Anthony Boarman is the Strategic Communications Manager at GAR Foundation, where he builds awareness and broad support for the Foundation’s efforts to advance systemic solutions that make Greater Akron smarter, stronger, and more vibrant. Prior to joining GAR, Anthony spent 16 years in education, serving in various roles as a classroom educator, marketing and communications professional, and two-sport coach. During his time as the school’s director of marketing and communications, he played a key role in developing and implementing organizational communication strategies and standards. Anthony currently serves on the Summit County Historical Society Board of Directors and previously served on the board of Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron.

What types of arts and cultural activities do you enjoy the most (e.g., theatre, music, dance, visual arts, literature)?

I have a deep love for Akron’s history, so I typically gravitate toward activities related to that. We are lucky to have many great local organizations like the Summit County Historical Society, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron, and the soon-to-open Akron History Center that continue to provide meaningful and engaging programming around Akron’s past and its connection to our present and future. Outside of my love for history, I thoroughly enjoy frequenting our local arts and culture treasures like the Akron Civic Theatre, the Akron Art Museum, The Nightlight Cinema, and Lock 3 & 4 Parks.

Share a memorable experience or moment you’ve had while attending an arts and cultural event in Summit County.

In my communications role at GAR Foundation, I have been able to shadow and photograph Akron Public Schools PreK through fifth-grade classes involved in the Essential Experiences programming at seven different arts, culture, and historical organizations in Akron and Summit County. Being able to witness the pure joy of a fourth-grade student creatively engaged at the Akron Art Museum or the curiosity of a second-grade student investigating a pond and forest ecosystem in Cuyahoga Valley National Park has brought me a lot of pride as an Akronite and as a member of the GAR team. We have so many wonderful institutions in the Greater Akron area and I love seeing how this program is immersing and engaging Akron’s young learners in a meaningful way.

How has your involvement in arts and culture shaped your perspective and understanding of different cultures and communities?

The beauty of arts and culture is that it allows us a glimpse into the lives, perspectives, and traditions of people “unlike” you. We are often intimidated or “afraid” of people that are different from us, so I love how art forces us out of our comfort zones in a variety of ways to see things through the lens of another individual or group of people.

In what ways do arts and culture contribute to your personal well-being and mental health?

For me personally, I thoroughly enjoy landscape photography and have used it for over a decade now as my escape from my normal routine. Not only does it provide me fulfillment and help me balance out the normal stresses of life, it also allows me to explore and document the vast parks and trails in Northeast Ohio.