Grant History - Akron Community Foundation

Since 2000, Akron Community Foundation has invested more than $10.4 million* in arts and culture programs all over Greater Akron to enrich our collective quality of life.

Nonprofits interested in applying for an Arts & Culture cycle grant can review deadlines and other important information on our Competitive Grants page.

*Supplemented by donor-advised fund co-investment funding

2021 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2021, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $630,500 to 58 nonprofit organizations:

Akron Art Museum, to continue a transformation plan to become a more inclusive and equitable community resource, $50,000
Akron Civic Theatre, to support noncommercial, inclusive, community-based programming, $37,500
Akron Soul Train, to support artist residencies and projects, $8,500
Akron Symphonic Winds, to support free local concerts and music coaching for Akron Public Schools students, $5,000
Akron Symphony Orchestra, to support music education programs and collaborative music outreach initiatives for Summit County students, $16,000
Apollo's Fire the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, to support 2021-22 Summit County concert programming and Community Access Initiative, $10,000
Art Resources Transformations, to exhibit public art in vacant storefront windows and buildings in downtown Akron, $12,500
Art Sparks, to expand peer-based programming for students with developmental disabilities in the Akron Public Schools, $10,000
ArtsNow, to strengthen Summit County by supporting, developing, and advancing its arts and culture assets, $15,000
Ballet Excel Ohio, to support the 2021-22 Reach Out and Dance and scholarship programs, providing Akron Public Schools second-grade students with free in-school dance instruction, $5,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, to support the Akron Public Schools outreach program, "Take me out to the Ballet", $6,000
The Center for Applied Drama and Autism (CADA), for inclusive theater programming during the 2021-22 season, $3,500
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, to support the 2021-22 season at Balch Street Theatre, $5,000
Children's Concert Society of Akron, to support the 2021-22 in-school concert series, an educational video in lieu of in-person concerts, $10,000
City of Akron, to support the 14th annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival in Akron, $40,000
City Hope Akron, to support educational programming and community mural projects for Art Bomb Brigade, $5,000
Cleveland Ballet, to support 2021 Cleveland Ballet performances at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, $5,000
Cleveland International Film Festival, to support Summit County student participation in FilmSlam Streams 2021, $5,000
Crafty Mart, to provide a permanent and sustainable event space where makers can sell, learn and attend workshops, $5,000
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, to host free community exhibitions, offer high-quality visual arts classes, and expand more inclusive partnerships, $5,000
DANCECleveland, to bring world class modern dance to Akron in 2021 featuring Monica Bill Barnes & Company, $10,000
Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, to expand arts-in-education, social development programs that use ballroom dance to improve fifth- and eighth-grade educational experiences, $5,000
Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity, to support a performing arts experience for youth in Akron's socio-economic challenged neighborhoods, $500
Genesis Experience Theatre, to support adult and youth theater education programming, $2,000
GroundWorks DanceTheater, to support Summit County arts programming and educational outreach activities, $10,000
Gum-Dip Theatre, to support "Brokers Without Borders," a new ensemble of young immigrant artists, $5,000
Highland Square Neighborhood Association, to support Akron’s signature events, PorchRokr and the Highland Square Film Festival, $9,000
Himalayan Music Academy, to support refugee and immigrant communities through music, language and dance classes, $7,500
Keepers of the Art Education, to counteract the corporatization and weaponization of rap music, $10,000
Amber D. Kempthorn (Fiscal Agent: Akron Symphony Orchestra), a Knight Arts Challenge grant recipient for a 15-minute animated interpretation of Benjamin Britten’s classical work "Four Sea Interludes," which will be screened in a live performance with the Akron Symphony Orchestra and shared for free at additional Northeast Ohio locations after, $5,000
Les Délices, to support the 2020-2021 season of concerts and outreach programs in Akron, including live chamber music performances with period instruments, $3,000
Magical Theatre Company, to help young people grow socially and emotionally through cultural enrichment by way of the theater, $14,000
Music from The Western Reserve, to offer in-person and virtual concerts through the 2021-22 season, $2,000
Musical Arts Association, to support the 2021 Blossom Music Festival, $20,000
New Horizons Band of Summit and Stark Counties, to offer adults musical education and lessons for string, woodwind, brass or percussion instruments, $4,000
The Nightlight Cinema, to support the exhibition of independent and culturally diverse cinema in downtown Akron, $13,500
None Too Fragile Inc., to support the 2021 Off-Broadway Series, $10,000
Northeast Ohio Center for Choreography, to support research and development in dance through group discussions, dancing labs, residencies, and interactions with world-class artists, $7,500
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, to support the 2021-22 season, including outdoor Shakespeare performances at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens and shows at Greystone Hall, $5,000
OhioDance, to support community engagement for Summit County through educational resources and documentation, $2,500
Open Tone Music, to engage youth in arts and culture through the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, $5,000
Peninsula Foundation, to support the "Voices in the Valley" live music series, which features local and national artists at G.A.R. Hall, $7,000
Project RISE-Akron Public Schools, to support the Performing Arts Can Teach (PACT) program, which provides live theater and performing arts experiences for homeless youth in Akron, $8,500
Rubber City Theatre, to support the 2021-22 season, including plays by Shakespeare and other classic playwrights, workshops, educational experiences, and "pay as you like it" performances for residents, $5,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, for operating support of the historic estate, as well as educational, cultural and recreational programs $40,000
Summit Artspace, to support education, art exhibits and programming, along with resources for local artists, including studio space and workshops, $25,000
Summit Choral Society, to support musical training for children and adults, including the Children's Choir and Choral Scholars programs, $15,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, for operating support, including expanding the organization’s online resources and educational tools, $25,500
Summit County Probate Court, to support diverse, vibrant, local art, inspiring and giving respite in the historic Summit County Courthouse , $5,000
Third Culture Classical, to present public concerts at local homeless shelters, including ACCESS and Haven of Rest Ministries $7,500
Tuesday Musical Association, to support concerts and community engagement activities during the 2021-22 season, $16,000
Verb Ballets, to support free dance performances and educational programs in Summit County, $7,500
Wandering Aesthetics, to support community-driven programming, performances and educational activities for the 2021-22 season, $5,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse, to support the 2020-21 season, including live theater productions, special events and classes, $11,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, to support educational programming at the historic Hale Farm & Village, $20,000
Western Reserve Playhouse, to support the 2020 performance season and Young Artists Theater program, $5,000
Wings Over Cuyahoga Valley, to expand partners, programs and venues for "Wings and Voices of Cuyahoga Valley: How Birds Connect Us to Our Environment," a traveling, multimedia exhibit and programming, $3,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop (YEPAW), to use the arts to engage middle and high school urban youth in activities that provide positive options for developing their talents, skills and self-esteem, $15,000

2020 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2020, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $576,000 to 57 nonprofit organizations:

