ArtsNow Press Releases

ArtsNow Press Releases

ArtsNow Adds Local Artist and Community Organizer Dara Harper as Director of Programming

September 15, 2021 – ArtsNow announced today that Dara Harper will join the team as its first Director of Programming, a new full-time position within the organization designed to support ArtsNow’s future growth and advance the strategic implementation of the community-wide Cultural Plan. This position was made possible through a multi-year investment of Knight Foundation.

ArtsNow Announces Art & Sole, a collaboration with Akron Marathon Funded by Ohio Arts Council

September 8, 2021 – Art & Sole, an initiative co-created by the Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation and ArtsNow, a Summit County arts and culture nonprofit, is bringing the arts to Akron’s Blue Line.

Ernst & Young Works with Local Curation Team to Celebrate Local Artists of Color in New East End Office Spaced

July 28, 2021 – Ernst & Young LLP (EY) recently unveiled its new offices in the East End, and today, ArtsNow is thrilled to celebrate its thoughtfully-curated space with art from Akron-based Black creatives.

ArtsNow Announces National Experts in Akron with Newly-Developed 2021 Calendar of Events

March 25, 2021 – In partnership with thought leaders from across the nation, local experts and Summit County organizations, ArtsNow is thrilled to announce a curated calendar of 2021 art-based events designed to enable more art in more places for more people, titled ArtsNow Presents.

Akron Black Artist Guild Makes Plans to Mobilize with an Interactive Event in March

February 11, 2021 – Last week, more than 50 Black artists in Akron joined the first meeting of the Black Artist Guild to co-create the organization and develop initial plans for advocacy, education, collaboration, and plans to impact the community.

ArtsNow Set to Welcome Jane Golden, Founder of Internationally-Renown Mural Arts Philadelphia

February 4, 2021 – ArtsNow, the nonprofit local arts agency serving Summit County, is thrilled to announce Jane Golden, founder and executive director of the internationally-renown Mural Arts Philadelphia, will speak during a free, virtual event on Thurs., Feb. 18, 2021.

Black Artist Guild Created in Akron to Support and Celebrate Local Black Creative Talent

January 21, 2021 – An idea sparked as part of the Akron cultural planning process is coming to life on Feb. 3, 2021. During a community forum in the summer of 2019, local artists Dara Harper and Diane Johnson suggested the concept of a Black Artist Guild as a networking association and support system for Akron’s Black creative talent.

ArtsNow Announces Artist Relief Fund to Offer Financial Support to Artists in Summit County

January 6, 2021 – To support Summit County artists during the COVID-19 pandemic, ArtsNow has been granted $50,000 from GAR Foundation to offer financial support for artists personally or professionally impacted by the pandemic.

“Artists Sunday” Aims to Boost Annual Holiday Season Sales for Artists

November 17, 2020 – Artists Sunday, a new movement to drive art sales and support the livelihoods of millions of U.S. artists, artisans and craftspeople, will premiere Sun., Nov. 29, 2020, thanks to Northeast Ohio nonprofits ArtsNow and Crafty Mart.

First Serve Partnering with ArtsNow, Summit Education Initiative, Akron-Summit County Public Library, and the University of Akron to Bring Interactive Learning to North Hill

September 10, 2020 – First Serve, a community volunteer group led by First Congregational Church of Hudson, has come together again with ArtsNow and Summit Education Initiative to bring new learning landscapes to the community of North Hill. This year’s partners include Akron-Summit County Public Library, the University of Akron, Exchange House, and other North Hill neighborhood collaborators.

Celebrating 5 Years, ArtsNow Announces New Board Members

June 23, 2020 – ArtsNow will welcome three new Board Members to join in the work of advancing the arts and culture sector in Summit County. Lisa King, Steve Millard, and Georgia Nix Miller begin their first term as trustees July 1, 2020, the same day as the organization’s 5-year anniversary.

Collaboration Among Social Service, Education, and Arts Organizations Brings Creativity Through Fully Inclusive Digital Classes

July 21, 2020 – Service and cultural organizations are thrilled to announce a collaborative effort to bring a digital workshop series, taught by professional artists, to residents in Summit County.

ArtsNow & Gener8Tor Announce Emergency Response Program For Northeast Ohio Creatives

June 19, 2020 – ArtsNow, in partnership with gener8tor, has announced the Cleveland & Northeast Ohio Creatives Emergency Response Program, a new initiative supporting Northeast Ohio artists, musicians, and creatives affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ArtsNow Announces Two Virtual Series To Connect Community Unable To Participate In Large Scale Spring/Summer Activities

May 20, 2020 – Thanks to support from Akron Community Foundation and Knight Foundation, ArtsNow has launched two virtual series available to the public beginning Wed., May 20, 2020 at noon.

ArtsNow Announces Countywide Campaign To Support Community

April 21, 2020 – ArtsNow has announced a partnership with Summit County business The Social Dept. to show support and solidarity as a state who values arts, culture, and community.

