State of the Arts
Thank You for Celebrating With Us!
On October 14, 2026, artists, cultural leaders, community advocates and supporters came together at House Three Thirty for ArtsNow’s fifth annual State of the Arts: Summit County.
Part community report, part celebration and part fundraiser, the evening recognized the people, partnerships and creative investments that help make Summit County a vibrant place to live, work and create.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported the event and continues to champion arts and culture in our community.
Celebrating Our 2026 Honorees
ArtsNow Distinguished Patron Award:
David Lieberth
For more than four decades, David Lieberth has helped shape Akron’s cultural identity through his leadership, advocacy, philanthropy and dedication to preserving and celebrating our community’s history.
ArtsNow Visionary Leader Award:
Kendra Myers
A former ArtsNow Board President and Treasurer, Kendra Myers has played an important role in strengthening ArtsNow and advancing arts and culture throughout Summit County.
We are grateful for their extraordinary contributions to our community.
Relive the Celebration
Thank you for making State of the Arts 2026 an evening to remember! Explore moments from the celebration and the people who continue to inspire our creative community.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
State of the Arts would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and community partners. Thank you for investing in ArtsNow and the future of arts and culture in Summit County.
Legacy Builder Sponsor
Harvey and Kim Nelson
Cultural Champion Sponsors
Creative Partners Sponsors
William F. & Olivia Demas
Jeannine and Steve Marks
Steve Millard
Arts Advocate Sponsors
Lisa King
J. Bret Treier
Laura L. Wallerstein
Don Walters
Keep the Momentum Going
The celebration may be over, but our work continues.
Your support helps ArtsNow champion Summit County’s creative sector, strengthen connections and build a more vibrant community for everyone.