Akron Art Museum, to enrich lives through modern and contemporary art, $22,500
Akron Civic Theatre, for community-based programming and engagement activities, including free admission tickets for residents in need, $35,000
Akron Municipal Court, to support art therapy for nonviolent specialized docket participants, $2,500
Akron Soul Train, for an artist residency program, which includes workshops, exhibits and resources for artist fellows, $8,000
Akron Symphonic Winds, to support free performances at community events and area schools, $5,000
Akron Symphony, to support music education and outreach, including Concerts for Kids, Gospel Meets Symphony, Youth Symphony coaching, and other programs, $15,000
Apollo's Fire the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, to support concerts and programs for the 2020-21 season, including the Community Access Initiative, which offers economy and free tickets and workshops for community members, $10,000
Art Bomb Brigade, to develop an artist residency and apprenticeship program for mural artists at the University of Akron, $5,000
Art Sparks, for Dynamite Duos, a peer-based dance and music curriculum for Akron Public Schools students with developmental disabilities, $8,500
ArtsNow, to advance Summit County's arts and culture sector through events, partnerships and advocacy, $15,000
Ballet Excel Ohio, to support Reach Out and Dance, which provides free dance instruction and performance opportunities to students in Akron Public Schools, $5,000
Center for Applied Drama and Autism, to support theater-based programming for individuals with autism and other disabilities, $4,500
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, to support performances, workshops and educational activities during the Balch Street Theatre’s 2020-21 season, $5,000
Children's Concert Society of Akron, for the Akron Public Schools In-School Concert Series, which brings free live concert experiences of culturally diverse music to students in an informal, hands-on setting, $11,000
The Cleveland Orchestra, to support the 2020 Blossom Music Festival, featuring family-friendly and classical programs throughout the summer, $1,000
Crafty Mart, to support the Maker Sessions Entrepreneurial Curriculum, which connects artists and creative businesspeople to resources in the community through panel discussions, workshops and networking, $6,000
Curated Storefront, to provide multimedia art window displays in vacant street-level buildings in downtown Akron, $10,000
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, to support exhibits, events and workshops for artists and residents in the Cuyahoga Falls area, $5,000
DANCECleveland, to bring the Los Angeles-based BODYTRAFFIC dance company to Akron for a performance, educational residency, and outreach activities, $10,000
Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, to support a ballroom dancing residency program for Akron Public Schools students that builds self-esteem and promotes social and emotional learning, $5,000
Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership, to support local public art in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, $5,000
Friends of 91.3, to support radio station operations and community service programs, $15,000
GroundWorks DanceTheater, to support performances and outreach activities, including free workshops for young dancers, community and school performances, and residencies, $10,000
Gum-Dip Theatre, to support "Three Countries, One Mother," a multilingual play based on the history and culture of Bhutanese-Nepali Americans, $5,000
Highland Square Neighborhood Association, for arts and engagement programs in Highland Square, including the annual PorchRokr music event and Highland Square Film Festival, $8,500
Himalayan Music Academy, to support refugee and immigrant communities through music, language and dance classes; arts summer camp; and the North Hill Music Festival, $7,500
Inlet Dance Theatre, to support Phase II of "The 'Black Card' Project," which addresses topics of race, equality and bias through performances, workshops and discussions, $5,000
Keepers of the Art Education, to support the 2020-21 Hip-Hop Preservation Project, a series of performances and events designed to counteract the commercialization of hip-hop music, $10,000
Les Délices, to support the 2020-21 season of concerts and outreach programs in Akron, including live chamber music performances with period instruments, $3,000
Magical Theatre Company, to support the 2020-21 season, including resident performances, a kids scriptwriting program, touring plays and educational programs, $12,500
Master Singers Chorale of Northeast Ohio, for operating support for the all-volunteer chorale group and its 2020 programming, $5,000
Music from The Western Reserve, to support a concert music series in downtown Hudson featuring Northeast Ohio musicians, $2,000
The Musical Theater Project, for the Kids Love Musicals! program, which offers musical theater-based programming in special education and traditional Akron Public Schools classrooms, $7,500
National Center for Choreography, to support research and development in dance through group discussions, dancing labs, residencies, and interactions with world-class artists, $7,500
The Nightlight Cinema, to support independent and culturally diverse movies and programming at The Nightlight Cinema, $13,500
None Too Fragile Theatre, to support the 2020 Off-Broadway Series, $10,000
OhioDance, to support the Virtual Dance Collection, an interactive website that documents and preserves the history of dance in Ohio, $1,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, to support the 2020-21 season, including outdoor Shakespeare performances at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens and shows at Greystone Hall, $5,000
Open Tone Music, to provide music education programs for underserved and minority youth in Summit County, $5,000
Peninsula Foundation, to support the "Voices in the Valley" live music series, which features local and national artists at G.A.R. Hall, $7,000
Project RISE, Akron Public Schools, to support the PACT (Performing Arts Can Teach) program, which provides live theater and performing arts experiences for homeless youth in Akron, $8,500
Rubber City Theatre, to support the 2020-21 season, including plays by Shakespeare and other classic playwrights, workshops, educational experiences, and "pay as you like it" performances for residents, $5,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, for operating support of the historic estate, as well as educational, cultural and recreational programs, $41,000
Summit Artspace, to support education, art exhibits and programming, along with resources for local artists, including studio space and workshops, $26,000
Summit Choral Society, to support musical training for children and adults, including the Children's Choir and Choral Scholars programs, $15,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, for operating support, including expanding the organization’s online resources and educational tools, $25,000
Summit County Probate Court, for the Curated Courthouse project, which will display artwork by underserved and diverse artists at the Summit County Courthouse, $5,000
Third Culture Classical, to present public concerts at local homeless shelters, including ACCESS and Haven of Rest Ministries, $7,500
Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners, to support "Wings Over Cuyahoga Valley: How Birds Connect Us to Our Environment," a traveling multimedia and educational art exhibit, $3,000
Tuesday Musical Association, to support concerts and community engagement activities during the 2020-21 season, $16,000
Verb Ballets, to support free dance performances and educational programs in Summit County, $20,000
Wandering Aesthetics, to support community-driven programming, performances and educational activities for the 2020-21 season, $5,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse, to support the 2020-21 season, including live theater productions, special events and classes, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, to support educational programming at the historic Hale Farm & Village, $20,000
Western Reserve Playhouse, to support the 2020 performance season and Young Artists Theater program, $5,000
Western Reserve Public Media, for cultural arts and performance programming on Western Reserve PBS, including local shows, concerts and art-related documentaries, $15,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, to support free virtual academic tutoring, workshops and programming, $15,000

2019 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2019, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $632,500 to 55 nonprofit organizations:

Akron Art Museum, to support community engagement activities through exhibits, education, performances and community partnerships, $60,000
Akron Civic Theatre, for community-based programming and engagement activities, including free admission tickets for residents in need, $31,000
Akron Soul Train, for an artist residency program, which includes workshops, exhibits and resources for artist fellows, $5,000
Akron Symphonic Winds, to support free performances at community events and area schools, $5,000
Akron Symphony, to support music education and outreach, including: Concerts for Kids, Gospel Meets Symphony, Youth Symphony coaching, and other programs, $15,000
Apollo's Fire the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, to support concerts and programs for the 2019-20 season, including the Community Access Initiative, which offers economy and free tickets and workshops for community members, $10,000
Art Sparks, for Dynamite Duos, a peer-based dance and music curriculum for Akron Public Schools students with developmental disabilities, $5,000
ArtsNow, to help advance Summit County's arts and culture sector through events, partnerships and advocacy, $12,500
Ballet Excel Ohio, to support Reach Out and Dance, which provides free dance instruction and performance opportunities to students in Akron Public Schools, $5,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for "Take me out to the Ballet," which offers discounted ballet tickets to students and teachers, along with educational and performance opportunities, $5,500
BLU Jazz+ Masterclass Foundation, to support the Blu Jazz MasterClass Foundation, which includes live performances from jazz masters, along with jam sessions, all-star concerts and educational experiences for students, $5,000
Bounce Innovation Hub, to hire a maker in residence who will provide free business and production advice to members and makerspace users, $10,000
Brass Band of the Western Reserve, to support the 2019-20 concert season, $2,500
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, to support performances, workshops and educational activities during the Balch Street Theatre’s 2019-20 season, $7,500
Children's Concert Society of Akron, for the Akron Public Schools In-School Concert Series, which brings free live concert experiences of culturally diverse music to students in an informal, hands-on setting, $10,000
City of Akron, to support the 13th annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival in Akron, which offers free dance performances in community parks during the summer, $50,000
Crafty Mart, to support the Maker Sessions Entrepreneurial Curriculum, which connects artists and creative business people to resources in the community through panel discussions, workshops and networking, $5,000
Curated Storefront, to help provide multimedia art window displays in vacant street-level buildings in downtown Akron, $7,500
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, to support exhibits, events and workshops for artists and residents in the Cuyahoga Falls area, $5,000
DANCECleveland, to bring New York City-based Parsons Dance company to Akron for a performance, educational residency and outreach initiatives, $10,000
Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, to support a residency program for local students that combines ballroom dancing with curriculum-based teaching, to help build self-esteem and promote social and emotional learning, $5,000
F Rated Inc., to support Bechdel Fest, a downtown Akron film festival that addresses gender inequality in cinema, $2,500
Friends of 91.3, to support radio station operations and community service programs, $13,000
Girls Rock Camp Akron, for a weeklong music experience for Summit County girls ages 10 to 16, including forming a band, writing songs and performing on stage, $1,500
GroundWorks DanceTheater, to support performances and outreach, like free workshops for young dancers, community and school performances and residencies, $10,000
Highland Square Neighborhood Association, for arts and engagement programs in Highland Square, like the annual PorchRokr music event and an Akron-centric film festival, $7,500
Inlet Dance Theatre, to support Phase II of "The 'Black Card' Project," which addresses topics of race, equality and bias through performances, workshops and discussions, $5,000
Keepers of the Art Education, to support the 2019 Hip-Hop Preservation Project, a series of events, including concerts, lectures, films, discussions, workshops and exhibits to counteract the commercialization of hip-hop music, $10,000
Les Délices, to support the 2019-20 season in Akron, featuring live chamber music, $2,500
Magical Theatre Company, for support of the 2019-20 season, including resident performances, a kids' script-writing program, touring plays and educational programs, $13,500
Master Singers Chorale of Northeast Ohio, for operating support of the all-volunteer chorale group, including performances like a "Messiah Sing," $5,000
Music from The Western Reserve, for operating support, including a six-concert music series in Hudson featuring Northeast Ohio musicians, $1,500
Musical Arts Association, to support the 2019 Blossom Music Festival, with family-friendly and classical programs throughout the summer, in partnership with the Cleveland Orchestra, $26,500
Musical Theater Project, for the Kids Love Musicals! program, which offers musical theater-based programming in special education and traditional Akron Public Schools classrooms, $7,500
National Center for Choreography, for support of research and development in dance through group discussions, interactions with artists and the choreography process, $10,000
The Nightlight Cinema, to support independent and culturally diverse movies and programming at the Nightlight cinema, $10,000
None Too Fragile Theatre, to support the 2019 Off-Broadway Series, including six productions, $7,500
North Coast Men's Chorus, to provide outreach and support to LGBTQ+ college students, including complimentary tickets to concerts, along with LGBTQ+-related activities, $5,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, to support the 2019-20 season, including outdoor Shakespeare performances at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens and shows at Greystone Hall, $5,000
Open Tone Music, to support the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, a free event that features local and national jazz performers in multiple venues throughout downtown Akron, along with music instruction for local children, $5,000
Partners for Theater Inc., for Summit StageFest, an outdoor theater festival in Akron's Highland Square neighborhood, $5,000
Peninsula Foundation Inc., to support the "Voices in the Valley" Music Series, which features local and national artists at G.A.R. Hall, $7,000
Rubber City Theatre, to support the 2019-20 season, including plays by Shakespeare and other classic playwrights, workshops, educational experiences and "pay as you like it" performances for residents, $5,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, for operating support of the historic estate, as well as educational, cultural and recreational programs, $41,000
Summit Artspace, to support education, art exhibits and programming, along with resources for local artists, including studio space and workshops, $25,000
Summit Choral Society Inc., to support musical training for children and adults, including the Children's Choir and Choral Scholars programs, $15,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, for operating support, including events and programming, along with costs associated with the John Brown House and Perkins Stone Mansion, $25,000
Tuesday Musical Association, to support the opening concert of the 2019-20 MainStage season, with guitarist Jason Vieaux and violinist Adam Barnett-Hart, $15,000
Verb Ballets, to support performances, including the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival and Tuesday Musical events, along with dance and senior wellness programs, $7,500
Wandering Aesthetics, for Bigger Than A Breadbox, a recurring vaudeville-style variety show, $5,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse, to support the 2019-20 season, including six main stage shows, special events and classes, along with opportunities for local artists, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for place-based field experiences, like learning programs surrounding the historic Hale Farm and Village, $21,000
Western Reserve Playhouse, to support the 2019 Season, $5 Bucks Series and Young Artists' Theater shows, $5,000
Western Reserve Public Media, for cultural arts and performance programming shown on Western Reserve PBS, including local shows, concerts and art-related documentaries, $10,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, to support the Summer Intensive Workshop and year-round Leadership Arts Academy, including leadership development sessions, performances and volunteer experiences, $16,000

