AKRON, OH (October 3, 2024) – ArtsNow is honored to announce the 2024 recipients of its ArtsForward grant program, an initiative that supports Akron/Summit County’s Cultural Plan by advancing its ten key priorities. This year, ArtsNow will distribute over $402,000 in grants to 29 grantees, further empowering the local arts and culture community to bring transformative projects to life.

“ArtsForward is a testament to the power of collaboration and the creativity that thrives in Summit County,” shared Nicole Mullet, Executive Director of ArtsNow. “This year, we had over $1.46 million in requests—highlighting the magnitude of the need for support in our Arts and Culture Sector. This program not only uplifts individual artists and organizations but also strengthens the cultural fabric of our entire community. We are proud to support such transformative projects and look forward to their lasting impact on our region.”

In the program’s first two years, over $852,000 has been awarded to projects that align with the Cultural Plan’s goals, like the Black Excellence Arts Festival and Ballet in the City.

The BE (Black Excellence) Arts Festival, founded in 2023 by artists Stephanie Stewart and Randi Mull, is a community-driven event that showcases Black talent, builds networks, and celebrates cultural experiences. Held annually in late spring at Hardesty Park, it marks the start of the outdoor festival season.

“We are thrilled to continue supporting the incredible talent in Summit County through the ArtsForward program,” said Stewart and Mull.” ArtsForward is meaningful to us because it allows artists to expand their vision beyond what they may be able to do on their own. We encourage others to donate to help make this possible.”

In 2023, Ballet in the City traveled to Scotland to experience Scottish Ballet’s ELEVATE, which is a fully developed ballet and movement program designed specifically for older adults. Ballet in the City is learning from the experts in the UK and bringing this groundbreaking approach to creative movement for physical and mental health for seniors to the US.

Jessica Wallis, Founder and Director of Ballet in the City, expressed how vital ArtsForward has been to her work. “ArtsForward has been beyond empowering. Its support from arts-centric leaders and community members, in addition to the incredible funding, has allowed me to see a program come to fruition that I thought would only ever be a dream. ArtsForward has reinvigorated my enthusiasm for doing important work in Akron and beyond. It will have my lifelong support!”

2024 ArtsForward Grant Recipients Include: 

Akron Honey
Food Cluster Activation

Akron Pops Orchestra
Harmony Through the Ages

Art x Love
Akron Stories

Asian Services in Action
“Dreams of My Homeland” Pilot Project

Autumn Bland
Pandemic Postscripts

City of Barberton
Barberton’s Art Master Plan

Ballet in the City
Silver Steps: Ballet for Seniors

Black Excellence Arts Collective
BE Arts Festival

City of Stow
City of Stow Public Arts Master Plan

Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Complex Chords

Curated Storefront
Artist Residency Program at The I Promise School

Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
Pantone of the Cuyahoga River Project

Global Ties Akron
Global Threads Women Artrepreneurs

City of Green
Green Art & Culture Plan

Hearts for Music Inc.
Special Needs Orchestra Technology Investment

Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival/City of Akron
Pilobolus at Play – Reaching out in Akron

Himalayan Arts Language and Cultural Academy
World on Stage

Hudson Inclusive Playground

MooreDunson Co.
A Day To Remember

Music at Bath Concert Series
To diversify and grow the Music at Bath Concert Series

Northside Marketplace
Maker Sessions at Northside Marketplace

Ohio Shakespeare Festival
Free Student Matinee performances of ROMEO & JULIET

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
JazzFest

The Movement Project
CDF | Akron Concert Series 2025

Theresa Göttl Brightman
40 over 40 A Poetry Anthology

Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners
Art for Conservation: Student Rain Barrel Design and Community Space Beautification

Tuesday Musical
The Concert Truck Rolls Into Town: Redefining the Concert Experience for All

University of Akron Press
Finding a Shell: How to Care for Yourself as a Writer

White Rabbit Galleries
Creative Connections Courses

ArtsForward is made possible thanks to contributions from Akron Community Foundation, GAR Foundation, Ian Patrick Schwarber Foundation, Knight Foundation, Summit DD, Direction Home, Advancing Independence, County of Summit, United Way of Summit & Medina County, ADM Board, County of Summit- CDBG, Peg’s Foundation, Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation.

With two years remaining in the initiative, all donations to ArtsForward will be matched by the Knight Foundation, doubling the impact of community support. 

For more information on the ArtsForward program and how to support the arts in Summit County, visit akronculturalplan.com/artsforward.