In 2021, Akron Community Foundation awarded $630,500* in competitive Arts & Culture cycle grants to support the work of diverse artists, a citywide cultural planning process, in-school arts programming, and more.
- 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
*Includes contributions through Akron Community Foundation's co-investment program, which enables donor-advised fundholders to review the board's competitive grant applications and support initiatives that align with their charitable interests.