2018 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2018, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $616,000 to 51 nonprofit organizations:

Akron Art Museum, to support community engagement activities through exhibits, education, performances, health and wellness events, and outdoor programming in the Bud and Susie Rogers Garden, $60,000
Akron Civic Theatre, for community-based programming, free admission tickets for residents in need, and a planned restoration project -- including new performance space, staff offices and a new box office and elevator -- at the Akron Civic Theatre, $36,000
Akron Public Schools –Project Rise, to support Performing Arts Can Teach (PACT), a theater-based enrichment program for Akron Public Schools students experiencing homelessness, $11,000
Akron Soul Train, to support fellowships for local artists, including exhibitions of their work, $5,000
Akron Symphony, to support music education and outreach, including Concerts for Kids, Gospel Meets Symphony and Akron Youth Symphony, $16,000
Apollo's Fire the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, to support concerts and programs for the 2018-19 season, including the Community Access Initiative, which offers discounted and free tickets to community members, $10,000
Art Sparks, for Dynamite Duos, a peer-based dance and music program for Akron Public Schools students with developmental disabilities, $7,000
Artists of Rubber City, to provide resources for local visual artists, including gallery exhibits, educational workshops and networking events, $2,000
Arts Now, to advance Summit County's arts and culture sector through events, partnerships and advocacy, $10,000
Ballet Excel Ohio, to support Reach Out and Dance, a 25-week program that provides free dance instruction to elementary and middle school special education students in Akron Public Schools, $5,500
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, to support "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $6,000
BLU Jazz+ Masterclass Foundation, to support the Master Class Program, which includes live performances from jazz masters and educational experiences for students, $6,000
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, to support performances, workshops and educational activities during the Balch Street Theatre’s 2018-19 season, $5,000
Children’s Concert Society, for the Akron Public Schools In-School Concert Series, which brings live concert experiences of culturally diverse music to students in an informal, hands-on setting, $12,000
City of Akron, for the annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, which offers free dance performances in Akron parks, $50,000
Crafty Mart, to support the Maker Sessions Entrepreneurial Curriculum, which connects artists and creative business people to resources in the community through panel discussions, workshops and networking, $3,000
Crossroads Writers Conference, to support a writers conference in Akron, where national, regional and local writing professionals can connect, $5,000
The Curated Storefront, to support window art displays in vacant street-level buildings in downtown Akron, $5,000
DANCECleveland, to bring modern dance company Abraham.In.Motion to Akron for an educational residency program and performance, $10,000
ETC All American Youth Show Choir Inc., for the 2018 ETC Summer Show Choir Camp, a free five-day performance camp for 70 low-income middle school students, $1,000
Friends of 91.3, to support radio station operations and community service programs, $12,500
Girls Rock Camp Akron, for a weeklong music experience for Summit County girls ages 10-16, including forming a band, writing songs and performing at the Akron Civic Theatre, $1,500
GroundWorks DanceTheater, to support performances and outreach, including free workshops for young dancers, community and school performances, and 20th anniversary programming, $10,000
Himalayan Music Academy, for operating support, including music, dance and language classes for community members, and for the North Hill Music Festival, $3,000
The Illusion Factory, to support free children’s theater performances for Akron Public Schools students in kindergarten through eighth grade, $9,000
Keepers of the Art, to support the Hip-Hop Preservation Project, which features concerts, lectures, films, discussions, workshops and exhibits that counteract the commercialization of hip-hop music, $10,000
Les Délices, for the Experience Early Music in Akron program, a four-part chamber music concert series that includes community outreach performances for at-risk children and adults, $2,000
Magical Theatre Company, for operating support, including resident performances, a children’s script-writing program, touring plays and educational programs, $12,500
Master Singers Inc., to support performance costs for the all-volunteer chorale’s 2017 concert season, $5,000
Ma'Sue Productions, to support in-school and public performances of "Or Does It Explode?", a show about the experiences of young African-American men in the 21st century, $2,500
Miami Foundation Inc., to support a mural project in the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services building in downtown Akron, $5,000
Music from The Western Reserve, for operating support, including a six-concert music series in Hudson featuring Northeast Ohio musicians, $2,000
The Musical Arts Association, to support Blossom Music Festival’s 50th anniversary with 19 family-friendly and classical programs throughout the summer, $36,000
The Musical Theater Project, for the Kids Love Musicals! program, which brings musical theater-based programming to special education and traditional Akron Public Schools classrooms, $8,500
National Center for Choreography, to support dance research and development through residencies, guest artists and inclusive community programming, $10,000
The Nightlight Cinema, to support independent and foreign language arthouse movies, $10,000
None Too Fragile Theater, for the 2018 Off-Broadway Series, including support for "Boogieban," a production about PTSD, $5,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, to support the 2018-19 season, including outdoor Shakespeare performances at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens and shows at Greystone Hall, $5,000
Open Tone Music LLC, to support the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, a free event that features local and national jazz performers in multiple venues throughout downtown Akron, $3,500
Partners for Theater Inc., for Summit StageFest, an outdoor theater festival in Akron's Highland Square neighborhood, $3,000
Rubber City Theatre, to support the 2018-19 season, including plays by Shakespeare and other classic playwrights, workshops, educational experiences, and "pay as you like it" performances for residents, $5,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, for operating support for the historic estate, as well as educational, cultural and recreational programs, $45,000
Summit Artspace, for operating support, including exhibitions showcasing the work of local artists, $25,000
Summit Choral Society, to support musical training for children and adults, including the Children's Choir and Choral Scholars programs, $15,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, for operating support for the John Brown House and Perkins Stone Mansion, $21,000
Tuesday Musical Association, to support the 2018-19 season’s opening concert with pianist Joyce Yang, along with an artist talk and local school visits, $15,000
Verb Ballets, for Summit County performances and outreach, including the creation of "The Jungle Book" children’s ballet, $7,500
Weathervane Community Playhouse, to support the 2018-19 season, including six main stage shows, special events and classes, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, to support hands-on educational programming at the historic Hale Farm and Village, $21,000
Western Reserve Public Media, for cultural arts and performance programming on Western Reserve PBS, including local shows, concerts and art-related documentaries, $15,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, for operational support, including a summer residential workshop for students and a year-round leadership academy, $15,000

2017 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2017, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $565,000 to 46 nonprofit organizations:

Akron Art Museum, to support community engagement activities through exhibits, educational programming, performances, and health and wellness events, $60,000
Akron Civic Theatre, for community-based programming, and to support the All Access Program, which will distribute 7,000 free tickets to residents in need, $30,000
Akron Creative Inc., to support independent and foreign language art house movies at the Nightlight Cinema, $7,500
Akron Public Schools –Project Rise, to support Performing Arts Can Teach (PACT), a theater-based enrichment program for Akron Public Schools students experiencing homelessness, $9,000
Akron Soul Train, to support phase one of building a residential artists' village, which includes a fellows' studio, exhibition hall and public amenities for events, $12,500
Akron Symphony, to support music education and outreach, including Concerts for Kids, Gospel Meets Symphony and Akron Youth Symphony, $25,000
Art Sparks, to support dance education programming at local schools and Summit County Head Start locations through in-school partnerships, residencies, workshops and performances, $5,000
Arts Now, to advance Summit County's arts and culture sector through events, partnerships and advocacy, $20,000
Ballet Excel Ohio, to support Reach Out and Dance, a 25-week program that provides free dance instruction to elementary and middle school special education students in Akron Public Schools, $5,000
BLU Jazz+, to support the Master Class Program, which includes live performances from jazz masters and educational experiences for students, $5,000
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, to support the 2017-18 season, which will feature a lineup of alternative theater performances, along with workshops, actor training sessions and classes, $5,000
Children’s Concert Society, for the Akron Public Schools In-School Concert Series, which brings live concert experiences of culturally diverse music to students in an informal, hands-on setting, $10,000
City of Akron, to support the 11th annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, a series of four weekends of free professional ballet performances in Akron parks during the summer, $50,000
Crafty Mart, to support the Maker Sessions, which include panel discussions, workshops and networking for creative business people, $2,500
DANCECleveland, to support the Koresh Dance Company weeklong educational residency, which includes a main stage dance performance, community master class and creation of a performance for the Akron Art Museum, $10,000
Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, for a ballroom dancing program that teaches Akron Public Schools students teamwork, self-confidence, tolerance and respect, $5,000
Friends of 91.3, to support radio station operations and community service programs, $12,500
Girls Rock Camp Akron, for a weeklong music experience for Summit County girls ages 10-16, including forming a band, writing songs and performing at the Akron Civic Theatre, $3,000
GroundWorks DanceTheater, to support performances and outreach, including artist residencies, masterclasses and educational school programs, $10,000
The Illusion Factory, to support free theater productions in Akron-area schools, $7,500
Keepers of the Art, to support the Hip-Hop Preservation Project, which features concerts, lectures, films, discussions, workshops and exhibits that counteract the commercialization of hip-hop music, $10,000
Made-Up with Danny Volk, for The Akron Sessions, a video series in which artist Danny Volk interviews eight are a artists about their work while they apply his makeup, $2,500
Magical Theatre Company, for operating support, including resident performances, a children's script writing program, teacher study guides and local school visits, $12,500
Master Singers Inc., to support performance costs for the all-volunteer chorale’s 2017 concert season, $5,000
The Musical Arts Association, to support the 2017 Blossom Music Festival and Sound for the Centennial Campaign, $35,000
The Musical Theater Project, for the Kids Love Musicals! program, which offers musical theater-based programming in special education and traditional Akron Public Schools classrooms, $8,500
National Center for Choreography, for support of a center that offers research and development in dance through group discussions, interactions with artists and the choreography process, $5,000
Neos Dance Theatre, to support Lose Your Marbles, a dance-centric fringe festival that pays homage to Akron as the birthplace of mass-produced toy marbles, $5,000
None Too Fragile Theater, to support the 2017 Off Broadway Series, including five Ohio premieres and one Akron premiere in a black box theater, $5,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, to support an expanded 2017-18 season, including outdoor Shakespeare performances at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens and shows at Greystone Hall, $4,000
Open Tone Music LLC, to support the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, a free event that features both national and local jazz performers in multiple venues throughout downtown Akron, $3,000
Peninsula Foundation, for the Voices in the Valley music program, a series of music performances at G.A.R. Hall in Peninsula, $3,500
RED Company real.edge.dance, to support the dance company's seventh season, including performances with community dancers, nursing home outreach, apprentice training and an anti-bullying educational program, $5,000
Rubber City Theatre, to support the 2017-18 season, including plays by Shakespeare and other classic playwrights, summer camps, fall and spring classes, a youth show and a teacher's institute, $4,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, for operating support of the historic estate, as well as educational, cultural and recreational programs, $40,000
Summit Artspace, for exhibits showcasing the work of local artists, and to support education and programming for community members, $20,000
Summit Choral Society, to support musical training for children and adults, including the Children's Choir and Choral Scholars programs, $10,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, for operating support to maintain historic properties that belonged to the Perkins family, $20,000
Tuesday Musical Association, to support the "Prelude" concert in September, which celebrates the organization's 130th anniversary, $12,500
Verb Ballets, to support the "An Evening of Premieres" 30th anniversary dance performance at Akron Civic Theatre, which will showcase different styles of dance, from classical ballet to contemporary, $5,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse, for the 2017-18 performance season, including main stage shows, black box productions, and the Emerging Artist Series, $10,000
West Hill Neighborhood Organization, to build a stage at Oakdale Pocket Park for neighborhood dance events and small band concerts, $2,500
Western Reserve Historical Society, to support hands-on educational programming at Hale Farm & Village, $10,000
Western Reserve Public Media, for cultural arts and performance programming on Western Reserve PBS, including local shows, concerts and art-related documentaries, $15,000
WynnStarr Productions LLC, for the creation of "If This Wallpaper Could Talk," an Akron history book, $2,500
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, for operational support, including a summer arts residency for students, a leadership and arts academy, and weekend arts workshops, $15,000

