Local Music Festival Wins Top Prize at the 2012 COSE Arts Business Challenge Awards

CLEVELAND, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ChamberFEST Cleveland, a local music festival was awarded first place in Wednesday night's 2012 COSE Arts Business Challenge competition held at 78th Street Studios on Cleveland's west side.   

The Arts Business Challenge recognizes local arts-based businesses for their business practices, originality and commitment to the community.  A total of $4,000 in prize money was awarded to the winners in addition to in-kind business services such as business coaching, marketing support and social media consulting. 

Founded by co-artistic directors, Franklin and Diana Cohen, ChamberFEST Cleveland is an intensive summer chamber music festival showcasing world-class musicians in innovative concert settings, drawing music aficionados and newcomers alike.  A unique variety of offerings, including meet-the-artist gatherings, multimedia experiences, and collaborations with local partners, ChamberFEST provides a concert experience in which the audience actively engages with the artists and their performance.  ChamberFEST also seeks to create personal connections between the performers and Cleveland residents.

Second place finisher Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Studios LLC specializes in producing one-of-a-kind custom and couture jewelry and Swarovski crystal bouquets. The owner designs and manufactures her collections in her studio in Stow, Ohio.  Her firm is establishing itself as a high-end fashion brand with designs and a customer experience unlike any other brand in the industry.

There was a tie for third place between DANCEVERT, a dance troop focusing on original works and educational-based programs; and El Sistema@Rainey, a youth orchestra program targeting at-risk, inner-city participants.

"COSE is so proud of this event because it's the only one recognizing arts and entrepreneurship in Northeast Ohio," says Matt Charboneau, Arts Network Leader at COSE.  "The arts-based small business community here is strong because of the continued presence of companies like these and all of our applicants this year."

For more information on the competition, the winners and the COSE Arts Network logon to www.cose.org/arts.

About COSE
COSE is one of Ohio's largest small business support organization, striving to help small businesses grow and maintain their independence. Comprised of more than 14,000 member companies, COSE has a long history of fighting for the rights of all small business owners, whether it's through group purchasing programs for health care, workers' compensation, or energy, advocating for specific changes in legislation or regulation to benefit small business, or providing a forum and resource for small businesses to connect with and learn from each other. (www.cose.org)

About COSE Arts Network
The COSE Arts Network offers benefits programs, business savings, professional development resources and networking events that address the specific needs of creative professional in arts-based businesses.  COSE understands the unique challenge of working creatively every day, while also dealing with the same financial, technical, legal and marketing concerns many other small businesses face.   The Arts Network looks to ease that burden for creative professionals so that they can focus on what they do best.

SOURCE Council of Smaller Enterprises