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC); and was designed with out-of-town artists in mind who may be considering a move to Cleveland.  Our beautiful City was showcased along with opportunities that are available to artists that may not be attainable in places like New York City or Chicago.

Visitors enjoyed a 3 night stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel inside of the historic Arcade building downtown. Weekend highlights included guided tours of Cleveland’s premiere artist neighborhoods and institutions, behind the scenes access to some of Cleveland’s great cultural organizations, complementary daytime and evening arts programming, tours of houses and storefronts that are being targeted for artist ownership, and first hand experiences of Cleveland’s culinary scene.  The annual Euclid Beach Blast! also proved to be an awe inspiring treat to the Welcome to Cleveland attendees.  Great food from local eateries, live theater and music, dancing, prizes, giveaways and more….all while enjoying a beautiful view of Lake Erie….was another testament of how wonderful it is to live in the North Collinwood neighborhood.  A breathtaking sunset rounded out the evening and a fun time was had by all!  The weekend concluded with a delicious brunch at the Beachland Ballroom where guests enjoyed delectable food, networked with local artists, and shared their thoughts about their Cleveland experience.  The weekend getaway provided participants with an amazing up close and personal look into why our city truly rocks and is one of the top locations in the country for artists, musicians and creative entrepreneurs!

Northeast Shores and CPAC are continuously working every day to get artists' access to space ownership, grants and loans ... and making sure that artists get a chance to play a big role in neighborhood revitalization.  Find out about all sorts of artist resources unique to Cleveland and how they're helping artists pursue their dreams by visiting www.welcometocollinwood.com.

WCPN Interview

Last week, David C. Barnett of WCPN (90.3 FM) interviewed our Executive Director, Brian A. Friedman. The interview focused on our efforts to attract artists to our housing in the North Shore Collinwood neighborhood. We are very proud to be interviewed and hope you check the story out at:
http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/55328

Help Wanted - Community Organizer

Community Organizer

Northeast Shores Development Corporation is one of Cleveland’s leading community development corporations. The organization has greatly contributed to the physical, economic and social development of the North Shore Collinwood area of Cleveland.  Northeast Shores is currently seeking a Community Organizer to manage all development project work.

In this role, you will be responsible for canvassing the neighborhood, talking with residents and other stakeholders, identifying potential leaders, and identifying issues which are in the common self-interest of community residents.  The Organizer moves people to action so they can win a visible victory or measurable change in their community.  In addition, the Organizer uses the process of organizing as an opportunity to develop the leadership skills of community residents.  The Organizer is expected to work several block groups or neighborhood-wide issues at any one time. A current neighborhood-wide issue under this role is implementing various community safety initiatives. 

Further, you will be responsible for the organization’s events organizing and community garden initiatives. In particular, the organization is currently implementing several events including, but not limited to, the Alive on East 185^th Parade and the Taste the Neighborhood fundraiser. It is a core responsibility of the Organizer to coordinate these community events. The Organizer is also responsible for coordinating our efforts to submit monthly articles to the neighborhood newsletter.

The successful candidate will have prior experience in non-profit community organizing, mediation, social work, or similar background.  Familiarity with volunteer coordination; project management skills; event planning; record keeping; proficiency with MS Office Suite; excellent verbal and written communication skills; conflict resolution skills; and the ability to use a personal vehicle with valid driver’s license and minimum property/casualty coverage on such vehicle are also critical to your success in this position.  The successful candidate must be available for neighborhood meetings and events that occur on evenings and some weekends. Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in non-profit management, urban studies, public administration or a related field is a plus. Familiarity with the North Shore Collinwood community a plus.

We offer a competitive salary, benefits package, and a supportive and dynamic work environment.  To apply, e-mail or mail your resume and salary requirements by August 21 to:

Brian A. Friedman

Executive Director

Northeast Shores Development Corporation

317 East 156^th Street

Cleveland, Ohio 44110

bfriedman@northeastshores.org

Help Wanted - Office Assistant

Office Assistant

Northeast Shores Development Corporation is one of Cleveland’s leading community development corporations. The organization is mission driven and has greatly contributed to the physical, economic and social development of the North Shores Collinwood area of Cleveland.  Northeast Shores is currently seeking a part-time Office Assistant to help staff and volunteers further our mission of improving this quality neighborhood.

In this role, you will assist the organization and help run various housing and commercial programs for the neighborhood. You will receive, screen, and route telephone calls. You will process and record payments made to accounts receivable and payable for accuracy and timeliness. You will review and provide feedback on draft correspondence and grant applications as well as ensure that all grant applications and correspondence are complete. The Office Assistant will update information regarding membership database and board reports. You will organize, order, and maintain office supplies, materials, publications, and applications.

The successful candidate will have working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, including CRM.  Familiarity with community development and/or the North Shore Collinwood community will be considered a plus.