2016 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2016, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $569,500 to 45 nonprofit organizations:

Akron Area Arts Alliance, to implement improvements identified in the recent countywide arts assessment, including upgrading gallery and event spaces, promoting wider community use of the Summit Artspace building, and offering relevant programming to a greater range of ages and ethnicities, $15,000
Akron Art Museum, to provide operating support and enhanced programming, including events in the museum’s new public space, the Bud and Susie Rogers Garden, $60,000
Akron Civic Theatre, to support the 2016-17 season of community-based and in-house programming, and for the All Access Program, which provides 6,000 free tickets for social service agencies to give to economically disadvantaged individuals and families, $30,000
Akron Creative Inc., to share experiences of The Nightlight’s cinemagoers and offer Skype-based question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers alongside movie screenings, $7,500
Akron Public Schools – Project RISE, for the Performing Arts Can Teach (PACT) program, which gives children and families who are experiencing homelessness access to musicals, plays and dance performances, $9,000
Akron Symphony, for a summer music camp, youth orchestra coaching, Concerts for Kids series, and the annual Gospel Meets Symphony production at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, $25,000
Akron Woman’s City Club/Coach House Theatre, to support 2016-17 programming, including free Elder Theatre productions for Akron-area senior citizens, $2,500
Apollo’s Fire, to support the 2016-17 season of baroque and crossover programming in Summit County, including concerts and pre-concert talks, and a new collaboration with the Akron Art Museum to offer concerts throughout the museum, $14,500
Art Sparks, to expand a dance-focused kindergarten readiness program in Summit County Head Start locations and a dance curriculum focused on health and self-confidence in Akron Public Schools, $7,500
ArtsNow, to build the arts and culture sector by connecting arts groups and individual artists to the broader community, $20,000
Ballet Excel Ohio, for the Reach Out and Dance program, which embeds professional dance instructors for year-long sessions, workshops and after-school classes in Akron Public Schools’ elementary and middle school classrooms, $5,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a 16-year collaboration with Akron Public Schools to bring grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $5,000
Big Love Network, for Akron City Repair, which will conduct creative placemaking projects, like public art and community gardens, in neighborhoods throughout Akron, $5,000
Cascade Locks Park Association, for the redevelopment of the Mustill Store Museum along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail north of downtown, $12,000
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, for performances, workshops and educational activities during the Balch Street Theatre’s 2016-17 season, $5,000
Central Summit County Choral Society, to support the Summit Children’s Choir, a vocal and musical education program for students in first through 12th grade, and for Masterworks Chorale, a multi-generational singing ensemble, $10,000
Children’s Concert Society, for the In-School Concert Series, which introduces more than 30,000 students to diverse types of live music, $10,000
City of Akron, for the annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, which offers free dance performances in Akron parks, $50,000
Crafty Mart, for Cottage Mart, a three-week pop-up market of local artisans using the cottages in Lock 3 during Winter Fest, $2,500
DANCECleveland, to bring the world-renowned Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company to Akron for a public performance and community residency that will feature company members in master and college classes, receptions, open rehearsals and more, $10,000
Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, for a ballroom dancing program for fifth- and eighth-grade students that teaches teamwork, self-confidence and respect, $5,000
Friends of 91.3, to continue the development and implementation of community-service programming, such as Rock and Recovery and KIDJAM!, as well as a new streaming channel, The 330, which will feature exclusively local and regional music, $12,500
GroundWorks Dance Theater, for Summit County performances at the Akron-Summit County Public Library and E.J. Thomas Hall; appearance at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival; educational programs for children; master classes; and other outreach activities, $10,000
The Illusion Factory, to support free theater productions in Akron-area schools, $10,000
Keepers of the Art Inc., for the 2016 Keepers of the Art Music Concert Series at the Akron Art Museum, $10,000
Longwood Manor Historical Society, to restore Longwood Manor in Macedonia and convert it into a historic museum, $3,000
Magical Theatre Company, to engage young people in theater through community-wide performances, student script writing, after-school and summer workshops, and interactive study guides, $12,500
Master Singers Inc., for the all-volunteer, non-audition chorale’s 2016 concert season, $5,000
The Musical Arts Association, to support the 2016 Blossom Music Festival & Sound for the Centennial Campaign, $35,000
The Musical Theater Project, for Kids Love Musicals!, a four-week in-school artist residency program for students in special education classrooms at Akron Public Schools, $5,000
None Too Fragile Theater, for its 2016 Off-Broadway series of plays, $5,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, for outdoor productions of Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" and "Macbeth" at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, as well as an original play called "Robin Hood: An Adventure, with Music," $5,000
Open Tone Music LLC, for the Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival that will take place in downtown Akron in August, $3,000
RED Company real.edge.dance, to support the modern dance company’s sixth season of performances, $5,000
Rubber City Shakespeare Company, to engage local residents in classical theater through acting workshops and touring productions, $2,500
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, for general operations to help preserve and share the historic estate, which serves as a resource for educational, cultural and recreational enrichment, $40,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, to support the organization’s work in preserving and interpreting the history of Summit County and Akron, $20,000
Tuesday Musical Association, to support the 2016-17 main stage season opening-night concert featuring the Emerson String Quartet, $12,500
Urban Vision, for a free after-school ballet program that offers technique classes to elementary and middle school girls in North Hill, $3,000
Verb Ballets, for the company’s 30th anniversary performances, including the spring 2017 performance at Akron Civic Theatre, $5,000
Wandering Aesthetics, for "Bigger Than a Breadbox," an open mic-style cabaret performance series that will tour neighborhoods throughout Akron with performances that reflect the uniqueness of each location, $5,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse, for the 2016-17 season of plays, musicals and young actor productions, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, to support educational programming at Hale Farm & Village, $10,000
Western Reserve Public Media, to support cultural arts and performance programming such as "Austin City Limits," "Great Performances," "Masterpiece" and "PBS Arts Showcase," $15,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, to introduce minority youth to the arts through after-school, weekend and summer enrichment programs, $15,000

2015 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2015, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $557,000 to 39 nonprofit organizations:

