About Us
ArtsinStark
ArtsinStark Open House! Friday, April 4.
If you want to stop by and see the new office space and meet the artists who have their work, currently on display on our walls (as part of a loner agreement), plan to come by and say "hi!" Friday, April 4 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The event is one of many exciting happenings on April 4 as its a First Friday and the date for the Art is Alive show at the Canton Musuem of Art/Cultural Center. So plan to put us on your stop, to and fro, as you make your way 'round the city for great arts happenings. The SARTA trolley will be running all evening, so park your car at the Cultural Center if you wish and make the CMA your "first stop" for First Friday, as long as you visit our new offices, second.
ArtsinStark News Releases
ArtsinStark News Releases
ArtsinStark, the County Arts Council, is located to new offices in the former Napa Auto Parts building at 900 Cleveland Ave. N.W. in Canton, Ohio. The building has a colorful facelift to better reflect the work of the non-profit agency committed to growing the arts to “create smarter kids, new jobs, and healthier communities.” ArtsinStark offices will take up about 1,500 square feet, half of the interior; the other half will be used as storage for Canton Ballet and Players Guild Theatre.
See for yourself!
“For almost 40 years, the County Arts Council’s staff has been spread throughout different spaces around the Cultural Center,” said ArtsinStark President and CEO Robb Hankins. “For example, three of us worked out of an area that originally was supposed to be the gift shop for the Canton Museum of Art. We’ve never been able to get everyone all together before. So this is exciting.”
The staff responsible for the administration of ArtsinStark has relocated to the new building, which features offices, a meeting room and reception area. The ArtsinStark staff responsible for the management of the Cultural Center for the Arts will remain onsite at the Market Avenue location.
“I think the new administrative offices of ArtsinStark symbolizes how economic development and the arts can work together to make Stark County even stronger,” Hankins said.
The new phone number for the agency is (330) 453-1075.
The address is 900 Cleveland Avenue NW in downtown Canton.
About us
We manage the magnificent Cultural Center for the Arts. Our Grants Program awards over $1 million annually to 75 Stark County non-profits. We develop public art projects that revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods. We fund partnerships between schools and arts organizations to supercharge learning (SmArts). Last year we raised $1.35 million through the Fund for ArtsinStark. We are ArtsinStark, The County Arts Council.
Our mission to "growing the arts to create smarter kids, new jobs, and healthier communities."
Staff Specifics - Located in the ArtsinStark office on Cleveland Avenue NW
Robb Hankins has spent the last 30 years directing city, county and state arts agencies in eight different states from Wisconsin to Connecticut to California and Oregon. He has built or retooled four united arts fund drives, created major community arts festivals, overseen public art programs, redesigned arts education initiatives, and helped revitalize downtowns. Robb arrived in October 2005 to become the President & CEO of ArtsinStark --- the county arts council. Robb resides in Jackson with his wife, Claudette. Contact Robb via 330-453-1075, ext 202 or robbhankins@artsinstark.com
Judi Christy has been officially employed by ArtsinStark since 2006, but had served the organization as a consultant for three years prior. Currently, the Marketing Director, Judi wears many hats including organizing the workplace campaigns for the Fund and all special events for the ArtsinStark organization. In addition, she coordinates the activities of the high school Stark Youth Arts Council and is the webmaster of Artsinstark.com Judi holds a Masters Degree in Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, She resides in Green with her husband, Mike. They have two children, Zach and Erika. Contact Judi via 330-453-1075, ext 206 or judi@artsinstark.com
Debbie Koyle is the most recent hire of ArtsinStark. She is the Business Manager, coming to us with experience from the Girl Scouts (Great Trail Council) as the Chief Financial Officer. No stranger to the arts, Debbie has been an active volunteer with Players Guild Theatre, Voices of Canton Inc., the Hall of Fame Chorus and the Wilderness Center. Through her work at the Girl Scout Council, Debbie developed and implemented the first Fund Development campaign. Contact Debbie at 330-453-1075, ext 203 or dkoyle@artsinstark.com
