Summit Artspace

Programs to assist artists with wraparound care and professional skills are an important opportunity for summit artspace to implement the akron cultural plan across multiple priorities, including talent development. A signature offering is its artist care programs (artist launchpad, professional practice, and one-to-one), which provide entrepreneurial and skill building sessions from local artists and content experts to support artists as they develop their practices. Participating artists represent multiple mediums including theatre, dance and visual art. Programs are offered on a sliding scale, and most offer scholarships to participants who require financial support. Summit artspace collaborates with local artists and arts/culture organizations to offer rehearsal, meeting, instruction and space at an in-kind or reduced rate. Summit artspace also provides fiscal sponsorship for artist-centered projects.

Summit artspace is home to nearly 30 artists and artist-serving organizations for working studio space that allow artists to create work and engage with the public. The building, formally the headquarters of the akron beacon journal and the akron public library, is owned by the county of summit, which is a valued partner in ensuring free and public access to the arts. Summit artspace produces public programs that encourage a robust and sustained "exchange" between the northeast ohio residents and summit county artists. Outcomes include increased arts engagement, direct connections with local artists, and artwork sales. Events include artwalk, artist sunday, the arts alive awards, and partnerships with other organizations such as junior leadership akron, summit dd, summit county public health, and the office of u.s. Rep. Emilia sykes (14th congressional student arts exhibition).