Actors Summit, to support seven plays during the 2015-16 season, ranging from classic American dramas to contemporary comedies to musicals, $5,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, to implement improvements identified in the recent countywide arts assessment, including upgrading gallery and event spaces, promoting wider community use of the Summit Artspace building, and offering relevant programming to a greater range of ages and ethnicities, $15,000
Akron Art Museum, to provide operating support for the museum and its enhanced programming, including free school tours for young children, film premieres, lectures, artist gallery talks and concerts, $50,000
Akron Civic Theatre, to support the 2015-16 season of community-based and in-house programming, and for the All Access Program, which provides 5,000 free tickets for social service agencies to give to economically disadvantaged individuals and families, $30,000
Akron Public Schools – Project RISE, for the Performing Arts Can Teach (PACT) program, which gives children and families who are experiencing homelessness access to musicals, plays and dance performances, $9,000
Akron Symphony, for a summer music camp, youth orchestra coaching, Concerts for Kids series, and the annual Gospel Meets Symphony production at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, $37,000
Akron Woman’s City Club/Coach House Theatre, to support 2015-16 programming, including free Elder Theatre productions for Akron-area senior citizens, $2,500
Apollo’s Fire, to support the 2015-16 season of baroque and crossover programming in Summit County, including an opera, Italian street theater music, and young artist concerts, $12,000
Art Sparks, to expand a dance-focused kindergarten readiness program in Summit County Head Start locations, $7,000
Arts in Stark, to bring to Akron the Northeast Ohio Genius Project, which uses creative art and science competitions to improve student test scores and revitalize local neighborhoods, $11,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $5,000
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, for performances, workshops and educational activities during the Balch Street Theatre’s 2015-16 season, $2,500
Central Summit County Choral Society, to support the Summit Children’s Choir, a vocal and musical education program for students in first through 12^th grade, and for Masterworks Chorale, a multi-generational singing ensemble, $8,000
Children’s Concert Society, for the In-School Concert Series, which introduces more than 30,000 students to diverse types of live fine music, $10,000
City of Akron, for the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, which offers free dance performances in Akron parks, $50,000
The Cleveland Orchestra, to support the 2015 Blossom Music Festival and the Sound for the Centennial Campaign, $35,000
Community Hall Foundation, for an arts and culture engagement initiative in Summit County that aims to build relationships between local arts groups and businesses, as well as create a clearinghouse for arts and culture event information, $20,000
DANCECleveland, to bring the world-renowned Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal to Akron for a public performance and community residency that will feature company members in master and college classes, receptions, open rehearsals and more, $10,000
Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, for a ballroom dancing program for fifth- and eighth-grade students that teaches teamwork, self-confidence and respect, $5,000
Friends of 91.3, to increase organizational sustainability through brand expansion, enhanced membership and fundraising initiatives, and ongoing technology investments, $12,500
GroundWorks Dance Theater, for Summit County performances at the Akron-Summit County Public Library and the Stage Door Series at E.J. Thomas Hall; educational programs for children; master classes; and other outreach activities, $10,000
The Illusion Factory, to support free theater productions in Akron-area schools, $10,000
Keepers of the Art Inc., for the 2015 Keepers of the Art Music Concert Series at the Akron Art Museum, $10,000
Magical Theatre Company, to engage young people in theater through community-wide performances, student script writing, after-school and summer workshops, and interactive study guides, $20,000
Master Singers Inc., for the all-volunteer, non-audition chorale’s 2015-16 concert season, $5,000
Neos Dance Theatre, for two new performances at Akron Civic Theatre that will creatively incorporate video and animation into the choreography, $5,000
The Nightlight, to renovate an exhibition space in the theater that will increase audience capacity by 80 percent, $5,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, for outdoor productions of Shakespeare’s "Much Ado about Nothing" and "Henry V" at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, $5,000
RED Company real.edge.dance, for general operating support for the modern dance company’s fifth season ofperformances and the development of its educational dance center in Akron,$2,500
Rubber City Shakespeare Company, to engage local residents in classical theater through acting workshops and touring productions, $2,500
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, for general operations, and for restoration projects as part of the 100^thanniversary capital campaign, $55,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, to support the organization’s work in preserving and interpreting the history of Summit County and Akron, $23,000
Tuesday Musical Association, to support the opening-night concert featuring the Escher String Quartet, $10,000
Urban Visions Ministry, to expand its free after-school ballet program to include at-risk girls in theNorth Hill neighborhood, $2,500
Verb Ballets, for a special tribute performance celebrating the 90^th birthday of famed choreographer Heinz Poll, $5,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse, for the 2015-16 season of plays, musicals and young actor productions, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, to support educational programming at Hale Farm & Village, $10,000
Western Reserve Public Media, to support cultural arts and performance programming such as American Masters, Great Performances, Masterpiece and PBS Arts Showcase, $15,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, to introduce minority youth to the arts through after-school, weekend and summer enrichment programs, $15,000

2014 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2014, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $824,844 to 37 nonprofit organizations:

Actors Summit, to support seven plays during the 2014-15 season, ranging from classic American dramas to contemporary comedies to musicals, $5,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for 12-15 annual exhibitions, free arts workshops, Artwalk programming, public programs and artist receptions, and a self-study process of the organization as a response to the countywide arts assessment, $20,000
Akron Art Museum, to provide operating support for the museum and its enhanced programming such as yoga in the galleries, film premieres, lectures, artist gallery talks and programming for young children, $50,000
Akron Civic Theatre, to support the 2014-15 season of community-based and in-house programming, and for the All Access Program, which provides 5,000 free tickets for social services agencies to give to economically disadvantaged individuals and families, $20,000
Akron Independent Film Festival Inc., for a film exhibition at The Nightlight Cinema, Akron’s independent movie theater set to open in mid-2014, $5,000
Akron Symphony, for a summer music camp, youth orchestra coaching, Concerts for Kids series and the annual Gospel Meets Symphony production at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, $60,000
Akron Woman’s City Club/Coach House Theatre, to support 2014-15 programming, which will include elder-focused productions and a combined deaf/hearing production in conjunction with Kent State University’s American Sign Language department, $2,500
Apollo’s Fire, for the 20^th anniversary season in Summit County of baroque concertsand programming, $12,000
Artists of Rubber City, to publish a book featuring the talents of Ohio’s contemporary artists, $1,100
Arts Sparks, for a kindergarten readiness program centered on dance and music, $5,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $10,000
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, for performances, workshops and educational activities during the Balch Street Theatre’s 2014-15 season, $2,500
Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children’s Choir, a vocal and musical education program for local children ages 6 to 8, $30,000
Children’s Concert Society, to build capacity for the Concert Hall Series through a pilot program that takes kids to the theater and for the In-School Concert Series, which introduces more than 30,000 students to diverse types of live music, $20,000
Christian Fellowship Basketball League, for Project Yes I Can, an 8-week program for inner city youth to improve and enhance musical talent, $2,500
City of Akron, for the 40^th year of the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, which offers free dance performances in Akron parks, $50,000
The Cleveland Orchestra, to support the 2014 Blossom Music Festival and the Sound for the Centennial Campaign, $35,000
DANCECleveland, to bring the renowned Aspen Santa Fe Ballet to Akron for a public performance and community residency that will feature company members in master and college classes, receptions, open rehearsals and more, $10,000
ETC School of the Musical Arts, to help qualified students in financial need participate in musical education, performance training and performance opportunities, $8,100
Friends of 91.3, to increase organizational sustainability through brand expansion, enhanced membership and fundraising initiatives, and ongoing technology investments, $12,500
Friends of Historic Glendale Cemetery, to support the cemetery’s 175^thanniversary community celebration and historical education events, $10,000
GroundWorks DanceTheater, for Summit County performances at the Selle Generator Complex and the Stage Door Series at E.J. Thomas Hall; educational programs for children; master classes; and other outreach activities, $10,000
Keepers of the Art Inc., for the 2014 Keepers of the Art Music Showcase of hip-hop and soul music at Lock 3, $10,000
Kent State University Foundation Inc., to support "Encouraging New Voices," a collaborative initiative between the university’s Wick Poetry Center and Akron Public Schools to increase literacy among students, $33,472
Magical Theatre Company, for theater performances and a capital campaign to improve the facility, $50,000
Master Singers Inc., for theall-volunteer, non-audition chorale’s 2014-15 concert season, $3,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, for outdoor productions of Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night" and "Henry IV, Part 1" at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, $5,000
ProjectRISE -Akron Public Schools, for the Performing Arts Can Teach (PACT) program, which gives children and families who are experiencing homelessness access to musicals, plays and dance performances, $9,000
RED Company real.edge.dance, for general operating support for the modern dance company’s fourth season of performances and the development of its educational arts center in Akron, $2,500
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, for general operations, programs and the capital campaign to restore key areas of the facilities as the estate prepares for its centennial in 2015, $55,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, to support the organization’s 90^thanniversary of preserving and interpreting the history of Summit County and Akron, $15,000
Tuesday Musical Association, to support the Time for Three and Joshua Bell concerts, $15,000
Verb Ballets, for Summit County dance performances, including those at the Akron Civic Theatre, Gay Games 9, area schools, the Akron Art Museum and the Akron-Summit County Public Library, $5,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse, for its 80th anniversary 2014-15 season of plays, musicals, young actor productions and the 10-Minute Play Festival, $11,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, to support educational programming and preservation at Hale Farm & Village, $12,500
Western Reserve Public Media, to support cultural arts and performance programming such as American Masters, Great Performances, Masterpiece and PBS Arts Showcase, $15,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, to support the Summer Intensive Workshop that introduces approximately 300 youth to the arts, $10,000

