State of the Arts

ArtsNow is thrilled to announce the fifth 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 Patron Recipient:
David Lieberth

David Lieberth has spent more than four decades championing arts and culture in Summit County through philanthropy, advocacy, leadership, and storytelling. An author, producer, documentarian, and historian, David has helped shape Akron’s cultural identity through dozens of initiatives and organizations, including Lock 3, the founding of the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, and the creation of the Akron History Center, while quietly supporting countless artists and organizations along the way.

ArtsNow Visionary Leader Recipient:
Kendra Myers

Kendra Myers is being recognized with the ArtsNow Visionary Leader Award for her leadership, strategic guidance, and lasting impact on ArtsNow and the broader arts and culture sector. A past Treasurer and Board President of ArtsNow, Kendra helped guide the organization through pivotal years of growth while championing arts and culture as essential to a vibrant and resilient Summit County. Through her professional expertise, board leadership, and ongoing advocacy, she continues to strengthen the region’s cultural future. 

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2025 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.