Cleveland Artists Foundation Hired Grafton Nunes

The nonprofit appointed the former art institute president to lead its new headquarters at 2731 Prospect Avenue.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized masonry building facade, representing a new headquarters location. — The Cleveland Artists Foundation has appointed former art institute president Grafton Nunes as its new executive director to oversee its relocation to Prospect Avenue. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Cleveland Artists Foundation has appointed Grafton Nunes as its new executive director. The organization simultaneously completed a move to a new location at 2731 Prospect Avenue.

Why it matters

The leadership change and relocation are intended to revitalize interest in regional art. New financial policies, including a board donation mandate, aim to provide the nonprofit with a firm fiscal foundation.

The organization's collection contains 3,000 objects covering regional art from the 1890s to the present. The new facility spans 6,000 square feet and is secured by a seven-year lease.

The players

Grafton Nunes

Grafton Nunes is the newly appointed executive director of the Cleveland Artists Foundation and the former president of the Cleveland Institute of Art.

Cleveland Artists Foundation

The Cleveland Artists Foundation is a nonprofit organization that maintains a collection of 3,000 objects and focuses on preserving regional art history.

The details

Grafton Nunes, formerly the president of the Cleveland Institute of Art, will oversee operations at the new site. The nonprofit relocated from the West 78th Street Studios to the Prospect Avenue property to house its growing collection and expand its footprint.

The organization moved to 2731 Prospect Avenue on September 16, 2026.
The regional art collection covers works from the 1890s to the present.
The foundation has planned an opening exhibition for November 2026.

Market Landscape

This move follows the pattern set by the West 78th Street Studios relocation, where cultural institutions sought greater autonomy through dedicated facility management. The foundation is positioning itself to gain a larger share of the regional arts audience through this permanent location.

Local art enthusiasts and donors should anticipate new programming and increased accessibility as the foundation settles into its new Prospect Avenue home. The organization’s shift toward a high-contribution board model suggests a focus on long-term sustainability and growth.

The takeaway

The foundation's pivot to a more formal board contribution structure reflects a trend of nonprofits prioritizing financial self-sufficiency. Residents and art patrons can expect a more consolidated regional gallery experience as the organization settles into its long-term lease.