Stark County Arts News: $214,707 in Cultural Tourism Grants Awarded To 19 Stark County Organizations

 $214,707 in Cultural Tourism Grants Awarded To 19 Stark County Organizations

 

 

 

Stark County, Ohio – Visit Canton and ArtsinStark awarded $214,707 in Cultural Tourism Grants to 19 Stark County organizations. Cultural Tourism Grants are awarded for the purpose of generating increased visitation and economic impact for the region through the support of arts and culture events and marketing initiatives. 

Grant awards of up to $20,000 were available to eligible initiatives completed by December 31, 2024. The complete Cultural Tourism Grant criteria and application process are available to view here. A committee of five representatives from or appointed by Visit Canton, the Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, and ArtsInStark, the Stark County Arts Council, reviewed 36 submitted applications requesting over $470,000 in support.

Visit Canton, President & CEO Allyson Bussey shared, “We are thrilled to see the diverse range of projects and events supported through the Cultural Tourism Grants this year. This program not only provides financial assistance but also serves as a catalyst for new experiences that enrich our community and the visitor experience." 

Maureen Ater, Incoming ArtsinStark President & CEO shared similar sentiments, “Cultural tourism isn't just about visiting landmarks; it's about being immersed in our arts-vibrant community. These initiatives are a wonderful collection of events and programs that demonstrate our rich heritage and arts culture.

The following organizations, communities, and businesses received Cultural Tourism Grants:

 
• Canton Museum of Art | Timken Art Special Exhibit
$20,000 – Support out-of-county marketing initiatives for the special exhibit, 400 Years of European
and American Masterworks, from the Timken Museum of Art Collection. Anticipated to be on display
August 2024 through March 2025.
• EN-RICH-MENT | African-American Arts Festival
$20,000 – Support of national headliners, Pieces of a Dream and Johnny Britt, as mainstage
entertainment at the African-American Arts Festival on July 20 in Centennial Plaza.
• National First Ladies Library & Museum | Leaders in Literacy: First Ladies as Teachers,
Educators, and Librarians
$19,000 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives to promote the new exhibit, opening on
May 1.
• Massillon Museum | Meet the World at MassMu
$16,358 – Support of out-of-county marketing initiatives and special event programming for 2024
exhibits• Canton Museum of Art | Spring/Summer Exhibitions 2024
$13,545 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives for spring and summer exhibitions,
opening March 2024.
• Canton Museum of Art | Summer/Fall Exhibitions 2024
$13,260 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives for spring and summer exhibitions,
opening July 2024.
• Jackson Township | The Nash Family Amphitheater 2024 Summer Concert Series
$13,000 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives for 10 shows in the Summer Concert
Series.
• Canton Palace Theatre | Construction Kick-Off Concert
$12,500 – Support of a national headliner as mainstage entertainment during the final event before
construction of the 100th Anniversary Capital Project begins.
• Hartville Kitchen | 2024 Hartville Kitchen Concert Series
$11,911.50 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives for 25 shows, part of a national and
regional recording artist concert series.
• Canton Museum of Art | Winter Exhibitions 2025
$10,650 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives for spring and summer exhibitions,
opening November 2024.
• Canton Symphony Orchestra | MasterWorks Series Marketing Support
$9,000 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives for the MasterWorks Series.
• Queer in Canton | Stark Pride Festival 2024
$7,750 – Support of national headliner, David Hernandez, and regional act, FunkyardX, for mainstage
entertainment at Stark Pride Festival on June 8 at Centennial Plaza.
• Canton Ballet | “Come Dance with Me”
$5,550 – Support of guest principal dancer and live music performed by The John Trapani Big Band at
the April 12 and April 14 performances at Canton Palace Theatre.
• Stark Parks | Summer Serenades in the Park
$5,115 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives and music rental for live music
performances in partnership with the Canton Symphony Orchestra throughout Stark Parks.
• Canton Symphony Orchestra | Gospel Joins Symphony
$5,000 – Support of guest conductor and music fees for Dr. Henry Panion during the performance on
June 15 at Umstattd Hall.
• Canton Ballet | “The Nutcracker”
$4,400 – Support of guest principal dancers and new, out-of-county marketing initiatives for December
13-15 performances at the Canton Palace Theatre.
• Strauss Studios | Event Funding for Strauss Studios
$3,767.50 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives and local and regional musicians for
exhibit openings• Canton Symphony Orchestra | “Ragtime” Production
$3,500 – Support of guest artist fees for live production of “Ragtime” in partnership with the Players
Guild Theatre on August 17 at Umstattd Hall.
• 720 Market | 720 Market 2024 Season
$3,450 – Support of new entertainment for the 720 MKTs and CAMP Creative hands-on art activities
throughout the April-October markets.
• Canton Fine Arts Associates | Christkindl Markt 2024
$3,000 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing ad buys for the November 8-9 artisan market at the
Cultural Center for the Arts and Canton Museum of Art.
• 720 Market | 720 Holiday Village at Oakwood Square
$2,600 – Support of new entertainment at the new Holiday Village during weekends in November and
December at Oakwood Square Plaza.
• Hall of Fame City Comic Con | Guest Comic Artist Appearance
$2,500 – Support of national headliner, guest comic appearance fees at Hall of Fame City Comic Con
on September 28 at the Canton Memorial Civic Center.
• Sing Stark | Sing Stark Gospel production of “Revival”
$2,450 – Support of guest artist fees and organ rental for the November 23 performance at the Cultural
Center for the Arts Theater.
• McKinley Presidential Library & Museum | McKinley Museum Marketing Initiatives
$1,975 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives to promote 2024 exhibits.
• Canton Symphony Orchestra | The Divergent Sounds Series
$1,400 – Support of new, out-of-county marketing initiatives to promote the Divergent Sounds Series
taking place on select dates from January through May at The Auricle.
• Seat of the Pants | “The Women of Lockerbie” Theatrical Production
$1,125 – Support of out-of-county marketing initiatives to promote performances over July 12-28 at
Malone University.
• Greater Stark County Urban League, Inc. | Melba Moore Still Standing
$1,000 – Support of national headliner, Melba Moore, as mainstage headliner for Ladies Night Dinner
Theater on May 12 at the Cultural Center for the Arts
• Sing Stark | Vox Audio: Making Spirits Bright
$900 – Support of string quartet guest artist fees for the December 8 performance at the Cultural
Center for the Arts.
 

Cultural Tourism Grants are funded through a 10-year cooperative agreement between Visit Canton and
ArtsInStark to utilize 1/6 of the portion of Stark County lodging tax committed for the operation of the
Convention & Visitors’ Bureau for granting financial support to arts and culture initiatives that appeal to visitors.

Cultural Tourism Grant applications are currently being accepted for projects taking place from June 1 to December 31, 2024. The deadline to apply is now open through May 1, 2024. Interested organizations can find out more information at About Visit Canton:

The Stark County Convention & Visitors’’ Bureau, d.b.a. Visit Canton, is funded by a lodging tax administered through the Stark County Commissioners. The organization’s mission is to promote travel to Stark County. 

Visit Canton facilitates operations that support a travel and tourism industry in Stark County.
Visit Canton Contact: Allison Gromofsky | Community Promotions Manager | 330.542.6375 |
AllisonG@VisitCanton.com