#1
Play the Organ at
the Palace + Movie Party!
#2
Cultural Center Plaza Party + Name the Alley!
#3
Painting Party
& Dinner!
#4
A Night on the
(Down)Town!
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With your financial gift, we can continue to ensure that Stark County “Starts with Art.” Your dollars will enable us to:
- Improve the CULTURAL CENTER, creating a true community space for the arts.
- Provide $1.1 MILLION IN ARTS GRANTS to the Canton Ballet, Canton Museum of Art, Canton Palace Theatre, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Massillon Museum, Players Guild Theatre, and Sing Stark.
- Reach thousands of kids—30,000 and counting—through our SMARTS PROGRAM.
- Host arts experiences throughout the county, including FIRST FRIDAY in the Canton Arts District, which has welcomed 250,000 people to date.
- Invest in STARK COUNTY COMMUNITIES—a total of $2 million over the past 12 years.
DID YOU KNOW?
Players Guild Theatre
The Players Guild Theatre, one of Northeast Ohio's premier venues for quality live theatre, offers a full season of entertaining musicals and gripping dramas in a beautiful facility located within the Cultural Center for the Arts. The Players Guild Theatre was founded in 1932 by Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Truxton, who were committed to fostering a lifelong appreciation of the arts among citizens in our community. It is recognized as one of the oldest continually operating theatres in the nation. Throughout its history, the Players Guild has produced over 600 productions for more than 2,000,000 audience members spanning several generations. Today the theatre is operated by a full-time professional staff and presents world-class productions and outreach opportunities for our community.
Canton Palace Theatre
Monday, November 22, 1926 in Downtown Canton, amidst nine other local movie theatres, a standing-room-only crowd awaited the opening of a "jewel in the crown," Harry Harper Ink's million-dollar vaudeville and movie house, The Canton Palace Theatre. The Theatre was designed by John Eberson of Chicago, who achieved fame during the 1920s through his creation of "atmospheric" theatres located in cities across the United States, including Akron's Civic Theatre. The Palace seeks to re-create a Spanish courtyard on a midsummer night. Its ceiling, a starry night with wisps of clouds, creates a dream effect. The Palace still has the original cloud machine that makes the clouds march continuously across the sky.
Today, the Palace is both the literal and figurative cornerstone of the Downtown Canton Arts District. A vital multi-purpose entertainment facility, its marquee burns brightly sixty feet above Market Avenue, welcoming you to enter its grand foyer and become a part of Canton's nostalgic past. Hosting over 300 events a year, with an attendance of over 100,000 guests, the Palace also strives to be an important part of Canton's future.
Workplace Spotlight: Employers Health
Since 1983, Employers Health has provided resources, tools, and expertise to help plan sponsors deliver access to high-quality health benefits at a sustainable cost. Their company is committed to maintaining the vitality of this area and employees are often seen volunteering their time.
ArtsinStark thanks them and their leader Chris Goff for being an exceptional workplace for the arts.
Workplace Spotlight: Aultman Health Foundation
Serving Stark and surrounding counties since 1892, Aultman Hospital is the largest hospital and the largest employer, with over 5000 employees, in Stark County. Aultman offers high-quality health care services and educational and career opportunities through the Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences and other area schools. They strive to improve the health of our community through The Aultman Foundation offering health and wellness education.
With 808 licensed beds, 535 active physicians in more than 40 different medical specialties, Aultman's impact on our area is pivotal to the vitality of our community.
Canton Museum of Art
The Canton Museum of Art (CMA) is one of Ohio's premier museums for an exceptional visual arts experience. CMA is recognized for powerful exhibitions focused on American art, its influences and themes that allow everyone to connect with creativity and cultural heritage. The Museum's diverse education programs serve thousands of students and adults of all ages.
CMA's acclaimed Collection focuses on American works on paper, primarily watercolors, and ceramics. Founded in 1935, CMA is a cultural destination for the city and region, with community events and programs making the inspiration of art accessible to all - serving nearly 45,000 participants annually.
