Why She’s Interesting: Brown made Cleveland history upon appointment by Mayor Justin Bibb to an inaugural position as the city’s senior strategist for the arts, culture and creative economy. Having worked as a professional artist in Chicago and as president of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation for three decades, Brown brings years of expertise to her advisory role.
Born an Artist: From the age of 5 until she left for college, she would watch her father, Malcolm Brown, an art teacher in their hometown of Shaker Heights, paint. Brown says becoming an artist was never pushed on her but that it came naturally. “I love creating, and the creative process has informed everything that I do in my life.”
New Beginnings to a Historic Past: In 1980, Brown’s parents opened the Malcolm Brown Gallery, one of the nation’s first African American-owned, for-profit fine arts gallery, in Shaker Heights. Given the weight of this distinction, she doesn’t take her role’s responsibility lightly. “To be able to come home after they’ve both passed away, and to do this work for a mayor, who is a champion of the arts and really invested in understanding what the role of the arts in the city of Cleveland can and should be — it’s a tremendous honor.”
Reconnecting with the Community: Though Brown considers Cleveland her home, she was away for 30 years; finding ways to reconnect with the local arts scene has been important in her first year. “The landscape has certainly changed substantially. I am loving exploring the different wards, meeting artists, leaders, attending events, and plays, and connecting a range of voices throughout the city.”
Favorite Format: If Brown could only create one form of art for the rest of her life, it would be painting, but she aspires to master photography, too.
Rhonda K. Brown, photographed at the House of Blues' Foundation Room.
Meet Cleveland's Most Interesting People of 2024.
Start your day the best way by signing up for our free daily newsletter. Arriving in your inbox every morning to keep you in the loop on the best guides, home and style tips, and news briefs for all things Cleveland. Click here to subscribe.
