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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 11, 2022

RAINEY INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES EXPANSION TO CLARK-FULTON’S PIVOT CENTER IN 2022

Second location will focus on expanding music programs and collaborations in dance, visual arts, and drama.

CLEVELAND – Last month, Rainey Institute introduced stakeholders to its new location in the Pivot Center for the Arts, Dance, and Expression on West 25th Street during an Open House event gathering board members and community collaborators. The event enabled guests to walk through the organization’s recently leased space, where construction is expected to commence early this year, and take a virtual tour through the initial renderings for the space’s design provided by design and architecture firm Smith + Sauer. With a move-in date slated for this summer, Rainey Institute aims to host an inaugural summer camp for Clark-Fulton youth in partnership with current Pivot Center tenant organizations.

Rainey Institute provides programming throughout Cleveland to ensure children have access to affordable visual and performing arts education. Rainey is dedicated to developing positive growth in Cleveland’s youth, and its programs utilize the arts as a platform to empower youth to become confident individuals who value creativity, expression, and learning. Through both exploratory and mastery based programs in music, dance, drama, and visual arts, Rainey students develop artistic and social-emotional skills that prepare them for vibrant futures.

The newly signed lease at the Pivot Center provides Rainey Institute with the opportunity to expand its presence on the West Side, attain additional space for growing programs, and collaborate more closely with community partners serving in Clark-Fulton. Anchored by existing tenants such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Inlet Dance Theatre, and LatinUS Theatre Company, Rainey’s presence fills the need for exploratory and mastery-based opportunities in music at Pivot Center. El Sistema, Rainey’s popular mastery-based orchestral music program, will be more accessible to Clark-Fulton’s growing Hispanic/LatinX youth population and students attending neighboring schools. Other programs will include pre-school arts, teen programs, and summer camp.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be the Pivot Center’s newest tenants,” said Dr. Jennifer Harris, the Executive Director at Rainey. “Arts education is such an important aspect of a well-rounded childhood experience, and is linked closely with a child’s academic, social-emotional, and future success, but we know many children don’t have the same access to the arts. We are excited to work with partners at Pivot Center, and organizations already serving Clark-Fulton families, to understand how we can provide high-quality, culturally immersive, and positive and affirming arts opportunities in addition to the great work already being done in this neighborhood.”

Key donations from The George Gund Foundation, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The Falk Brothers Fund courtesy of Bill and Peggy Lipscomb, and the William M. Weiss Foundation have made this expansion possible, and Rainey Institute is launching a comprehensive fundraising campaign in 2022 to secure additional support. Along with these generous donors, Rainey joins a community of arts, media and social service organizations at Pivot Center and throughout the neighborhood committed to ensuring Clark-Fulton families, businesses, and institutions thrive.

“We are proud to welcome Rainey Institute to our house, the Pivot Center,” says Monica Torres, the Executive Artistic Director at LatinUs Theater Company which represents Hispanic culture and language in theatre. “We couldn’t be happier that they will bring El Sistema, a social education music program created in Venezuela to the Clark-Fulton community.”

Stay up to date on all Rainey’s progress by visiting its website or following @raineyinstitute on Twitter and lnstagram. Learn more about the Pivot Center at https://pivotartcenter.com/.

Rainey Institute is where the arts change lives by enriching and inspiring a broad community of learners through excellent, accessible arts programming. With a commitment to holistic youth development, Rainey’s programs utilize the arts as a platform to empower youth to become confident individuals who value creativity, learning, diversity, and self-expression. Rainey offers year-round music, drama, dance, and visual arts programs after school, during the summer, and on weekends. Each year, 2,500 youth from the Hough and St.Clair/Superior neighborhoods, East Cleveland, and on the west side engage in Rainey’s programs. Whether a child is interested in the intensive study of one art form, or simply seeking an arts-enriched experience, Rainey is here to provide possibilities to Cleveland’s deserving kids.

Contact: Grace Andrews, [email protected]