Project by art history’s Erin Benay and colleague places among finalists at civic pitch competition

Erin Benay, a Distinguished Scholar in the Public Humanities and associate professor of art history, was selected to pitch at the Cleveland Leadership Center's 2026 Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition. 

Alongside colleague Ken Schneck, editor-in-chief of The Buckeye Flame, Benay pitched their project, “Cleveland's Concrete Quilt,” which is an HIV and public art intervention. Their project was the winner in the Arts & Culture category.

Learn more about the competition and read about Benay’s project.