2013 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2013, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $443,500 to 30 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions: The Illusion Factory, for theater productions that stress the importance of children telling the truth, including "The Untold Story of the Three Little Pigs," "The Lincoln Project," and "The Emperor's New Clothes," $10,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for Summit Artspace exhibitions, free arts workshops, public programs and artist receptions, and to improve artists' exhibit walls, $17,500
Akron Art Museum, to provide operating support for exhibitions, educational programming, and collaborations that address the cultural needs of those who live and work locally, $50,000
Apollo's Fire: The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, for subscription and outreach programs that introduce audiences to neglected masterpieces through fresh interpretations, $12,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with the Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $5,000
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, for performances, workshops and educational activities during the Balch Street Theatre’s 2013-14 season, $2,500
Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children’s Choir, a vocal and musical education program for local 6-8 year-olds, $8,000
Children's Concert Society of Akron, for the In-school Concert Series, which introduces approximately 34,000 students to diverse types of live fine music, $10,000
Cleveland Modern Dance Association: DANCECleveland, for BalletX’s Akron performance, residency and pre- and post-show receptions and talks, $10,000
Coach House Theatre, for the Elder Theatre series that features four elder-focused plays for senior centers and retirement facilities, $2,500
Community Hall Foundation, Inc. - Akron Civic Theatre, for the 2013-14 season of in-house programming, including community-based productions like the All-City Musical featuring performers from public and private high schools throughout Summit County, $20,000
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, to replace a 21-year-old roof at the Cuyahoga Falls facility, $5,000
Greater Akron Musical Association, Inc., for a summer music camp, youth orchestra coaching, Concert for Kids series and the annual Gospel Meets Symphony production at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, $35,000
GroundWorks DanceTheater, for collaboration with choreographers on new works, and for performances, workshops, master classes and open rehearsals at the University of Akron, $10,000
Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, for the 39th year of free dance performances in Akron parks, $50,000
Keepers of the Art, Inc., for the Akron Hip-hop and Neo-soul Music Showcase at Lock 3, $10,000
Magical Theatre Company, to engage young people in the arts through after-school classes, workshops, summer camps and age-appropriate on- and off-site performances, $10,000
Master Singers, Inc. Chorale, for the all-volunteer, non-audition chorale’s 2013-14 concert season, $5,000
Musical Arts Association dba The Cleveland Orchestra, for the 2013 Blossom Music Festival and the Sound for the Centennial Campaign, $35,000
Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio, Inc., for cultural arts and performance programming on Western Reserve PBS, $15,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, for the 2013 summer season of plays performed on the grounds of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, $8,000
Project RISE, Akron Public Schools, for the Performing Arts Can Teach (PACT) program that offers children and families experiencing homelessness access to the arts, $9,000
RED Company real.edge.dance, to support the modern dance company's third season of performances and outreach locally, $5,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, for educational and historical programming, $40,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, for John Brown House and Summit Hall of Honor open houses and events, $10,000
Tuesday Musical Association, for the 2013-14 opening night concert featuring Cantus, an all-male vocal ensemble, $10,000
Verb Ballets, for Summit County performances at such venues as the Akron Civic Theatre, Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival and Tuesday Musical Association, $4,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse, for the 2013-14 season, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for educational programming at Hale Farm & Village, $10,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, to introduce urban youth to the arts while developing leadership, teamwork and performance skills through the 2013 summer workshop, $15,000

2012 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2012, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $464,000 to 34 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, for theater productions in Akron-area schools, $10,000
Actors’ Summit, to support a professional production of Hamlet, $2,500
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for Summit Artspace exhibitions, artist receptions and outreach, $17,500
Akron Art Museum, for operating support, $50,000
Akron Community Health Resources Inc., for an on-site community pharmacy at the clinic in Arlington Plaza, $35,000
Akron Woman's City Club, for the Elder Theatre series, which features free plays written for and starring senior citizens, $2,500
Apollo’s Fire The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, for artistic expenses during the 2012-13 concert season in Akron, $12,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with the Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $8,000
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, to support performances, workshops and educational activities during the 2012-13 season, $2,500
Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children’s Choir, $8,000
Children’s Concert Society of Akron, for the In-School Concert Series, $10,000
City of Akron, for the annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival of free performances in city parks, $20,000
Cleveland Modern Dance Association, to support the Trey McIntyre Project’s E.J. Thomas Hall performance, dance residency and outreach, $10,000
Community Hall Foundation Inc. – Akron Civic Theatre, to support family and cabaret performances, including "Rumpelstiltskin" and the University of Akron Steel Drum Band, $20,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, to support the 2012-13 ballet season, including performances of "A Christmas Carol," $8,000
Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, for a ballroom dance residency program in Summit County schools, $3,000
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., to support the agency’s music education initiatives and Concerts for Kids performances, $35,000
GroundWorks Dancetheater, to support performances, dance residency and outreach, $10,000
Keepers of the Art Inc., for the Akron Hip-Hop Showcase at Lock 3, $10,000
Magical Theatre Company, for resident performances and educational programming, $10,000
Master Singers Inc., for the 2013 concert season and high school choral composition contest, $8,000
Musical Arts Association dba The Cleveland Orchestra, for the 2012 Blossom Festival, $25,000
Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc., for arts and culture programming on Western Reserve PBS, $10,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, for a permanent stage, $8,000
Project RISE, Akron Public Schools, for the Performing Arts Can Teach enrichment program for homeless students and their families, $9,000
Red Company Real Edge Dance, for dance performances and outreach in the Akron area, $2,000
Renaissance Performing Arts Association, for the production of a new Akron-themed "Nutcracker," $10,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Inc., to support the manor’s educational and historical programming, $40,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, for operating support, $10,000
Tuesday Musical Association, for the opening night concert featuring pianist Emanuel Ax, $10,000
Verb Ballets, to support the 2012-13 ballet season, $3,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., to support the 2012-13 production season, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for Hale Farm and Village educational programming, $10,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, for the 2012 Summer Performing Arts Workshop for urban youth, $15,000

2011 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2011, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $397,500 to 25 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, for theater productions in Akron-area schools, $10,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for Summit Artspace exhibitions, artist receptions and outreach, $17,500
Akron Art Museum, for operating support, $50,000
Apollo’s Fire The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, for artistic expenses during the 2011-12 concert season in Akron, $12,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with the Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $10,000
Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children’s Choir, $8,000
Children’s Concert Society of Akron, for the In-School Concert Series, $10,000
City of Akron, for the annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival of free performances in city parks, $20,000
Cleveland Modern Dance Association, to support MOMIX’s E.J. Thomas Hall performance, dance residency and outreach, $10,000
Community Hall Foundation Inc. – Akron Civic Theatre, to support family and cabaret performances, including "Schoolhouse Rock" and an improvisational comedy, $22,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, for performances of "The Little Mermaid" during the 2011-12 ballet season, $8,000
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., to support the agency’s music education initiatives and Concerts for Kids performances, $35,000
GroundWorks Dancetheater, to support Akron Icehouse performances, dance residency and outreach, $10,000
Keepers of the Art Inc., for the Akron Hip-Hop Showcase at Lock 3, $10,000
Magical Theatre Company, for resident performances and educational programming, $10,000
Master Singers Inc., for the 2012 concert season and high school choral composition contest, $10,000
Musical Arts Association dba The Cleveland Orchestra, to support the launch of an audience development initiative at Blossom Music Center that offers free lawn tickets to concertgoers under age 18, $30,000
Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc., for arts and culture programming, $12,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, for performances of "Love’s Labours Lost" and "The History of Richard III" at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, $8,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Inc., to support the manor’s educational and historical programming, $40,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, for exhibitions that profile individuals and businesses that have contributed to the quality of life in Summit County, $10,000
Tuesday Musical Association, for the Margaret Baxtresser Piano Concert featuring Yuja Wang, $10,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., to support the 2011-12 production season, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for Hale Farm and Village educational programming, $10,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, for the 2011 Summer Performing Arts Workshop for urban youth, $15,000

2010 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2010, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $457,260 to 30 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, for theater productions in Akron-area schools, $10,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for Summit Artspace exhibitions, education and outreach, $17,500
Akron Art Museum, for the "Who Shot Rock & Roll" photographic exhibition, $50,000
Apollo’s Fire The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, for the 2010-11 concert season, $12,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with the Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker,"
$10,000
Centenary United Methodist Church, for the Dinner and Jazz Night program, $3,500
Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children’s Choir, $8,000
Children’s Concert Society of Akron, for the In-School Concert Series, $10,000
City of Akron, for the annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival of free performances in city parks, $20,000
Cleveland Modern Dance Association, to support Keigwin+Company’s E.J. Thomas Hall performance, dance residency and outreach, $10,000
Community Hall Foundation Inc. – Akron Civic Theatre, for 2010-11 programming, $20,000
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, to renovate the Stanford House, $25,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, to support the 2010-11 performance season, $8,000
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., for Concerts for Kids, $35,000
GroundWorks Dancetheater, to support Akron Icehouse performances, dance residency and outreach, $10,000
Info Line Inc., for interim operations of the Summit County Food Pantry Clearinghouse, $10,500
Keepers of the Art Inc., for the Akron Hip-Hop Showcase at Lock 3, $10,000
Magical Theatre Company, for resident performances and educational programming, $10,000
Master Singers Inc., for the 2011 concert season and high school choral composition contest, $10,000
Musical Arts Association The Cleveland Orchestra, for the 2010 Blossom Festival, $20,000
Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc., for arts and culture programming, $10,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, for performances at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, $8,000
Project R.I.S.E., Akron Public Schools, for the Performing Arts Can Teach program for homeless children and their families, $9,760
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Inc., for general support, $40,000
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio, for general support, $10,000
Tuesday Musical Association, for the Margaret Baxtresser Piano Concert, $10,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., to support the 2010-11 production season, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for Hale Farm and Village educational programming, $10,000
Young Men’s Christian Association of Akron, to construct a new facility in University Park, $25,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, for the YEPAW 365 after-school program and summer workshop, $15,000

2009 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2009, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $474,000 to 31 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, for theater productions in Akron-area schools, $12,000
Actors’ Summit, for in-school theater productions of a play based on the life and words of abolitionist John Brown, $6,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for Summit Artspace operations, exhibitions, education and outreach, $20,000
Akron Art Museum, for the "Pattern ID" exhibition, $50,000
Apollo’s Fire The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, for the 2009-10 concert season, $12,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with the Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $20,000
Barberton Historical Society, to preserve the O.C. Barber Wishing Well and surrounding parcel, $1,000
Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children’s Choir, $10,000
Children’s Concert Society of Akron, for the In-School Concert Series, $10,000
City of Akron, for the Annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, free to the public in the city’s parks, $10,000
Cleveland Modern Dance Association, to support the Paul Taylor Dance Company performance at E.J. Thomas Hall, dance residency and outreach, $10,000
Community Hall Foundation Inc. – Akron Civic Theatre, for 2009-10 programming, $20,000
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, for arts and cultural programs in the park, $8,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, to support the 2009-10 performance season, $8,000
Food Pantry Capacity Fund, to better equip Summit County food pantries to store and distribute healthy, fresh food and to meet the growing community need, $25,000
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., for Concerts for Kids, $40,000
GroundWorks Dancetheater, to support Akron Icehouse performances, dance residency and outreach, $10,000
Inner-City Soccer Team, for summer soccer camps, $15,000
Keepers of the Art Inc., for the annual Akron Hip Hop Showcase at Lock 3, $10,000
Leadership Akron, for the annual Orientation Retreat, $13,000
Magical Theatre Company, for resident performances and educational programming, $15,000
Master Singers Inc., for the 2010 concert season and a high school choral composition contest, $10,000
Musical Arts Association The Cleveland Orchestra, for the 2009 Blossom Festival, $20,000
Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc., for arts and culture programming, $10,000
Ohio & Erie Canal Corridor Coalition Inc., for interior stairs in the Richard Howe House, $10,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, for performances at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, $12,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Inc., for general support, $40,000
Tuesday Musical Association, for the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra concert, $10,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., for capacity building, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for Hale Farm and Village educational programming, $15,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, for the YEPAW 365 after-school program and summer workshop, $12,000

