Americans for the Arts Convention 2025 took place in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 11 – 14. ArtsNow was thrilled to be in attendance alongside Summit County leaders and artists. Below, attendees from Summit County shared how the experience impacted them.

Michelle Alleman

Deputy Director

Akron-Summit County Public Library

@akronlibrary

“It was an honor to attend and present at AFTACON. Meeting folks from across the country and to learning new things together is always invigorating. Especially exciting was sharing our experience of creating the groundbreaking resource the Accessibility Library.”

Alicia Hopkins

Artist, Author, and Disabled Advocate – Audacity2Speak

@Audacity2Speak (IG)   |   @ArtSpeaksAudacity2Advocate (FB)

“AFTACON changed a lot of my perspectives about the arts. Historical context is everything! It goes beyond textbooks. It is hearing from artists and the sharing of art work that helps shape perspectives. It is a framework for understanding the timeline of the arts for current and future generations of artists and creators. We must lean in and learn from artists young and old to keep the history and the transforming power of the arts alive in our communities.”

Molly Becker

Director of Public Relations & Marketing –  Metro RTA

@yourMETRObus

“Being in the transit industry, I thought I’d be a fish out of water at AFTA. But everyone was excited METRO was there and is working on a public art plan. I learned a great deal from the perspective of the artist and from policy makers on how to build on what we are already working on. I also learned that transit conferences are WAY different. We don’t have dancers and poets opening our sessions!”

Drew C. Reilly

Law Director – City of Stow

@CityofStow

“Attending a conference for public art was a new experience for me. I am thrilled with the opportunity to take back strategies and best practices that we can use right here in our community to invest in public art and see culture thrive here in Stow.” 

Danielle M. Dieterich

Executive Director – Cuyahoga Valley Art Center

“I’m incredibly grateful to have attended the Americans for the Arts Conference (AFTACON) this past week. Being surrounded by artists, arts administrators, and city leaders from across the country was both energizing and affirming. We gathered with a shared purpose—to reflect, connect, and reignite our passion for this work—and I left feeling not only inspired but grounded in the knowledge that, regardless of size or resources, every arts organization is striving toward the same goal: to build more vibrant, connected, and creative communities. The conversations I had—whether in sessions, workshops, or over coffee—reinforced the idea that “The power to create change is not lost—it’s local,” a quote that stayed with me throughout the week. That message, repeated in different forms across the conference, was a powerful reminder that the arts remain one of our greatest tools for fostering empathy, bridging divides, and creating meaningful change. I returned with renewed motivation and a deeper sense of what’s possible. Beauty is a precious resource—one that must be nurtured, celebrated, shared, and championed.” 6/18/2025

Rob Lehr

Vice President of Programs, GAR Foundation

“Joining the Americans for the Arts in Cincinnati left me feeling inspired and even more connected to those who believe the arts are a powerful way to develop stronger communities and economic growth. Learning and networking with arts funders from across the country was especially meaningful. Thank you to ArtsNow for making sure the Summit County community came together at AFTACON!”