Download Press/Media Kit

FOUR DAY ARTS FESTIVAL
FOR MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION AWARENESS
Comedy. Talk. Music. Film. Art - May 17 - May 20
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT:
Angela Hetrick (216) 773-0210 [email protected]
Martin Geramita (216) 288-4868 [email protected]
"There is nothing better than when artists use their platforms to better their
communities through direct action, that's what Acting Out represents, a sincere and impactful festival that brings creatives together in service to a population that is underserved. That is activism at its finest."
- RA Washington, Musician, Mourning[A]BLKstar
“There is nothing better than having consumers, people with the ‘lived
experience’, take the lead in helping others learn about the diagnosis and
treatment of mood disorders. Our best chance of destigmatizing depression,
bipolar disorder, and other serious mental illnesses is to have consumers with
these illnesses “Act Out!
- Joseph Calabrese, MD, Director, Mood Disorders Program,
University Hospitals Case Medical Center
"Being that I struggle with mental health issues, I applaud Derek for bringing more
attention to this cause. Art, in it's many forms, can be very comforting to those
afflicted with this struggle. Whether you create it or simply enjoy it, the bridging of
art (artists) with people with mental health issues can only bring positive results.”
- Chuck Taylor, Embrace The Matrix, Visual Artist
ACTING OUT! breaks down the stigmas and creates awareness of mental illness
and addiction through a four-day series of public art events, including film, visual art, music, comedy
and panel discussion. Mental illness, addiction, and creative brilliance often go hand and hand,
particularly when it comes to the arts. Derek Hess understands artists like himself are in a unique position
to start dialogues about intimate universal struggles without as much fear of judgment.
ACTING OUT! is our opportunity to challenge — and change — the negative stereotypes.
ACTING OUT! is the brainchild of Derek Hess and his agent Martin Geramita. Created to work aggressively to help
remove the stigma around mental illness—a matter that’s especially important to Hess, whose
struggles with bipolar disorder and substance abuse are not only well known, they’re integral
subjects to his emotionally charged artwork. With the success of 2016 ACTING OUT!,
plans are in the works to make 2017 even better.
This is your opportunity to be part of a ground breaking, one of a kind event series.
From concert posters to politically charged fine art pieces,
Cleveland-based artist Derek Hess has tested the waters of the
music and art worlds for over 25 years.
Always a fan of music, Hess began booking shows at the
Euclid Tavern, at the time frequent haunt for cover bands and
Cleveland’s blues scene. Hess soon began to exert influence
over the format of the bands being brought to the Tavern,
booking bands and musicians that spoke more directly to him
and his generation. He also started creating the promotional
flyers for the shows using his own unique artistic vision.
In 1993, while still booking bands at the Euclid Tavern, Hess’
flyers caught the eye of Martin Geramita, who suggested that
Hess put his flyers onto a larger stage. Working together, with
Geramita as his manager, Hess began exhibiting his work as
full-color art and became the preeminent concert poster artist in
Cleveland, a happenstance that coincided with an international
revival in concert posters, launching Hess from Cleveland to the
world.
His completely unique and inimitable style, garnered the
attention of countless venues and touring bands, as well as the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum,
the GRAMMY Museum, and the Louvre in Paris—all of whom
have Hess’ art in their permanent collections.
DESTIGMATIZING MENTAL ILLNESS AND ADDICTION
Our core arts programming includes musical
performances, talks, film, comedy, and visual art
from local artists and nationally known celebrity
mental health and addiction advocates. We strongly
believe that using the artists and celebrity advocates
sharing their stories will help us educate and deliver
our message to a larger audience.
PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN NEED.
After Acting Out! 2016 we realized the
greater need to connect the public and
those in need with information on the
mental health and addiction resources
available. We strive to achieve this goal
through programming partnerships with
mental health and addiction
organizations.
Acting Out! Festival has a broad audience,
including those living with or affected by
mental illness and/or addiction, healthcare
professionals and supporters of the arts and
popular culture. The festival attracts both men
and women of all ethnicities. The majority of
the audience is between the ages of 25 and 55
years old. The audience served is split evenly
between those specifically interested mental
health and addiction programming and the
general public that attend based on the arts
events but leave with a greater understanding
of the mission.
Derek Hess’ core audience is comprised of
college-educated individuals, between the
ages of 25 to 50 years old, with an average
income of $40,000+ a year. They are interested
not only in fine art, music, and culture, but also
feel connected to his mental health journey.
This audience are also known buyers, with
many of Hess’ shows selling out opening
night. Hess’ art has an international audience,
as evident by both art sales, social media
following and a number of International
gallery shows.
Acting Out! 2017 programming to be expanded significantly, with the partnership of Gordon Square Arts
District. With increase in events, partnerships, larger venues and incorporating more national known artists
in the programming of the festival we will reach a larger audience.
Schedule of 2017 festival, programming and collaboratiowill be announced here:
http://www.actingoutcle.com/schedule/
2017 Projected Reach / Attendance
Advertising Social Media & Press Reach: 349,700
Comedy - 1,500 attendees (Happy Dog + Additional Locations TBD)
Art Exhibition - 2,500 - 4,000 attendees (Derek Hess Gallery + Third Friday 78th Street Studios)
Panel Discussions/Workshops - 3,000 attendees (Throughout Gordon Square)
Film - 1,600 attendees (Capitol Theatre)
Music - 6,500 attendees (Closing Night Concert + Nightly Happy Dog Live Music)
Total Projected Reach:
Online: 349,700 | Event Attendance: 16,000
Marty DeRosa
Comedian / “Wrestling With Depression” Podcast
All performing comedians have mental health or addiction diagnosis
Locations:
Regional comedians - The Happy Dog.
National comedians - Larger venues throughout GSAD.
Total estimated attendance: 1,500
Art Exhibition featuring work by artists living with or
affected by mental illness/addiction.
Locations: Derek Hess Gallery + common spaces in
78th Street Studios during popular Third Friday event.
Estimated attendance 2,500 - 4000
Closing night: Outdoor concert + Nightly live music at The Happy Dog
Musicians performing sets of original music and tributes to artists that
lost their battle with mental illness/addiction.
Large closing night concert featuring national touring artists and
mental health / addiction advocates
CAPACITY
Closing night concert: 5,000.
Happy Dog: 400 nightly
A series of documentary films spotlighting the struggles of artists and other
known celebrities will be screened at the Capitol Theatre during ACTING OUT!.
Included in the series will be “Forced Perspective”
which highlights Derek Hess’ career along with his
personal battle with bipolar disorder and alcoholism.
Theater Capacity: 400 per screening.
ACTING OUT! 2017 will have an increased number of talks, workshops, and pannel
discussions with artists and leading health care professionals.
These important events open up dialogue, break down stigmas, and educate.
Hosted throughout the entire festival in various locations in GSAD.
Capacity: 50 to 500