The Arts are on Fire in Stark County!

That's what people tell us at the County Arts Council. That it feels like the arts are on fire here. Not just community leaders but arts organizations -- and artists. In May, our Fund for ArtsinStark finished raising its largest amout ever: $1,350,000. In the last 20 months we've given out over $400,000 in new Special Project Grants to over 120 Stark County non-profits, while still providing over $800,000 in Operating Grants to the Resident Companies at the Cultural Center. With the hosting of "Garbage to Glory" and "Gaia's Hope" and now the Green Arts Project "Critters", public art in the county is starting to take off. We will announce the new Smarts Educational Project this fall to supercharge learning in the schools. Mike King's "Studio 5" in downton Canton has joined "2nd April" and the Palace Theatre as major arts spaces. And SID: the Special Improvement District's new "First Fridays" have just begun and are on their way to becoming a monthly party. Massillon and Alliance are both looking at new public art initiatives. And the blockbuster KIMONO is coming to the Canton Museum of Art and Stark County in February 2009. Much much more on that later. So go out and try something new, and give us some feedback. We're all about "growing the arts to create smarter kids, new jobs, and healthier communities."

This is the first of many!

Hi and welcome to the ArtsinStark blog.

Sometimes Robb H. will be the author and sometimes it will be me, Judi C. (The trick is to figure out who is doing what - when!) In any case, we're happy that your're here and willing to listen (well, read) our thoughts on different things happening with the Arts in Stark County.