Career Kickstart
Subsidized long-term housing for early-career artists living and working in Cleveland.
Many emerging artists face a difficult tradeoff: spend their income on rent, or invest in their creative work. This program is designed to ease that pressure during the most critical stage of an artist's development.
The launch of Career Kickstart is dependent on the completion of renovations to No Surf House's third floor, which will expand the facility's capacity and allow the program to operate as intended.
Residents will be selected through a juried process that evaluates artistic potential, determination, and compatibility with the organization, its mission, and the other residents. Each year, outside advisors will review applications and present three finalists to the Board of Directors, from which one artist will be selected. The program is designed to maintain three artists in residence at any given time, with staggered terms to ensure continuity.
Selected artists are offered below-market housing for a one-year term, renewable for up to three years. Participants are expected to remain active in their field and contribute to the broader No Surf House community through engagement, collaboration, or service.
The intent is not just to provide housing, but to create time and stability.
By reducing living costs, artists can invest more fully in their work — and build a sustainable path forward.