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Since 2000, Akron Community Foundation has invested more than $9.5 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

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 $625,000 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 12th 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 100th anniversary 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 90th 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 $632,672 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 20th 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 40th 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 175thanniversary 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 90thanniversary 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:

2012 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2011 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2010 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2009 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2008 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2007 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2006 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2005 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2004 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2003 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2002 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2001 Arts & Culture Grants

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

2000 Arts & Culture Grants

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

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