ArtsNow Announces Summit County Calendar for Virtual Arts/Cultural Events

April 7, 2020 – ArtsNow, a backbone nonprofit that works to leverage the arts and culture in Summit County to support and strengthen the region’s economic and social vibrancy, has created a new addition to its central calendar to house all of the virtual/online streaming events happening in Summit County, OH, on SummitLive365.

ArtsNow Welcomes Ohio Art Council’s Bill Behrendt To Summit County For Advocacy Training

October 16, 2019 – Bill Behrendt, Esq., the legislative co-council at Ohio Arts Council, is set to host an Advocacy Training for Arts and Culture, a training on how to effectively engage and advocate for the arts in Ohio, on Nov. 7, 2019, at Bounce Innovation Hub.

ArtsNow Partners With Vsa Ohio To Offer Free Accessibility Training

June 11, 2019 – VSA Ohio, the state organization on arts and disability, has partnered with ArtsNow to present “Make Your Marketing More Accessible,” a workshop designed to help cultural organizations adjust their marketing materials in a way that will make their work, facilities, and content more accessible to all. This free workshop will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 3 – 4:30 p.m. at the Cuyahoga Falls Pavilion and Amphitheatre at 2085 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221.

Transformation Continues In Park East Neighborhood Through Local Partnerships

February 13, 2019 – ArtsNow, Akron Civic Commons, and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition (OECC) have partnered to transform the Park East tennis courts with a grant from Mural Arts Institute. The partnership is designed to help leverage the arts in energizing neighborhoods. The team is thrilled to announce the Artist in Residence for Phase Two of the project, Lizzi Aronhalt.

The Arts Equal Big Business In Akron And Cleveland: Ohio Creative Economy Report Released

February 5, 2019 – On Feb. 5, 2019, Ohio Citizens for the Arts released findings from a commissioned study, developed in conjunction with the Center for Regional Development and Bowling Green State University, that explored the true power and impact of Ohio’s creative industries.

“Kofi: Made In Akron (A Short Film Documentary)” To Premiere In Akron, Ohio

January 10, 2019 – Community members are rallying beside Kofi R. Boakye, a 19- year-old award-winning keyboardist, songwriter, and producer on Thurs., Jan. 31, 2019, at The Tangier Event & Entertainment Center to support Kofi and his financial efforts as he prepares for college at Berklee College of Music.

Community Utilizing Museums For All; Bringing Access To Families With New Partnerships

January 2, 2019 – In early July of 2018, the Akron Art Museum, Akron Children’s Museum, Akron Zoo, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens and Summit County Historical Society began offering a substantially discounted admission price of $1 to $3 to any guest who presents their U.S. government-issued Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card upon arrival, as part of the Museums for All program.

National Launch Of Unlikely Documentary Coming To Akron With Panel Discussion

October 25, 2018 – After its premiere at the Napa Valley Film Festival, UNLIKELY returns to Akron for a free community event at the Akron Civic Theatre on Nov. 13, 2018, at 6 PM. A collaboration between ArtsNow and the Akron Civic Theatre, this event will feature food, music, film, and conversation to celebrate the City of Akron and its incredible students.

ArtsNow And Twinsburg Public Library Passes Program

October 12, 2018 – In June, ArtsNow and the Twinsburg Public Library, with the generous donations in memory of Joan Domeck, launched its Joan Domeck Community Connections passes program, where guests have the opportunity to reserve passes to Summit County cultural institutions for enjoyment and learning.

Summitlive365 Integrated With Ohio Eventfinder

October 2, 2018 – To continue its efforts to support arts and culture organizations across Summit County, ArtsNow has integrated its website, SummitLive365.com with popular platform OhioEventFinder.com.

ArtsNow To Host Free Two-Day Mural Making Workshop With Mural Arts Philadelphia

September 7, 2018 – To continue to empower and support arts and culture organizations across Summit County, ArtsNow and Mural Arts Philadelphia are hosting a free two-day workshop on Mon., Sept.17 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Part I) and Tues., Sept. 18 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Part II).

ArtsNow Partners With Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition To Transform Park East Tennis Courts With Local Artists

August 29, 2018 – Seeking to leverage the arts to energize neighborhoods, ArtsNow recently announced their partnership with Akron Civic Commons and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition (OECC) to transform the Park East tennis courts with a grant from Mural Arts Institute. The team is thrilled to announce two local artists, Nichole Epps and Ace Epps, who were chosen to gain insight into what the community wants for the development of the space.

#StoriesbySummit Initiative Launches To Highlight Love For Living, Working, And Playing Summit County

August 24, 2018 – Beginning Aug. 27 2018, and running until Sept. 3, 2018, arts and cultural institutions in Summit County will collaboratively ask their fans to share stories about why they love to live, play, or work in Summit County.

Akron Chosen To Welcome Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play On Public Theatre Mobile Unit

August 8, 2018 – Akron has been chosen to welcome the nationally renowned Public Theatre Mobile Unit for a free staging of Sweat in Kenmore’s Masonic Temple on Oct. 2, 2018, thanks to a collaborative effort by ArtsNow, the Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance, KenMore Kreative and Victory Lodge.