Massillon Museum
The Massillon Museum was founded in 1933 to preserve the history of Massillon, Ohio. Now, it is a local art and history museum, which has major collections of photography; costumes and textiles; china, glass and pottery; domestic appliances; and circus memorabilia. The Museum was first accredited in 1972 by the American Association of Museums (now the American Alliance of Museums) and has continued to be accredited by the AAM since that time. Their permanent collection contains over 100,000 items, mostly gifts from the community.
Today, their mission is to collect, preserve and exhibit art and artifacts to enrich our community through education and experience.
Grantee Spotlight: Into Light
The national nonprofit organization Into Light, which is dedicated to reducing the stigma and shame associated with drug addiction through the power of art, brought its exhibit to the Malone Art Gallery during the winter of 2021 with support from an ArtsinStark special project grant. Into Light creates forums for sharing stories, providing support, and offering education and activities that address the drug epidemic. The purpose of the Into Light project is to honor the lives of those who have died from drug addiction in their entirety, rather than defining these lives only by the disease of addiction and their cause of death. Canton artist Heather Bullach contributed 21 original graphite portraits of individuals from Ohio who have lost their lives to drug addiction. Twenty additional portraits were done by Into Light Executive Director Theresa Clower.
Canton Ballet
One of Ohio's oldest and most successful arts institutions, Canton Ballet was founded by school director Suanne Ferguson and board president Jane Bingham Fawcett as Canton Civic Ballet in 1965. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Cassandra Crowley since 1981, Canton Ballet is now one of the foremost arts organizations in the state. With the School of Canton Ballet, a company of more than 35 pre-professional dancers, and an expansive repertoire, Canton Ballet is a highly regarded training ground for serious young dancers.
The School of Canton Ballet has a current enrollment of 325 students ages toddler to adult.
Sing Stark!
Founded in 1939, Sing Stark has shared the "joy of singing" with Stark County for eight decades. The existence of Sing Stark is credited to the passion of one woman, Dorothy Kerst Davis, who after spending a summer at the Chautauqua Music Festival wanted to bring opera home to Canton, Ohio. Over the past 80 years, the founding chorus has performed in several countries including Germany, France, England, Wales, Scotland and Canada. In 2015, the chorus was honored by an invitation to perform at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Today, the commitment to use choral art to educate, inspire and unite is forefront in the work of Sing Stark. Armed with research reporting that "singing together" makes us heathier, happier and more creative, the Sing Stark staff if focused on creating innovative, engaging programming that makes singing together user friendly.
Canton Symphony Orchestra
The Canton Symphony Orchestra receives ArtsinStark operating support and is one of the most highly respected small-budget symphony orchestras in the United States. With musical leadership from nationally recognized conductor Gerhardt Zimmermann—now in his 40th year as Music Director—the CSO is ranked by the region's leading musicians as second only to the Cleveland Orchestra in this part of the state.
Louisville's Umbrella Alley
Between shops along Main Street in the Louisville's downtown, 185 brightly colored umbrellas hang suspended from a wire pulley system. Louisville's Umbrella Alley became a must-see in 2020 after creators Rick and Raeann Guiley saw a similar display on a trip to Portugal. With the help of an ArtsinStark 2020 Vision Grant, Umbrella Alley has become a destination spot and is already bringing people together from all over the area, including surrounding states.
Little Free Library
ArtsinStark has awarded over $2 million through the grant program to 900 small non-profits, artists, and schools in every single community in Stark County. With the support of a Special Project Grant from ArtsinStark, the Paul & Carol David YMCA worked with artist Alaina Lingenhoel to create a Little Free Library, with the help of over 170 children enrolled in their 4 before & after school programs. Participants hand painted rocks to create an artistic environment for the library, and available books will revolve around art.
It is their hope that they can hold a grand opening in late spring / early summer so that they can begin adding books and officially open their Little Free Library!
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David Whitehill, ArtsinStark President & CEO
ArtsinStark is directly involved in funding these projects and many more that directly benefit our community:
- Painting classes for domestic violence shelter residents to build confidence and self esteem.