The Office Assistant position is a 20-hour per week part-time hourly position. Applicants should apply if they are available to work four-hours per day from 10 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday.  To apply, e-mail or mail your resume by August 21 to:

  

Brian A. Friedman

Executive Director

Northeast Shores Development Corporation

317 East 156^th Street

Cleveland, Ohio 44110

bfriedman@northeastshores.org

Collinwood Rising - July

In our ongoing monthly series, ArtPlace asked Northeast Shores Executive Director, Brian A. Friedman, what suggestions do we have for the recent crop of grant recipients. Here are excerpts from that conversation:

Update
The creative spirit is becoming more prominent in North Collinwood and we couldn’t be more pleased! Continuous ingenuity within the community and the resulting comraderie that’s forming between residents is bringing about a wonderful change in the neighborhood.  From The Waterloo Arts Fest, art gallery installations, a new community sculpture garden and pocket park, our Walk all over Waterloo series  and prepping for our upcoming Welcome to Cleveland weekend, art is alive and definitely kicking up a fuss!

Recent Wins
1. Arts Collinwood (soon to be Waterloo Arts) hosted another successful Summer Arts Bash on June 29^th.  The Waterloo Arts Fest had a tremendous turnout.   Attendees were engaged throughout the day and participated in fun events while listening to tantalizing music from local bands that hailed from 5 stages.  Attractions included art vendors, street art installations, local food vendors,  giant puppets and stilt walkers, hula hoop dancing, painting workshops, chalk drawing for kids (and the young at heart), pony rides and more.  According to comments from several past attendees, this was the best festival yet. Stay tuned!

2. A local sculptor is working to transform a vacant house into an exciting new center for installation art. The home was secured by Northeast Shores and will feature the faces of the community pasted to an exterior plywood surface. The Xeroxed images of “community members at large” will be captured at neighborhood copy-jam parties at Collinwood events/venues that will encourage participation and feedback regarding the conception of “The Town Hall of Art” a soon-to-be interactive art space.

3. Waterloo's first park (Waterloo Sculpture Garden) has been completed. The garden will feature local professional artists, as well as regional artists, while still showcasing the sculpture departments of local universities.  In the same vein, our beautiful pocket park project has received favorable responses from our residents.  The small park features a walking path, radiant flowers, fruit trees, places to sit and play, and murals and sculptures from local artists. With the generous support of ArtPlace, the newly opened park will provide an outdoor space where neighborhood residents can intermingle and enjoy the good weather and natural beauty.

Insight
Northeast Shores remains dedicated to continuing our mission and goal of making our neighborhood one of the strongest artist communities in the country.  By joining forces with community leaders, business merchants, artists and residents; and incorporating artists into the community; and forming relationships with non-artists, political figures and law enforcement, we strive to improve the quality of life for residents while creating an enjoyable atmosphere/experience for visitors alike.

The key to success is acknowledging the value of insight that is contributed by the community as a whole. Building on and marketing assets, drawing upon strengths and continuing to seek out opportunities for funding is crucial to any non-profit organization.  In spite of economic pressures and the challenges of maintaining financial support, it is the responsibility of everyone to work, collectively, to address community issues…..with team work, anything is possible.

Celebrate Euclid Creek Restoration

Please join the Euclid Creek Watershed Program Project Partners as we celebrate the wetland and stream restoration at Wildwood Park!

When: Wednesday, July 10^th from 5:00pm-7:00pm

Where: Cleveland Metroparks Euclid Creek Reservation, Wildwood Park Picnic Pavilion

Euclid Creek Reservation-Wildwood Park is located at E. 174th Street and Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, 44110. Meet at the wooden Picnic Pavilion—over the bridge and to the right.

*  Project partners are hosting a public meeting and tour to celebrate the wetland and stream restoration project, the culmination of four years of work. 

*  Several speakers will briefly discuss the wetland and stream restoration project, followed by either a short hike or a ~1 mile walk around the site.  

*  Meet the project partners pivotal in making this project happen.

For more event details, call 216-524-6580x16

Collinwood Rising - May

In our ongoing monthly series, ArtPlace asked Northeast Shores Executive Director, Brian A. Friedman, what suggestions do we have for the recent crop of grant recipients. Here are excerpts from that conversation.

ArtPlace:  Now that you are all coming to the end of your ArtPlace grant periods take a moment to think over the past year. What advice would you give to the new grantees? How would you encourage new grantees to leverage their ArtPlace grants for maximum effect?

Friedman:  Bringing an array of great ideas to life due to ArtPlace funding has been a wonderful experience for us. The ArtPlace grant has been a wonderful opportunity for us to fund a whole lot of items that we never thought would ever be funded. Our projects counted on several partnerships to go well. Many of those partnerships existed prior to the ArtPlace award but were significantly impacted by the award. These partnerships were critical to our successes and we are VERY fortunate that professional bonds grew stronger as a result of the ArtPlace award. If these partnerships had not worked out, the last year could have gone very differently and very badly.

ArtPlace’s investment has helped bring together many different grassroots arts efforts to a common neighborhood revitalization table.  Organizations such as Arts Collinwood (street art mural projects); Cleveland Rocks: Past,Present and Future (music culture); Project Pop-up Galleries (utilizing vacant and underused space) and Saving Cities (community development through media) have been instrumental in making the neighborhood a unique place to visit. While we have always enjoyed a good partnership with these neighborhood leaders, ArtPlace has enabled us to work even more collaboratively in advancing the neighborhood we all love….and to take these efforts to extraordinary heights.

