News & Press

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. ArtsNow Presents—incorporating key priorities from the recent Akron Cultural Plan like public art, placemaking and connection—is […] Read Article

Black Artist Guild will host activist and civil rights leader Lisa Scails 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. The Guild, composed of Black artists serving, […] Read Article

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. Jane Golden has been the driving force of Mural Arts Philadelphia since its inception in 1984, overseeing its growth from […] Read Article

Black artists in Akron are invited to join the Guild and help to co-create the organization and develop initial plans for advocacy, education, and collaboration With initial funding from Knight Foundation and administrative support from ArtsNow, an idea sparked as part of the Akron cultural planning process is coming to life on Feb. 3, 2021. During a community […] Read Article

Summit County artists who have been personally or professionally impacted by the pandemic can apply for support from a $50,000 relief grant that ArtsNow has received from the GAR Foundation.  The Artist Relief Fund will award $500 or $1,000 grants to artists needing work-related supplies, rent for studio or home, equipment or software, housing, childcare or food. […] Read Article

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. The Artist Relief Fund will award $500 or $1,000 grants per person to artists needing work- related supplies, rent for studio or home, equipment or […] Read Article

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced Thursday $650,000 in grants to two small Akron arts and cultural nonprofits, ArtsNow and the Nightlight Cinema, including support to hire new staff at both organizations.  “We’re thrilled about these investments,” said Priya Sircar, arts program director for the Knight Foundation. “With the onset of the pandemic in the spring … […] Read Article

Artists, arts organizations, and the business community are joining the free movement that builds off Black Friday and Small Business Saturday to brand the Sun. after Thanksgiving as the biggest art shopping day of the year. Artists Sunday, a new movement to drive art sales and support the livelihoods of millions of U.S. artists, artisans […] Read Article

As we learned while building the Cultural Plan, arts and culture matter deeply to Summit County residents. However, the economic reality of the pandemic is hitting artists, small business and non-profit organizations hard. In spite of challenges, the sector has a significant role to play in our region’s recovery. Over two years ago, ArtsNow embarked on a cultural […] Read Article

Community volunteer group First Serve is working with ArtsNow and Summit Education Initiative to bring Akron’s North Hill community four new interactive educational activities at several community spaces starting Sept. 13. The educational activities were designed by University of Akron students John Aylward (Arts Administration), Julian Curet (Arts Administration) and Katelynn Olsen (Art History) with […] Read Article