In 2004, Cleveland became one of just eight sites across the country selected by The Ford Foundation to develop a model in how to improve urban, public education through arts-integrated programming. Grant recipient Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio convened the Cleveland Integrated Arts Collaborative, a partnership of 30+ arts, cultural, philanthropic and educational institutions, which together created Art is Education.

Art is Education is a community-wide initiative designed to foster achievement, promote retention and inspire innovation in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Infusing the district's existing standards-based curricula with arts-integrated programming, Art is Education works to ensure that every child in every school on everyday receives the academic, personal and civic benefits that arts education provides.