IF CLEVELAND SPOKE

If Cleveland Spoke is a community-devised arts project that plays the city back to itself. Initiating in one of Cleveland’s historic immigrant and industrial corridors, St Clair-Superior, we’ll gather lived stories through walkshops and story circles, publish writing and micro-films, and co-make a roamable, immersive theatre event. The project seeks to celebrate people–place–land ties—riffing on the polyphonic spirit of Toni Morrison's Jazz to turn voices into connection, dignity and practical action.

Mass Witness

Pick a Hopewell prompt that speaks to you or try them all. Your voice will help to build a shared, living record of Cleveland’s layered ground. Submissions will contribute to a public archive and may be included in exhibitions, workshops and community events. Use the form below to contribute.

Your Story

Pick a prompt that speaks to you or try them all. Your voice will help to build a shared, living record of Cleveland’s stories. Submissions will contribute to a public archive and may be included in exhibitions, workshops and community events. Use the form below to contribute.

Story Mapping

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

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“Even the smallest acts of imagining hold within them seeds of transformation.”

— Vlad Glăveanu, Possibilities Studies: A Manifesto (2022)

HOPEWELL: Take a moment to explore the creative prompts below — reflect on your city, then send us your thoughts using the form.

An open call to notice, reflect and respond to what lies beneath. Inspired by the Hopewell Culture and Greater Cleveland’s layered ground, The Hopewell Project invites you to choose one or more prompts and respond in your own way.

Choose your format – text, image, voice, or video.

Your submission will be added to a digital map and may be included in exhibitions, workshops and community archives.

Share your voice. Add to a living public record of place, memory, and connection.

Submit Your Response
An open call to notice, reflect, and respond to what lies beneath. Inspired by the Hopewell Culture and Greater Cleveland’s layered ground, The Hopewell Project invites you to choose one or more prompts and respond in your own way.

Choose your format – text, image, voice, or video.

Your submission will be added to a digital map and may be included in exhibitions, workshops and community archives.

Share your voice. Add to a living public record of place, memory, and connection.

First name

Last name

Phone

Home Zipcode

Date of Birth

Day

Month

Year

Absent Friends Prompt: Tell us about a place in Greater Cleveland that meant something to you but isn't there anymore. Supporting info: We're collecting memories of lost or transformed places: schools, stores, factories, bus stops, clubs or homes.

File upload

Still Matters Prompt: What’s crumbling, fading, or being left behind but still matters to you? Supporting Info: Decay doesn’t mean unimportant. We’re interested in overlooked or ageing things that still carry meaning.

File upload

Insider Knowledge Prompt: What do people here know that outsiders might not? Supporting Info: This is a space for local phrases, rituals, shared knowledge, or unspoken rules. What’s only obvious if you live here?

File upload

On Foot, In Place Prompt: Tell us about a walk you often take. Supporting Info: Describe what you see, hear, or feel as you move through familiar paths - what’s changed, what’s stayed the same.

File upload

Off the Record Prompt: What wouldn’t make it into the official story of this place? Supporting Info: Skip the headlines. We want the underreported, the unseen, the skipped-over. Share something from the margins: a side street, a quiet ritual...

File upload

Ground Truths Prompt: Map your relationship with Cleveland in five places. Supporting Info: This isn’t about accuracy, it’s about meaning. Choose five places that shape your story of the city. They could be connected by memory, emotion, routine...

File upload

By submitting, you allow The Hopewell Project to use your work in exhibitions, publications, or audio pieces. All entries are anonymous unless you give permission to be named or heard. Your copyright is retained. Non-commercial use only.

I give permission for my contribution to be shared publicly across exhibitions, publications, and digital platforms.

I give permission for my contribution to be used within the project (e.g., internal workshops or research), but not shared publicly or published.

Please do not use or share my contribution in any way without first contacting me for specific permission.