Herbert E. Strawbridge
Arts Patron and Advocate
Deceased 2000

Herbert E. Strawbridge has been been at the center of much of the creative thinking that brought Cleveland back to life after years of decline—and he has seen to it that the arts play a meaningful role in that renewal. In addition to being a founding or longtime member of core civic organizations such as Leadership Cleveland, the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland, and University Circle Incorporated, he has championed, supported, and inspired the Cleveland arts community with his visionary leadership and has strategically awarded resources from the philanthropies—the Kulas Foundation and the John P. Murphy Foundation—he has managed.

It was Strawbridge’s ability to envision new uses for neglected parts of the city that sparked the idea of redeveloping the Flats. His pioneering reinvestment there inspired others to see the possible in a seemingly impossible situation. Similarly, when Cleveland Ballet despaired of climbing out of a multimillion-dollar debt in 1993, Strawbridge encouraged the Murphy Foundation to make a major challenge grant to spur the ballet on to achieve solvency and make a fresh start.

When the Cleveland Orchestra became concerned about the graying of its audience, he convened a committee to explore the possibility of the orchestra’s sponsoring jazz performances at Severance Hall. Since its founding in 1995, the resulting “Jazz on the Circle” concert series has grown annually in popularity and professionalism. The series has brought new audiences to Severance Hall and introduced classical music audiences to a fine new genre.

It would be difficult to count the number of pianos, violins, and trumpets that the Kulas Foundation, under Strawbridge’s leadership, has purchased so that area schoolchildren might learn to play music. It would be equally hard to measure the impact his advocacy of free and discounted student tickets has had on the lives of young people who otherwise would not have had a chance to attend live arts performances.

It is accurate to say that no gathering of local arts leaders would consider taking a major step without the advice and counsel of Herb Strawbridge. His practical line of inquiry and shining optimism have been essential to good decision-making throughout this cultural community for more than 30 years.