Wooster's James Levin Among the Winners of Cleveland Arts Prize Award

Director of The College of Wooster's Center for Entrepreneurship recognized for work on Gordon Square Arts District in Cleveland

WOOSTER, Ohio - James Levin, visiting associate professor of theatre and dance at The College of Wooster and director of Wooster's Center for Entrepreneurship, has been selected to receive a Cleveland Arts Prize for his vision and influence in launching the Gordon Square Arts District in Cleveland. The award, which will be shared by several of his colleagues, is presented annually to creative artists whose work enriches Northeast Ohio and whose accomplishments set a standard of excellence.

Levin, who is the founding director of the project, played an integral role in helping to transform the theaters, restaurants, and galleries clustered around West 65th Street and Detroit Avenue in an effort to revitalize the neighborhood by using the arts as a economic catalyst.

Others involved in the project include Cleveland City Councilman Matt Zone, Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization Executive Director Jeff Ramsey, Gordon Square Arts District Executive Director Joy Roller, and Cleveland Public Theatre Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan. The group will be honored at the annual awards event on Saturday, June 26, at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

"This crop of winners is broad-based and reflective of Cleveland today," said arts prize executive director Marcie Bergman. "Each year, the wonderful, talented depth of creative people living and working in Cleveland overwhelms me. I find it thrilling to look at the people represented. Winning the Arts Prize puts you in a very select group."