PRIORITY #5: ENGAGEMENT Increase Public Engagement with Arts & Culture
In Akron/Summit, we believe that we must embrace and support excellence in our creative sector by engaging the broad Summit County community more deeply in arts and cultural opportunities.
Together, we have work to do.
Throughout the priorities, you’ll see each labeled with the potential investment required ($ to $$$$) and next steps including, “Implement (I),” “Explore (E),” “Expand (X),” and “Promote (P).”
(Banner photo: Summit Artspace; Photography by Shane Wynn from AkronStock.com)
5.1 Public Engagement
Engage the broad Akron community more deeply in arts and cultural opportunities
Collaborative Community Calendars: Explore existing public and shared event calendars throughout Summit County to understand where collaboration and partnership may be enhanced. (E, $$$)
Intersectional Community Discussions: Facilitate regular ongoing discussions about the intersection of the arts and community issues including, accessibility, culture and heritage, economy, education, faith, health and wellness, infrastructure, innovation, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and race and ethnicity in order to maintain an open and consistent dialogue about these topics. This can build upon existing efforts or investigate new investments in this area. (X, P, $$$)
Culture Awards: Explore the possibility of an Annual Mayor’s Cultural Awards in conjunction with ArtsNow. Award categories could include: (E, $$$)
Outdoor Recreation
Cultural Excellence
Artistic Excellence
Artistic Innovation
Arts Education
Advancing Equity
5.2 Advocacy
Equip community members with skills to advocate for the arts and culture in our city
Advocacy Network: Develop a local advocacy network to include parents, teachers, students, community members, audiences, and patrons, and help resource, train, and equip them for ongoing advocacy efforts. (I, $$$)
5.3 Volunteerism
Develop and convene volunteers for arts and cultural organizations
Volunteer Engagement: Cultural and environmental organizations partner annually with Senior Summit and senior initiatives led by the Senior Citizen Commission to connect all ages to volunteerism. (X, $)
Convene Volunteer Coordinators: Convene volunteer coordinators and administrators from cultural organizations to develop a shared strategy for best practices in volunteer recruitment, retention, engagement, and growth. (E, $$)