2008 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2008, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $466,250 to 30 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, for 2008-09 productions in 40 area schools, $16,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for exhibitions, educational programming, and to promote the 2008-09 Summit Artspace Gallery season, $15,000
Akron Art Museum, for the "Edward Weston: Life Work" photography exhibition, $50,000
Akron-Summit County Public Library, for StoryCorps, a 10-day oral history project, $20,000
Apollo's Fire The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, for the 2008-09 concert season, $12,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for the Take Me Out to the Ballet program and the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, $20,000
Boy Scouts of America, Great Trail Council, for the Exploring/Venturing Careers program, $10,000
Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture, for its after-school theater program for elementary students at Akron Public Schools, $10,000
Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children's Choir, $12,000
Children’s Concert Society of Akron, for the 2008-09 In-School Concert Series, $10,000
Cleveland Modern Dance Association, for the Doug Varone and Dancers residency, master classes and performance at the University of Akron, $10,000
Community Hall Foundation Inc. - Akron Civic Theatre, for 2008-09 in-house programming, $25,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, to produce an original dance piece set to the music of Bobby McFerrin, $11,000
Foundation Center – Cleveland, for education, training and research, and to connect local nonprofits with grant-makers, $3,250
Friends of Firestone, for the Firestone High School Artist in Residency Program, $5,000
The Goodwill Industries of Akron, Ohio Inc., for vintage clothing preservation, $5,000
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., for the Concerts for Kids program, $40,000
GroundWorks Dancetheater, for Akron Icehouse performances, residency and educational outreach, $20,000
Inner-City Soccer Team, to provide free, weeklong youth soccer camps, $15,000
Kent State University Foundation Inc., for the Wick Poetry Center's Giving Voice program at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts, $10,000
Magical Theatre Company, for the Resident Performance Program, $10,000
Master Singers Inc., for the 2009 concert season and educational outreach, $12,000
Musical Arts Association The Cleveland Orchestra, for the 2008 Blossom Festival, $30,000
Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc., for television productions of the Akron Symphony Orchestra's "Gospel Meets Symphony" performance, $15,000
Ohio Shakespeare Festival, for summer performances of "Hamlet" at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, $5,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, to restore a 1916 Aeolian Organ, $20,000
Tuesday Musical Association, for the Hillary Hahn performance, $10,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., for the Project STAGE program, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for 50th anniversary educational programming at Hale Farm and Village, $20,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, for the 2008-09 YEPAW 365 after-school program, $15,000

2007 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2007, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $390,250 to 25 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, for its 2007-08 series of productions in 40 area schools, $12,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for exhibitions, educational programming, marketing, promotions and a new online artist directory, $20,000
Akron Art Museum, for "California as Muse: The Art of Arthur and Lucia Mathews," $50,000
Apollo's Fire, The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, for the 2007-08 concert season, $10,000
Ballet Theatre of Ohio, for the Take Me Out to the Ballet program and City of Akron Summer Parks Festival, $30,000
The Bang and the Clatter Theatre Company, for the Pay As You Can Initiative, which allows students and seniors to attend live theater performances, $7,500
Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children's Choir program, $12,000
Children's Concert Society of Akron, for the In-School Concert Series, $8,000
Cleveland Modern Dance Association, for educational programming and Lines Ballet performances, $5,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, to support a literature and art collaboration with the Akron Art Museum and This City Reads, $8,000
The Foundation Center - Cleveland, for annual support, $3,250
Greater Akron Musical Association, for the Concerts for Kids series for Summit County children, $40,000
GroundWorks Dancetheater, for Akron Icehouse performances, residency and educational outreach, $20,000
Kent State University Foundation, to increase and expand the Giving Voice writing outreach program at Miller South Performing Arts School, $7,500
Magical Theatre Company, for 2007-08 resident performances, $10,000
Master Singers, for the 2008 concert season and Composer in the Schools programs, $12,000
Musical Arts Association The Cleveland Orchestra, for the 2007 Blossom Festival, $30,000
National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation Inc., to purchase teaching materials and to subsidize instructors and counselors assisting with the Camp Invention program $10,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Inc., to develop a pilot technology-based tour, $10,000
Summit County Historical Society, to paint and repair the John Brown House, $10,000
Tuesday Musical Association, for the Chanticleer performance, $10,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse, for Project STAGE and outreach programming, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for Hale Farm & Village's partnership with Akron Public Schools, $20,000
Women's Network Inc., for V-Day Until the Violence Stops: Northeast Ohio, $10,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, for a week-long performing arts training program, $25,000

2006 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2006, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $326,910 to 24 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, to support professional theater productions in elementary and middle schools in 2006-2007, $12,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for exhibitions, workshops, artist talks and other events at Summit Artspace, $15,000
Apollo’s Fire The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, to support musicians’ fees for their Akron-based concerts, $10,000
The Bang and the Clatter Theatre Company, for the Pay As You Can Initiative, which allows students and seniors to attend live theater performances, $7,500
Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summer Children’s Choir Program, $12,000
Children’s Ballet Theatre Inc., for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with the Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $10,000
Children’s Concert Society of Akron, for the In-School Concert Series, $8,000
Clinton Historical Society, for interpretive panels in the heritage education center, $5,410
Community Hall Foundation Inc. – Akron Civic Theatre, for the 2006-07 in-house programming season, $25,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, to support an original production of "Snow White," $8,000
The Foundation Center - Cleveland, to support the Cooperating Collection expansion into Akron-Summit County Public Library, $4,500
Goodwill Industries of Akron, for preservation of a vintage clothing collection, $10,000
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., for the Concerts for Kids series, $35,000
GroundWorks Dancetheater, to support the annual dance residency and outreach programming at Akron’s Icehouse complex, $20,000
Kent State University Foundation Inc., for Porthouse Theatre’s Performing Arts Outreach Programs, $7,500
Magical Theatre Company, to support artistic expenses for its 2006-07 resident performances, $10,000
Master Singers Inc., to support the 2006-07 Concert Season, $12,000
Musical Art Association, for Cleveland Orchestra performances at the 2006 Blossom Festival, $25,000
Summit County Historical Society, for security lighting, a walkway and landscaping at the John Brown House, $20,000
Tuesday Musical Association, for the Vienna Boys Choir performance, $10,000
Twinsburg City School District, for the Project STAR program, a remedial summer reading program, $10,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., for "Contemporary Fire," a collaboration involving Weathervane, Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre and Firestone High School’s Dance Program, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for the school-museum-community partnership between Hale Farm & Village and Leggett Elementary School, $20,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, for a week-long performing arts training and character-building workshop, $20,000

2005 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2005, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $321,987 to 25 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, to assist with performance fees for productions in Akron area schools, $12,500
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for the 2005-06 Summit Artspace Gallery season, $15,000
Alchemy, for an after-school academic-enrichment program for males at Perkins Middle School, $15,000
Apollo's Fire The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, for musicians' and guest artists' fees, $7,500
Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children's Choir Program, $10,000
Children's Ballet Theatre Inc., for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with the Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $8,500
Clinton Historical Society, for interior restoration of the Carriage House and creation of an educational facility with three-dimensional exhibits, $6,287
Community Hall Foundation Inc.-Akron Civic Theatre, for 2005-06 in-house programming, $25,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, to support the development of an original neo-classical ballet, $8,000
Foundation Center - Cleveland, for renewed support, $2,500
Friends of Historic Glendale Cemetery, for restoration and renovation of the cemetery's grounds and buildings, $25,000
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., for the Concerts for Kids series, $35,000
GroundWorks Dancetheater, for residency at the Akron Icehouse, educational outreach activities with local schools, and a new dance residency in partnership with the University of Akron Dance Institute, $20,000
Kent State University Foundation Inc., for support of Porthouse Theatre's Performing Arts Outreach Program, $7,500
Leadership Akron, for the annual Orientation Retreat, $13,000
Magical Theatre Company, for the Student Matinee Program, $10,000
Musical Arts Association The Cleveland Orchestra, for the 2005 Blossom Festival, $25,000
Ohio Chamber Ballet, for the 2005 Summer Festival programs and performances, $20,000
Peninsula Art Academy, for the adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of a program facility, $3,000
Stow Chamber Orchestra, to support participation in the "Made in America" consortium of small-budget orchestras across the United States, $5,000
Tuesday Musical Association, to sponsor a concert by the Tokyo String Quartet, $10,000
VSA Arts of Ohio, to support the annual festival of the arts, $3,200
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., to provide the ProjectSTAGE program to area school children, $5,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for "Citizens & Soldiers: Life in Northeast Ohio," a Civil War program initiative, $10,000
Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, for a week-long workshop, $20,000