Laurie Fife Harbert began the newly created position of KIMONO Project Coordinator with ArtsinStark in August of 2007. Prior to this, she was a fine art consultant and had been the exhibit curator and art class program director of The Little Art Gallery in North Canton, Ohio for over 12 years. She holds a BA (summa cum laude) in Art History from Kent State University. As KIMONO Project Coordinator, she is the on-site point person for the blockbuster KIMONO exhibit coming to the Canton Museum of Art in February 2009, performing marketing, volunteer coordination and programming for KIMONOfest events. Contact Laurie at 330-453-1075, ext. 208 laurie@artsinstark.com
Sarah Winther Shumaker is our Outreach Coordinator. Responsible for managing all aspects of the SmArts Educational Project, Sarah will work with artists and educators who partner to increase academic performance through the arts. Her background as an artist and educator will serve her well as she lays the groundwork for the latest ArtsinStark initiative. Sarah holds a Masters Degree in Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History. She resides in North Canton with her husband, Steve and two sons. To reach Sarah, please call 330-453-1075, ext 207 or sarah@artsinstark.com
Anne Wadian is our Grants Officer. She has been with ArtsinStark for 10 years, serving in the capacity of Administrative Secretary for the first nine. Anne administers the Special Projects and Operating grants program, guiding organizations through the application process, preparing and maintaining grant documentation, and assisting panel members, in addition to assisting ArtsinStark’s Board of Directors and Fund for ArtsinStark campaign volunteers. Anne attended Ball State University and completed coursework at Edinboro University of PA. She resides in Massillon with her husband Tim and daughters, Catherine and Leslie. Contact Anne via 330-453-1075, ext 204 or awadian@artsinstark.com
Kim Yoder is the new Administrative Assistant/Receptionist at the 900 Cleveland Avenue NW office of ArtsinStark. Formerly a correspondent for The Repository and an advertising representative for The Ashland Times-Gazette, she was also served as office manager for a local concrete company. Kim’s duties include the bookkeeping functions of Fund for the Arts, receptionist for office, and secretarial duties for the Business Manager and Facility Manager, as well as various other office duties. Kim is married to Dave and has four children and 5 grandchildren. Contact Kim via 330-453-1075 or kyoder@artsinstark.com
Located in The Cultural Center for the Arts ...
Rob Barrett has been in facility management for the past 20 years managing various facilities for maintenance and custodial standards and security. Rob is a certified ISO 9000-2001 certified lead auditor. Rob’s specific expertise is in the field of energy management and waste reduction and has had proven success in these areas. Rob has worked at various facilities throughout Ohio including the Akron Federal Building and US Courthouse. Rob resides in Massillon with his wife Debra. They have one daughter, Rachel, who is a musician and lyricist. Contact Rob via 330-452-4096, ext 403 or rbarrett@artsinstark.com
Anne Ashby, Administrative Assistant began her career with the ArtsinStark in 1981. Since she began her 26 years of service at the center she has seen many changes and has enjoyed her work. Anne's duties include contracting rentals, keeps the schedule of events current, answers all incoming calls, greets the public, works in all aspects of the Fund for ArtsinStark campaign, assists the Business Manager and Facilities Manager in many different areas. Anne lives in North Canton. Contact Anne via 330-452-4096, ext 400 or aashby@artsinstark.com
Where we’re at
The offices of ArtsinStark are at
900 Cleveland Avenue NW
Canton, OH 44702
Phone 330-453-1105
Fax 330-452-4477
Our mailing address is
P.O. Box 21190
Canton, OH 44701-1190
The following community members serve proudly on the ArtsinStark BOARD
Jane Murphy Timken
Chairman of the Board
Robert Timken
Vice Chair
Joseph R. Halter
Immediate Past Chair
Mark Wright
Treasurer
Emil Alecusan
Assistant Treasurer
Dennis P. Saunier
Secretary
Aimee B. Belden
David Butz
Dian Christian
Bill R. Cook
Monique R. Cox-Moore
Jeff Day
Joel K. Dayton
Maxwell F. Deuble
Traci Dunn
Nancy Gessner
Laura Grabowsky
Jordan Greenwald
Jane Hamrle
Faye Heston
John Kristoff
David L. Kuntzman
Dr. Audrey Lavin
Carmela Lioi
Gregory Luntz
Roger Mann
Dan McGill
Bob Meyer
Dianne Oliver
Joseph D. Schauer
David W. Schultz
Susan Steiner
Jim Williams
Ex-Officio:
Timothy Barta
Vivian Leggett
Theresa Manzell
Paula Mastroianni
Rachel Schneider