ArtsNow Celebrates Summit County’s Creative Sector at Annual State of the Arts
AKRON, Ohio (October 19, 2026) — Artists, creatives, civic and business leaders, arts and cultural organizations, and community champions gathered at House Three Thirty on
Oct. 14, 2026, for ArtsNow's annual State of the Arts celebration, recognizing the people, partnerships and investments that make Summit County a vibrant place to live, work and create.
Part community report, part celebration and part fundraiser, the event honored outstanding leadership in the arts while highlighting the cultural sector's economic and community impact.
"We've built something extraordinary together," said Nicole Mullet, Executive Director of ArtsNow. "Now let's protect what we've built, strengthen what sustains it, and keep creating what's next."
A highlight of the event was the recognition of two individuals whose leadership has helped shape Summit County's cultural landscape.
David Lieberth received the ArtsNow Distinguished Patron Award in recognition of more than four decades of philanthropy, advocacy and leadership in the arts. An author, historian, producer and documentarian, Lieberth has helped shape Akron's cultural identity through initiatives including Lock 3, the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival and the Akron History Center.
Kendra Myers received the ArtsNow Visionary Leader Award for her lasting contributions to ArtsNow and the broader cultural community. A former ArtsNow Board Treasurer and President, Myers helped guide the organization through pivotal years of growth, strengthening the region's creative future.
The awards presented to Lieberth and Myers were original works of art created by local artists Julienne Hogarth and Lizzi Aronhalt, respectively, adding a personal and creative touch to the celebration.
During her annual address, Mullet emphasized that arts and culture are essential to Summit County's economic strength, community identity and quality of life.
Among the findings shared:
Nearly $3 billion in annual economic impact is generated by the creative economy across the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area. (Source: CreativeOhio, Ohio’s Creative Economy 2024 study)
More than 56% of arts and cultural programming offered by Summit County’s 800-plus reporting nonprofit organizations was free and accessible to the community over the past year. (Source: SMU DataArts report run September 2026)
Nearly 72% of Summit County residents believe increased arts and cultural investment would positively impact community pride and well-being, while more than 71% believe it would benefit youth education. (Source: 2026 Summit County Community Poll, conducted by the Center for Marketing & Opinion Research)
The program also highlighted ArtsNow-supported projects that helped make possible 948 performances, classes and workshops, engaging more than 72,800 people and providing paid opportunities for more than 760 individuals. Grantees leveraged that support to secure an additional $281,000 in funding. (Source: ArtsNow Grantee Reports, Calendar Years 2024–2025)
"The absence of a ticket price doesn't mean the absence of value," Mullet said. "That's not lost revenue. That's mission delivery."
Mullet also highlighted the progress of the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan and partnerships with organizations including the Summit County Land Bank, Summit DD, Summit Artspace and local government leaders. Looking ahead, she emphasized the importance of strengthening the resources and infrastructure needed to sustain Summit County's cultural sector for future generations.
The celebration featured live music from Open Tone Music, performances by Ballet Excel Ohio and The Millennium Theatre Project, and poetry from Theresa Göttl Brightman.
ArtsNow extends special thanks to its Legacy Builder Sponsors: Harvey and Kim Nelson, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, Summit County Land Bank, and Synthomer Foundation.
Additional gratitude goes to its Cultural Champion Sponsors: Akron Civic Theatre; Bill Lowery, eXp Realty, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau, GAR Foundation, Meaden & Moore, Kasota Artist Management, The University of Akron, The Read Family, and Greater Akron Chamber.
ArtsNow also thanks House Three Thirty, Woodsy's Music, Akron Civic Theatre volunteers and the many artists and community partners who helped make the celebration possible.
As Mullet reminded attendees, "Building a stronger cultural sector and changing the systems that support it isn't the work of one person or one organization. Nor should it be."
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ArtsNow works to leverage the arts and culture in Summit County to support and strengthen the region’s economic and social vibrancy. Learn more at ArtsNow.org.
Data Sources
CreativeOhio, Ohio’s Creative Economy 2024
SMU DataArts, Summit County arts and cultural sector data, September 2026
Center for Marketing & Opinion Research (CMOR), 2026 Summit County Community Poll
ArtsNow Grantee Reports, Calendar Years 2024–2025