2004 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2004, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $567,500 to 24 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, for CONNECT, a series of theater residencies for Akron schools, $12,500
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for the 2004-05 season, including six art exhibits and related educational programming, $15,000
Akron Art Museum, for the capital campaign/Inaugural Celebration, $300,000
Apollo's Fire The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, for support of the 2004-05 season, $5,000
Arlington Church of God of Akron, Ohio Inc., for the Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, $20,000
The Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children's Choir Program, $7,000
Children's Ballet Theatre Inc., for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with the Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $7,500
Children's Concert Society of Akron, Ohio, for the In-School Concert Series, $6,000
Coming Together Project, for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay and Oratorical Contest for students in Northeast Ohio, $3,000
Community Hall Foundation Inc.-Akron Civic Theatre, for 2004-05 in-house programming, $25,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, for development of an original ballet based on a typical "Day in the Life of a Child," $8,000
ETC All American Youth Show Choir Inc., for development of the new rehearsal facility, $2,000
Foundation Center – Cleveland, for renewed support, $2,500
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., for the Concert for Kids series, $35,000
GroundWorks Dancetheater, for residency at the Akron Icehouse, three performances and educational outreach with local schools, $20,000
Magical Theatre Company, for the Performing Arts Can Teach (P.A.C.T.) program, $10,000
Musical Arts Association The Cleveland Orchestra, for sponsorship of Blossom Festival's "Bravo Broadway's Music of the Night," $25,000
Ohare Irish Dance Boosters - Akron OH Inc., to provide costumes, choreographic materials and dance camps for local children, $4,500
Ohio Chamber Ballet, for eight Summer Festival performances at the parks and six pre-performance "Turned Out Tikes" programs, $20,000
Ohio Youth Ballet, for community performances and outreach activities, $5,000
Tuesday Musical Association, to sponsor the concert by pianist Krystian Zimerman, $10,000
VSA Arts of Ohio, for the annual festival of the arts, Imagia Nation Workshops, and participation in First Night Akron, $3,500
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., for an informational brochure, $11,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, to support "THE FARM - Agricultural Programming," at Hale Farm, $10,000

2003 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2003, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $344,130 to 23 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, for a new van to transport actors, equipment, sets and costumes to schools, $25,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for publications, $7,880
Akron Art Museum, for the "Hans Hofmann-Selections from the UC Berkeley Museum of Art" exhibit, $35,000
Antioch Baptist Church, for a tutoring, mentoring and literacy program for children, $3,120
Ardmore Foundation Inc., for the annual festival of the arts for special education students and adults from Weaver Workshops, $3,200
Arlington Church of God of Akron, Ohio Inc., for the Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, $20,000
Cascade Locks Park Association, for the archive project, $5,000
Children's Ballet Theatre Inc., for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with the Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $7,500
Children's Concert Society of Akron, Ohio, for the In-School Concert Series, $6,000
Community Hall Foundation Inc. -- Akron Civic Theatre, for in-house programming, $25,000
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, for the Artists-in-Residence Program, $15,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, for an original ballet based on the popular children's character Madeline, $7,000
Foundation Center – Cleveland, for operating support, $2,500
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., for the Concerts for Kids series, $35,000
Greater Westside Council of Block Clubs, for the fall concert of the Ed Davis Youth Dance Troupe serving inner-city children, $5,000
Kent State University Foundation Inc., for Porthouse Theatre's Performing Arts Outreach Program for Summit County high school students, $7,500
Magical Theatre Company, for the Performing Arts Can Teach program, $15,000
Ohio Chamber Ballet, for the annual series of free summer festival shows, $20,000
St. Mary's Community Foundation, for the Wallpaper Project's theater tour in Akron, "From Here: A Century of Voices from Ohio," $3,000
Tuesday Musical Club, for a concert by Canadian chamber orchestra Les Violons du Roy, $5,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., to promote volunteerism with a special event devoted to African-American fathers and their children, $6,430
Western Reserve Historical Society, for the Domestic Skills Program, $10,000
Young Men's Christian Association of Akron, for emergency funding of at-risk youth programs of the YMCA, Shelter Care and East Akron Community House, $75,000

2002 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2002, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $282,445 to 20 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, for the production of "Celebrate Ohio!" honoring Ohio's Bicentennial in Akron-area schools, $12,500
Actors' Summit, for the production of "John Brown and Frederick Douglass, the Fight Against Slavery," $ 10,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for Phase I of the Summit Arts Center and Incubator in downtown Akron, $20,000
Akron Art Museum, for "My Reality: Contemporary Art and the Culture of Japanese Animation," $35,000
Apollo's Fire The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, for musicians' and guest artists' fees for Akron concerts, $10,000
Ardmore Foundation Inc., for Festival of the Arts field trips for students with disabilities, $3,600
Arlington Church of God of Akron, Ohio Inc., for the Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, $20,000
The Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children's Choir Program, $10,000
Children's Ballet Theatre Inc., for "Take Me Out to the Ballet," a partnership with the Akron Public Schools that brings grade school students to an in-theater performance of "The Nutcracker," $7,500
The Children's Concert Society of Akron, Ohio, for the In-School Program, $6,000
Community Hall Foundation Inc.-Akron Civic Theatre, for in-house programming, $25,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, for remounting the ballet "Spirit of the Cuyahoga," $6,000
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., for the Concerts for Kids series, $35,000
Jewish Community Center of Akron, for KidsFair 2002, $7,500
Leadership Akron, for its annual orientation retreat, $14,000
Magical Theatre Company, for artistic support for student matinee performances, $15,000
Parent Coalition for Persons with Disabilities, for a summer transition program for children not old enough for Help Me Grow/Early Intervention services, $10,000
Tuesday Musical Club, for the River City Brass Band concert at the Akron Civic Theatre, $5,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., for a stage rigging and flying workshop to expand shows to include those requiring flying people and scenery, $5,345
Western Reserve Historical Society, for restoration of the Jonathan Hale House, $25,000

2001 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2001, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $253,070 to 25 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, for educational fee reductions for school performances and Residency Day workshops, $10,000
The Akron African-American Cultural Association, for the 22nd Annual African American Festival and Parade, $3,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, for a business plan for an arts incubator, $15,000
Akron Art Museum, to help fund the "William Morris Glass Installations: Myth, Object and the Animal" exhibit, $25,000
Akron Lyric Opera Theatre, for royalties for the production of "South Pacific," $2,500
Ardmore Foundation Inc., for Festival of the Arts field trips for Summit County students with disabilities, $3,000
Arlington Church of God of Akron, Ohio Inc., for the Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, $15,000
The Central Summit County Choral Society, for the Summit Children’s Choir Program, $5,000
Children’s Ballet Theatre Inc., to fund performances of the first act of "Coppelia" for Summit County inner-city youth, $5,000
The Children’s Concert Society of Akron, Ohio, to support the In-School Program, $6,000
Cuyahoga Falls Historical Society Inc., for the restoration and preservation of the Conrad Botzum Farmstead, $10,000
Cuyahoga Valley Brass Band Inc., for band support, $5,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, to fund an original new ballet for the 2002-03 season, $5,000
The Foundation Center - Cleveland, for operating support, $2,000
Greater Akron Musical Association Inc., for the Concerts for Kids series, $35,000
Jewish Community Center of Akron, to sponsor the 2001 KidsFair, $7,500
Magical Theatre Company, for the expansion of KidScripts, a program that merges stories written by students with theater, $15,000
Ohio Chamber Ballet, for the Summer Festival and Education Program, $15,000
Out in Akron Inc., for the 2001 Cultural Festival, $5,000
Riverfront Center Association, to support concerts on the Riverfront Center Mall in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, $5,000
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Inc., for the Traveling Trunk program, $13,200
Summit County Historical Society of Akron, OH, for the restoration of the Pockrandt Visitor’s Center, $8,870
Tuesday Musical Club, for the Evelyn Glennie concert, $5,000
United Disability Services Inc., to sponsor CityFaire, a family-oriented arts event to be held in downtown Akron, $25,000
Weathervane Community Playhouse Inc., for the design, production and distribution of marketing materials for the Youth Outreach Program, $7,000

2000 Arts & Culture Grants

In 2000, Akron Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $252,950 to 24 nonprofit organizations:

Act II Productions Illusion Factory, to reduce residency and performance fees for schools and educational nonprofits, $10,000
Actors’ Summit, for partial funding of public and in-school professional theater productions of "Oedipus Rex," $10,000
Akron African-American Cultural Association, for the 21st African-American Festival and Parade, $3,000
Akron Area Arts Alliance, to fund the arts calendar and develop a newsletter, $10,000
Akron Art Museum, to sponsor the "Indivisible" exhibit, $20,000,
American Red Cross Summit County Chapter, for disaster relief, $10,000
Ardmore Foundation, to support transportation and artists fees for the Very Special Arts Jazz Concert, $3,500
Central Summit Choral Society, to fund the children’s choir summer vocal camp program, $4,500
Children’s Ballet Theatre Inc., for partial underwriting of special "Nutcracker" performances for elementary school students, $5,000
Children’s Concert Society, to support the In-School Program, $5,000
Community Hall Foundation - Akron Civic Theatre, for in-house programming, $15,000
Cuyahoga Falls Historical Society Inc., for the restoration and preservation of the historic Conrad Botzum Farmstead, $15,000
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, for the City of Akron ballet, $5,000
Greater Akron Musical Association, for the Concerts for Kids series, $35,000
Greater Westside Council of Block Clubs, for the fall concert of the Ed Davis Dance Troupe, $4,950
Musical Arts Association The Cleveland Orchestra, for the 2000 Blossom Festival concert "Bravo Broadway," $20,000
Ohio Chamber Ballet, to support the Akron performances of the 2000 Summer Festival, $15,000
Out in Akron Inc., to help fund the Out in Akron cultural festival, $5,000
Peninsula Library & Historical Society, to support the Ohio Chautaqua program, $4,500
Summit County Historical Society, for the principal sponsorship of a history of Akron video to be aired on PBS on Akron’s 175 anniversary, $20,000
Tuesday Musical Club, for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, $5,000
The University of Akron Foundation, for the Dance Institute’s production of "The Snow Maiden," $7,500
Weaver Group Foundation Inc., to help fund Music Fair, a three-day music festival, $10,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, for the relocation and renovation of the blacksmith shop at Hale Farm & Village, $10,000

Arts & Culture Grant History

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