Looking for arts funding? ArtsinStark revamps grant program

Ed Balint, Canton Repository
·4 min read

CANTON − ArtsinStark will begin accepting applications for its revamped grant program on Tuesday.

The new ArtsImpact grants will fund collaborative projects "that will extend the reach of Stark County's arts community into other sectors," ArtsinStark said in a news release.

Funding will be open to nonprofit organizations and their partners, including individual artists who meet criteria established by ArtsinStark.

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Funding will be available for projects occurring in Stark County between July 2, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Grants will range from $2,500 to $7,500.

March 21 is the application deadline.

For complete ArtsImpact grant guidelines, go to https://artsinstark.com/grants/.

ArtsImpact grants replace the Special Project program, which typically awarded grants between $1,000 and $3,000 per recipient using a broader criteria.

“These grants will reward innovative and unique projects that will make an impact on ourcommunity," Emil Alecusan, interim president and CEO of ArtsinStark, said of the ArtsImpact program. "As we evaluate submissions, we’ll be valuing projects that align with our core pillars of education, well-being and vitality. We are excited to see the creativity our community has to offer."

Alecusan will remain as interim CEO until early June when Maureen Ater assumes the post. The ArtsinStark board of directors recently approved Ater's hiring; she will begin working at ArtsinStark later this month as the agency's chief operating officer.

Maureen Ater has been named the new CEO of ArtsinStark, a nonprofit that advocates and provides funding for the arts community.
Maureen Ater has been named the new CEO of ArtsinStark, a nonprofit that advocates and provides funding for the arts community.

ArtsinStark research grant programs from across the country

In 2022, ArtsinStark "undertook a strategic assessment of its grant programs with the goal ofunveiling new programs that better deliver upon the organization's objectives," the agency said in a news release.

Best practices were researched from arts and culture grants across the country. Interviews were conducted with "various stakeholders in Stark County to identify strengths and weaknesses of the current programs in order to make the best use of the annual campaign for the arts (funds)."

A second grant program, ArtsBuild, which awards operating funds to major local arts organizations, was launched in late 2023. Applications already have been submitted and will be reviewed between April and June, Alecusan said.

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ArtsinStark, a Canton-based nonprofit championing the local arts community, has revamped its grant program. Applications for arts groups and artists open in February.
ArtsinStark, a Canton-based nonprofit championing the local arts community, has revamped its grant program. Applications for arts groups and artists open in February.

Grants will focus on inclusion and making Stark County vibrant

In its inaugural year, ArtsImpact grants will foster partnerships between the arts community and partners, ArtsinStark announced. "Successful project collaborations will prioritize inclusion andequity and will also support ArtsinStark’s mission to make Stark County a thriving and vibrant region," the news release said.

ArtsImpact applicants will be evaluated by a panel of arts and community leaders in a competitive, peer-review process based on a project or program's impact on Stark County, organizational stability, accessibility, and clarity of proposal, the organization said.

Several goals have been identified for the ArtsImpact program:

  • Support the arts in Stark County with programming that is aligned with the new ArtsinStarK strategic focus areas: Arts and education, arts and well-being and arts and vitality.

  • Be responsive to community needs and interests.

  • Reach and collaborate with other industry sectors within the Stark community to create support for the region.

  • Increase transparency within the grants process.

  • Balance stable funding with a competitive process.

  • Implement inclusion and equity.

"Unsound" is the title of Hannah Pierce's ceramic sculpture exhibit at the Canton Museum of Art on display through March 6.
"Unsound" is the title of Hannah Pierce's ceramic sculpture exhibit at the Canton Museum of Art on display through March 6.

Who can apply for ArtsImpact grants?

Each grant proposal must include one nonprofit organization located in Stark County as the lead applicant and one partner. Partners will also be located in Stark County, and can include individual artists, small community-based arts groups, artist collectives and arts-related 501(c)3 organizations, ArtsinStark explained.

Colleges and universities, social service organizations, historical and scientific organizations, economic development organizations, health services organizations and other non-arts nonprofits are encouraged to partner with individual artists, community-based arts groups and artist collectives to develop a proposal, the announcement said.

Important dates for the ArtsImpact grant program include:

  • Feb. 12 – Online Zoom Information session at 4 p.m.

  • Feb. 27 at 8:30 a.m. – In-person information session at Louisville AHH Art & History Gallery, 120 E. Main St. in downtown Louisville.

  • Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. – In-person information session at the Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave. N in downtown Canton.

  • Feb. 28 at 8:30 a.m. – In-person information session at Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, in downtown Massillon.

  • Award notifications will be made in late June 2024.

Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com

On X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP and on Instagram at ed_balint

This article originally appeared on The Repository: ArtsinStark revamps grant program for Canton area artists and groups