- Free Canton-themed children’s book publication and distribution to schools and libraries.
- Music therapy program for hospice patients and families to aid in symptom management.
- Free monthly summer lunchtime concert series featuring local musicians.
- Arts focused learning residencies in 16 Stark County school districts.
As Honorary Chairs, we are proud to support ArtsinStark’s annual campaign, Start with Art. Throughout its history, ArtsinStark has developed our community by leveraging the arts as a vehicle to create new jobs, smarter kids, and healthier communities. Together, we stand up for ArtsinStark and the 900 cultural organizations, individual artists and makers it supports.
Play Video
ALLYSON BUSSEY, President & CEO,
Visit Canton, &
TONJA MARSHALL,
Executive VP, Visit Canton
Play Video
CATHY WYATT Owner, Carpe Diem Coffee Shop &
PATRICK WYATT, Downtown Canton
Special Improvement District
Play Video
KYLE STONE, Stark County Prosecutor &
LAMAR SHARPE, President, Be A Better Me
Play Video
JANET CREIGHTON, Stark County Commissioner &
THOMAS BERNABEI, Mayor, City of Canton
Your DONATION OF $50 OR MORE grants you a raffle entry for your choice from the following incredible arts experiences. Plus, receive a bonus raffle entry for the prize of your choice for EVERY ADDITIONAL $100 YOU DONATE.
Play the Organ at the Palace + Movie Party!
Play the Organ at the Palace + Movie Party!
Join Jay Spencer, resident organist of the Canton Palace Theatre, for a lesson and performance on the Kilgen Organ! PLUS, invite 9 of your friends/family to join you for the movie with snacks and soda.
Donated by the Palace Theatre
DONATE NOW
Donated by the Palace Theatre
Cultural Center Plaza Party + Name the Alley!
Cultural Center Plaza Party + Name the Alley!
The Cultural Center Plaza is yours for a private party for 20. PLUS, you name the alley next to the Plaza for one year!
Donated by the Cultural Center & Buehler’s Fresh Foods
DONATE NOW
Donated by the Cultural Center & Buehler’s Fresh Foods
Painting Party + Dinner
Painting Party + Dinner
Join artist Tim Carmany and nine of your friends to paint a mural on the exterior of The Hub. Followed by burgers at George's!
Donated by Tim Carmany, the Hub Art Factory & George’s Lounge
DONATE NOW
Donated by Tim Carmany, the Hub Art Factory & George’s Lounge
A Night on the (Down)Town!
A Night on the (Down)Town!
It’s Date Night for Two! Enjoy dinner at Bender’s Tavern, drinks at Grapes in a Glass, a show at Avenue Arts, a tour of The Eleven with Robb Hankins, and an overnight stay and brunch at the DoubleTree Canton Downtown by Hilton and 330 Bar & Grill.
Donated by the experience’s hosts
DONATE NOW
Donated by the experience’s hosts
Thank you for joining us in supporting the arts as a vital part of our community and keeping Stark County a vibrant place to live.
Our Annual Arts Campaign wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for our supportive local workplaces! We are so thankful to the workplaces who partner with us at ArtsinStark through the Annual Arts Campaign as their support provides quality arts education, healthy communities, and local jobs all throughout our county!
Want to be a part of the fun?
Your workplace can help support the mission of ArtsinStark by hosting its own Workplace Arts Campaign! There are fun and easy ways for your employees and company to interact with their community through arts opportunities, professional development, and employee engagement. Want a guest artist to perform? A hands-on arts activity? Compete in a team trivia contest? We can make it happen! Your workplace campaign can be as creative and fun as you are! We have gifts and prizes to help incentivize your employees to be involved as well!
How can we help you?
Our staff at ArtsinStark is committed to help you host a successful Arts Campaign. We will help you plan and organize an enjoyable, creative experience in support of ArtsinStark. Contact us for assistance as we strive to be the only Arts Drive nationwide to meet our goal for 16 years!