We really enjoy the analogy that ArtPlace prepares our efforts for potential “escape velocity”. As we near the end of the ArtPlace grant period, we are currently reviewing how high we have risen in this time and our absolute amazement in how transformative this award has been not only for the neighborhood but also for the capacity of the organization. Our current reality is significantly different and better than it would have been without ArtPlace. As such, we are envisioning organizational priorities and future projects that are far more considerable.

Other words of advice would be to continuously acknowledge successful projects and commend participants on jobs that are well done. Positive reinforcement is definitely a plus and will encourage grantees to complete projects in a timely manner, which works in your favor.  Encouraging feedback and following up with grantees can provide valuable information and can help you recognize successes and where there’s room for improvements in the future.  Last but not least, schedule PLENTY of time to work on the reporting process.  Maintaining records from the start of the grant period will result in less headaches when it's time to complete the reports.  Best of luck and congratulations to new and future ArtPlace grantees! Be prepared for blast-off!

Alive on East 185 - Fifth Year

On May 18, 2013 the East 185^th Street community will be hosting “Alive on East 185”, a family-friendly event featuring a parade beginning at 11:00 AM and a sidewalk sale/party immediately following, until 5 PM. There is no admission charge, and all are welcome to attend!

The parade will begin at Villaview and East 185^th (near Muldoon’s Saloon & Eatery) and will continue down East 185^th until it reaches Lakeshore Boulevard. The parade is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM.

Once the parade has ended, local merchants will set up a street-wide sidewalk sale/party, allowing everyone to enjoy what East 185^th St. has to offer. Alongside the merchants will be local groups and organizations providing information about their many activities and programs. There will also be an Inflatables area set up for the children to enjoy free of charge.

Please mark your calendar for May 18th, at 11:00 to join us for this street wide Celebration of the Community!

If your group or organization would like to participate in the parade or sidewalk party, please contact: Denise Lorek, Community Organizer for Northeast Shores at 216-481-7660 or dlorek@northeastshores.org

Best of Cleveland - Collinwood Edition

Admittedly a little belated, we want to congratulate all of our local winners in the 2013 Scene Best of Cleveland awards. Every year, it is great to pick up this issue of Scene and see who in the neighborhood is recognized for their ongoing awesomeness.

We apologize that this post did not happen closer to the publication date but we have been very busy. This year's winners include:

• Best Local Clothing Brand - CLE Clothing Company (which is also an owner of Native Cleveland on Waterloo)
• Best Brunch - Beachland Ballroom
• Best Music Venue - Beachland Ballroom
• Best Rock Club - Beachland Ballroom

We also want to congratulate some of our friends:

• Best Local Blogger - Unmiserable Cleveland for always being supportive of our positives.
• Best Local Sculptor - Loren Naji (who is about to launch an installation house near Waterloo)
• Best Place for Free Fun - Cleveland Metroparks (who are about to have three parks in the neighborhood)

Space Rock Opens!

Thanks to support from ArtPlace, Northeast Shores was able to provide funding for the creation of a new gallery on Waterloo Road. Please see the following press release regarding the opening of the first show this coming weekend:

Rock and Roll Gallery Space: ROCK Opens on Waterloo April 5
First show: “The Golden Age of Cleveland Rock: 1969-1974”

Space: ROCK, a new gallery devoted to Cleveland music history and photography, officially opens on Friday, April 5. Its first full-scale exhibit, “The Golden Age of Cleveland Rock: 1969-1974,” focuses on a time period when many local bands were getting signed to record labels and attracting national attention. The show runs through the end of May.

Posters, photos, album jackets, clippings, and promotional materials will tell the stories of artists like the James Gang, the Raspberries, Damnation of Adam Blessing, Rastus, Wild Butter, Tiny Alice, Eli Radish, Rainbow Canyon, Michael Stanley, Glass Harp, Blue Ash, and Left End who were making noise outside of their northeast Ohio homebase.

The psychedelic era of the late ’60s brought many more different sounds into rock music and caused record labels to actively seek to diversify their rosters. They began looking for the “next San Francisco,” and Cleveland was on their radar, due to factors like area music fans’ openness to new sounds, the number of former Clevelanders rising in the echelons of the major labels, and the detailed coverage provided in the local media by the Plain Dealer’s Jane Scott, the Cleveland Press’s Bruno Bornino, and the staff of The Scene, then primarily a music magazine.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Beachland Ballroom will be hosting a public oral history taping with Jim Quinn, guitarist for Damnation of Adam Blessing and longtime area band manager. It takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday April 20. Admission is $5, food will be available, and the bar will be open.

Space: ROCK is a project of Cleveland Rocks: Past Present and Future, a new nonprofit formed last year to bring more attention to Cleveland music history and to support the music scene’s growth into the future. Its offices are on the second floor of the Space: ROCK Gallery.

 For more information about Space: ROCK, contact Anastasia Pantsios at aastasjoy@aol.com.