State of the Arts

ArtsNow is thrilled to announce the fourth annual “State of the Arts: Summit County,” an event that will illuminate the work of our arts, culture, and environmental sector.

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ArtsNow Distinguished Patrons Recipient:
Mark and Sandy Auburn

Mark and Sandy Auburn are lifelong arts patrons whose creative partnership began onstage at the University of Akron. From performing and teaching to collecting art and commissioning music, their decades of support have enriched every corner of Akron’s cultural community. As dedicated board members and founders of key arts organizations, the Auburns have helped build a thriving and inclusive arts ecosystem in Summit County.

ArtsNow Visionary Leader Recipient:
Howard Parr

Howard Parr is the Executive Director of the Akron Civic Theatre and a founding board officer of ArtsNow. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to Akron’s cultural landscape have helped shape a more vibrant, connected, and sustainable future for the arts in Summit County.

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2024 Award Recipients

Highlights from our 2022 SOTA event

This video celebrates our award winners, Theresa Carter and Gregg Mervis. These two champions for Arts and Culture in Summit County received the ArtsNow Distinguished Patron Award & Visionary Leader Award, respectively. Thank you both for all that you do to support the Arts!

Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro shares her personal connection to the arts and her enthusiasm for the role of the arts in education and in our community. As Shapiro points out, everyone is born with skills, curiosity, and artistic capabilities, and when those skills are nurtured through education, we create a vibrant community that is a great place to live, work, and play.

This video celebrates the arts, cultural, and environmental sectors in Summit County, Ohio! Watch highlights submitted from across the county to showcase the amazing work that was accomplished in 2022.