History and Mission

ArtsinStark is a 50-year-old non-profit that uses the arts to create smarter kids, new jobs, and healthier communities.

Throughout our history, ArtsinStark has served our community by leveraging the arts as a vehicle to create new jobs, smarter kids, and healthier communities. 
We represent over 900 cultural organizations, individual artists, and makers who nourish Stark County.

The past decades have been challenging for cultural organizations in the United States. Our Canton and Stark County organizations have faced increased competition for audiences and funding, as well as ever-growing fixed costs to produce high-quality programming.

Today, we are strengthened by the extraordinary support from our community, creative contributions from the musicians, artists, and educators, the dedication of our Board and staff, and strong partnerships from our partner cultural organizations.

We are now in growth mode, reimagining a more CREATIVE, EMPOWERED, and EQUITABLE Stark County with our role as:

ArtsinStark

Your Center for Arts and Culture

We strengthen the social, physical, and economic fabrics of this community. Along with our partners and investors, we lead the development of and advocacy for a stronger, more inclusive, and highly collaborative network of arts and culture nonprofits and artists in Stark County.

We operate the Cultural Center for the Arts, downtown Canton’s cultural centerpiece and home to four resident companies: the Canton Museum of Art, Canton Ballet, and Sing Stark! And our primary partners reach beyond the Cultural Center, including the Massillon Museum, Canton Symphony Orchestra, and Canton Palace Theatre.

All told, our partners reach more than 200,000 visitors per year. Our work supports non-profits, artists, and schools in every single community in Stark County.

Why?

We build community and inspire everyone in Stark County.

Your Center of Education and Opportunity

As a facilitator in the development of arts education programming for our community, we elevate nationally recognized educational programs, accessible to every child, adult, and lifelong learner. We are a partner to our schools, educators, and students, providing continuing opportunities from pre-K all the way through high school and beyond.

Our educational programs focus on offering students a wide range of opportunities, from experiencing symphonic music for the first time to modern dance and ballet and to painting classes and ceramics.

As school arts programs face budget cutbacks and shortfalls, we will serve more students across our community, helping to fill the gaps found in art curriculum.

Why?

We support the personal growth of all of our citizens in Stark County.

Your Cultural Destination for Canton and Stark County

Our growing region is a world-class center for opportunity, business, and innovation. By investing in and pioneering programs and services that engage audiences more broadly and deeply, ArtsinStark leads our community’s renaissance.

Why?

We help Stark County grow and thrive in a world economy.

The ArtsinStark Community Campaign:
Philanthropy in Action, Building Community.

Philanthropic support affirms us as a vibrant cultural community asset – one that is shaped by Canton and Stark County, whose offerings are uniquely of Canton and Stark County, and whose vision for the future is designed for Canton and Stark County.

We serve the community through ongoing support from donors at all levels. Our supporters are our partners, whose philanthropic investment:

  • Nurtures the artists and organizations who bring passion and artistry to our community
  • Fosters partnership and collaboration and with creative leaders and organizations, elevating economic activity and opportunity for all of our citizens
  • Amplifies our work to lift up artists, organizations, and ideas that bring creativity, inclusivity, and inspiration to our community
 

News & Profile Submission Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in sharing your arts and culture news or profile in ArtsinStark’s feed! Please make sure your news meets the following guidelines before submitting, or we may be unable to include it on our site:

  • News or profile must be related to an artist or organization in Stark County, Ohio.
  • News or profile must be arts, entertainment or culture related. 

Event Submission Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in sharing your event in ArtsinStark’s event calendar! Please make sure your event meets the following guidelines before submitting, or we may be unable to include your event:

  • Priority will be given to events organized by or in support of local non-profit organizations. 
  • Event must take place in Stark County, Ohio.
  • Event must be arts, entertainment or culture related. 
  • Event must be open to the public. No private events.
  • Event can be free or ticketed but must include a link to a website or social media event where more information is available. 
  • Event must be submitted at least one week prior to the start date.