Local nonprofit ArtsNow spearheaded the creation of a plan to develop arts and culture in Summit County
By Mitch Allen
Many well-run organizations, both businesses and nonprofits, have a strategic plan. It’s more than a document, more than a doorstop. It’s a road map for the future. It explains who the organization is, what it does, and where it wants to go. The plan helps everyone in the enterprise stay focused on meaningful initiatives and not become distracted by efforts that do not contribute to the mission.
Governments often have strategic plans, too. And forward-thinking counties and municipalities also have what is known as a “cultural plan.” It’s like a strategic plan, but for arts and culture, both of which drive economic development for the community and quality of life for its citizens.
Recently, ArtsNow, the backbone agency for arts and culture for Summit County, developed the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan with the goal of enhancing arts and culture to attract new businesses, new residents, new tourists, and strengthen social vibrancy.
You’ve probably never heard of ArtsNow, but it’s well-known in Summit County’s arts community. That’s because through connection, collaboration, and support, the organization reaches across the various arts sectors to drive creativity throughout our county.
While other communities may have a cultural plan, this new Akron/Summit initiative is different—in a crucial way.
Developed by the People
“Most cultural plans are developed by government,” explains ArtsNow’s executive director Nicole Mullet. “But the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan has been created by the people.”
Through interviews, focus groups, and surveys, the ArtsNow staff heard directly from hundreds of citizens about what direction the community should take in growing arts and culture for the next 15 years. “When the first draft was submitted to the participants, we asked for feedback—what we got right and what we got wrong,” Nicole says. “We revised it and submitted it again. We did this five times. And after the five versions, we landed on a plan that is inclusive, insightful, motivating, and most of all—doable.”
To help ensure success, ArtsNow announced in May of this year the launch of ArtsForward, a regranting program dedicated to advancing and implementing the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan. With support from philanthropic partners including Akron Community Foundation, Burton D. Morgan Foundation, GAR Foundation, and Knight Foundation, ArtsForward aims to provide the resources needed to support the cultural plan’s ten key priorities identified by the people (see sidebar).
This month, ArtsNow will announce the arts and cultural organizations that will receive the first round of ArtsForward funding.
Why the Arts Matter
People often ask, “Why do the arts matter when people are hurting and hungry?” It’s a valid question, until you consider why we help people in the first place. We want our fellow citizens to be healthy and happy so all of us can have access to the richness life has to offer. But without art, there is little richness to enjoy.
Art requires artists—actors, musicians, singers, dancers, designers, photographers, painters, sculptors, and many more. Consider life without them:
Without actors and musicians, there would be no theater, no television shows, no songs on the radio, no music to download. Without writers, there would be no books, no magazines, no podcasts. Without painters, photographers and designers, there would be no creative images to inspire us and help us understand the world. Our homes would be bland boxes, our fashion—clothes, shoes, jewelry, furniture—would be flavorless and utterly utilitarian. Without potters and culinary artists, our dinners would be baked beans on plain paper plates.
The arts cannot be separated from what it means to be human. Art defines us. It’s been this way since our most ancient ancestor first held a stick and drew a circle in the sand, igniting in our species an insatiable longing to create, to understand what it all means.
Some organizations help us stay healthy and alive, while others give us a reason to stay healthy and alive. Both are essential to quality of life.
This is what ArtsNow is about.
Arts and Culture in Akron/Summit County
When you think of the arts in Greater Akron, the big venues probably come to mind: Blossom, EJ Thomas, the Civic, Weathervane, Goodyear Theater, Lock 3, Greystone, MGM Northfield Park (yes, it’s in Summit County). In terms of culture, obvious are the University of Akron and our fabulous hospital systems. We can get a quality education then walk a few blocks and get a brand-new hip.
And it’s hard to imagine greater Akron without the Towpath Trail, Stan Hywet, the Akron Art Museum, the Akron Zoo, Canal Park and the RubberDucks, the Metro Parks, the Urban League, Hale Farm, Don Drumm, community centers like Ed Davis and Patterson Park, Derby Downs, Mustard Seed, the Signal Tree, the booming craft beer scene, the influence of LeBron James, and the Goodyear Blimp buzzing overhead.
