FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Canton, Ohio): April 26, 2022, Canton, Ohio – The Canton Museum of Art (CMA) is pleased to announce that the Museum was awarded Visit Canton/ArtsInStark Cultural Tourism Grants in support of its Spring and Fall Exhibitions for 2022. CMA has been a part of the Visit Canton cultural tourism marketing efforts since the program’s inception in 2018, and most recently was awarded the first Major Arts Event Grant for its American Impressionism exhibition, Dancing in the Light.
Visit Canton, the Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau (CVB) in partnership with ArtsInStark, the County Arts Council awarded $131,364 in Cultural Tourism Grants in late February. Grants were awarded for the purpose of generating increased visitation and economic impact for the region through the support of arts and culture events and marketing initiatives. Applicants could apply for up to $20,000 for each approved marketing or event initiative to be completed by December 31, 2022.
With the funds from the Cultural Tourism Grants, CMA will further expand its marketing mix outside of the Stark County area. Using digital, social, radio, print, and television targeted marketing in and around Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, as well as counties bordering Stark County, has greatly increased the number of visitors coming to CMA from outside the Stark County area.
The Museum’s Executive Director & CEO Max R. Barton II said, “Cultural marketing and event production support has made a major difference in the Museum’s ability to reach new audiences throughout Northeast Ohio and a tri-state area for cultural tourists. In addition to visitors from around Ohio, social media and digital engagement has consistently reached visitors from New England, California, Texas, Florida, and others who have made the Museum and our city a stop on their visitation to Northeast Ohio for other attractions such as the Rock Hall, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
CMA considers cultural tourism appeal a major part of its curatorial and programming decision-making – one of the top five factors including artistic relevance, artistic excellence, diversity, and education.
“We are deeply committed to serving our community as a cultural resource, but also as an economic engine for our city and county through the impact of cultural tourism,” said Barton. “On average today, approximately 50 percent of our visitation comes from outside of Stark County, up from 19 to 23 percent only a few years ago. This is good not only economically for our city, but also culturally in connecting audiences with each other and with new experiences and engagement with art.
“We are most grateful for the confidence and support from Visit Canton, ArtsInStark, and our city and county in making these grant resources available as a means of strengthening and sustaining our community through the power of arts and culture.”
Learn more about CMA’s current and upcoming exhibitions at https://www.cantonart.org/
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About Visit Canton:
The Stark County Convention & Visitors’’ Bureau, d.b.a. Visit Canton, is funded by a lodging tax administered through the Stark County Commissioners. The organization’s mission is to promote travel to Stark County. Visit Canton facilitates operations that support a travel and tourism industry in Stark County. Visit Canton Contact: Allison Gromofsky | Manager of Grants & Promotions | 330.454.1439 | AllisonG@VisitCanton.com
About ArtsInStark:
ArtsInStark, Stark County’s arts council, is a 50-year-old nonprofit that uses the arts to create smarter kids, new jobs, and healthier communities. The organization represents over 900 cultural organizations, individual artists, and owns and manages the Cultural Center for the Arts. ArtsInStark Contact: David Whitehill | President & CEO | 330.409.7799 | dawhitehill@artsinstark.com
About Canton Museum of Art
Recognized for powerful original exhibitions and national touring exhibitions focused on American art and its influences, the Canton Museum of Art makes the discovery and exploration of art accessible to all. The Museum’s education outreach programs, School of Art classes, and workshops serve thousands of students of all ages. CMA’s acclaimed Collection focuses on American works on paper, primarily watercolors, and contemporary ceramics. CMA’s Artisan Boutique is open during regular Museum hours. Founded in 1935, CMA serves more than 45,000 visitors each year. Visit cantonart.org and follow the Museum on Facebook for updates, or call 330.453.7666 for more information.
CMA Exhibitions, Programming, and Operating Support: The Canton Museum of Art’s exhibitions, related programs, and operations are made possible in part through generous support from ArtsinStark, Visit Canton, Stark Community Foundation, The Hoover Foundation, the Paparella Family Foundation, and the Ohio Arts Council, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts and Institute of Museum and Library Services. CMA FREE Thursdays, offering free admission all day, is sponsored by PNC Foundation.
MEDIA: For Images and Additional Information about the Exhibitions Featured in this News Release, Please Contact Danielle Attar, Marketing & Events Director, at danielle@cantonart.org