There are many attractions for residents and visitors to Summit County, and the cultural icons listed above represent only the tip of a massive, vulcanized iceberg. There are literally hundreds of other arts, culture, education, and humanitarian organizations driving the quality of life in our region, some of which you may have never heard of. They don’t have large staffs or hefty marketing budgets. For example:
ArtSparks helps provide access to high-quality dance programming, fosters the understanding of dance as an art form, and challenges students of all ages and abilities to discover new heights of individual excellence.
Summit Artspace connects artists and artist-serving organizations to the community and to the resources they need to thrive professionally, creatively, and financially.
Skin Color, developed by artist Althea Jones, is a community-building, interactive art performance about the beautiful spectrum of skin tones beyond the concepts of race and class.
The Summit County Accessibility Library is a collaborative community project helping organizations and individuals ensure volunteers, guests, staff, and performers at area events can fully engage and participate in festivals, performances, community gatherings, and shows.
We may not know of these organizations and many more like them, but ArtsNow does. It also knows what resources these groups need to take their initiatives even further for the benefit of our entire community.
In short, ArtsNow is like that old BASF commercial: It doesn’t make the art and culture we enjoy; it makes the arts and culture we enjoy—better.
Of course, a vibrant arts community cannot exist without access—access for everyone, including those who have difficulty enjoying the arts due to limitations in transportation, health, mobility, awareness, and, of course, finances. A single ticket to a concert of a major recording artist at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse can cost hundreds of dollars. Take a couple of guests, enjoy dinner, and it’s a $1,000 evening. Few people can afford that.
Making local arts fun, affordable (even free) is essential to inclusivity—giving all of us all the opportunity to enjoy a full, rich life in the county we call home.
The Cultural Plan's 10 Priorities
The Akron/Summit Cultural Plan features the following 10 priorities, as determined by the hundreds of Summit County residents who participated in its development:
In Akron/Summit, we believe…
- Equity…that people of all ages, races, genders, orientations, religions, abilities, means, and backgrounds must have access to and participate in the making of a thriving cultural scene.
- Accessibility…that access to our city’s arts, cultural, and environmental spaces are integral to the health and future of our community—and together, we must work towards intentional inclusion.
- Education…that all students deserve the opportunity to access high-quality, creative experiences, both in school and in the community.
- Talent…that artists and creators are core to the health of our city and are beloved community members who deserve the opportunity to make a home in Akron and Summit County.
- Engagement…that we must embrace and support excellence in our creative sector by engaging the broad Summit County community more deeply in arts and cultural opportunities.
- Connections…that culture transcends traditional sector lines.
- Economic Impact…that a vibrant economy depends on a vibrant arts and culture community.
- Resources…our creators of culture and art deserve our support and our resources.
- Placemaking…that access to beautiful public space is a basic human right. Placemaking builds connections, creates civic engagement, and empowers citizens, and the arts are a crucial component of placemaking.
- Public Art…that public art provides meaning to our public spaces, reflects the history of our city, adds uniqueness to neighborhoods, and humanizes our environment.
How You Can Help
ArtsNow deserves our support, and you can help in two important ways: 1) contact the staff to find out how you or your organization can offer support, connections, and collaboration among Summit County’s arts community, and 2) offer your financial support, especially now.
That’s because right now Knight Foundation is offering a $1 million match. “Knight has agreed to match our fundraising efforts up to $1 million dollars over four years,” Nicole explains. “Each year when we raise at least $250,000, Knight Foundation will match it with another $250,000. That means we have the potential to raise $500,000 each year for four years, and have $2 million to help enrich our arts community.”
Knight Foundation’s challenge began one year ago, and ArtsNow met its goal this year. That’s helping fund the grants being announced this month.
Give now—while Knight Foundation’s $1 million match is available—and your gift will be doubled, and you’ll be helping foster a vibrant arts and culture community, which, in turn, will attract new, high-quality businesses, new talented and engaged citizens, and enrich the lives of all of us.
Every one.
ArtsNow is at 175 S. Main Street, Suite 100, in Akron. For more information or to make a financial contribution, visit ArtsNow.org or call 330-203-1004.