16 Stark County organizations receive cultural tourism grants

The Repository
·3 min read
The Prince Project performs at Nash Family-Jackson Amphitheater in Jackson Township.
The Prince Project performs at Nash Family-Jackson Amphitheater in Jackson Township.

CANTON – Visit Canton and ArtsinStark has awarded an additional $123,295 in cultural tourism grants to 16 Stark County organizations.

These awards are in addition to the $219,064 awarded earlier this year.

“Community partners continue to impress the committee with new partnerships, new entertainment offerings, and reimagination of staple community events to boost tourism in our community," ArtsinStark President and CEO David Whitehill said in a prepared statement. "Through this grant partnership, we are able to support these new projects and attract people to encounter our unique cultural experiences.”

The following organizations, communities and businesses received funding:

  • Pro Football Hall of Fame for the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic's Faith, Family & Football Gospel Concert, $20,000.

  • National First Ladies’ Library to support the "Beyond Camelot: The Life and Legacy of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassi" exhibit, which opened Tuesday, $20,000.

  • Hartville Kitchen Restaurant for the Hartville Kitchen Concert Series, $17,000.

  • Canton Fine Arts Associates to fund out-of-county marketing for the 50th Christkindl Markt at the Canton Museum of Art and Cultural Center for the Arts on Nov. 3-4, $9,500.

  • Pro Football Hall of Fame to support the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic's The Classic Tailgate & Game, $8,750.

  • Stark Si Se Puede! for out-of-county marketing and entertainment at the Canton Latino Fest in Centennial Plaza on Sept. 30, $8,150.

  • Queer in Canton for a national headliner as a main stage performer for the Stark Pride Festival in Centennial Plaza on June 10, $8,000.

  • Jackson Township for the Nash Family-Jackson Amphitheater 2023 Weekend Concert Series,$7,000.

  • Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce to support the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival's Fashion Show Luncheon at the Canton Memorial Civic Center on Aug. 4, $5,200.

  • 720 Market for out-of-county marketing and entertainment for the DEC 720 MKT at the Canton Memorial Civic Center and Cultural Center for the Arts on Dec. 10, $4,550.

  • EN-RICH-MENT for new entertainment at the third annual African American Arts Festival in Centennial Plaza on July 21-22, $4,500.

  • Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce for Nashville recording artist Kolby Oakley to perform at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Balloon Classic at Kent State University at Stark and Stark State campuses on July 29-31, $3,145.

  • University of Mount Union for out-of-county marketing for the 10th anniversary of Shakespeare at the Castle, which involves a performance of “Much Ado About Nothing” at Glamorgan Castle from July 27 to Aug. 6, $2,000.

  • Alliance Area Preservation Society/Haines Home for entertainment at the Historic Main Street Art and Music Festival on July 15, and to support live mural painting by the Alliance Alley Allies during Duck, Duck Jeep Fall Festival on Oct. 14, $1,600.

  • Small Town Monsters for the premiere of “On the Trail of Bigfoot Land of the Missing” at the Canton Palace Theatre on June 2, $1,000.

  • Canton Greek Fest to support stand-up comedian Ellen Karis, known as the “Greek Goddess of Comedy,” as the main stage performer at the Canton Greek Fest on June 8, $1,000.

  • Strauss Studios to support additional local and regional musicians at exhibit openings during Canton’s First Friday programming at Strauss Studios, $1,000.

  • Muggswigz Coffee and Tea Company to support musicians and artists at Celebrating the Craft on Oct. 14, $900.

The cultural tourism grants are funded through a 10-year agreement between Visit Canton and ArtsInStark to use one-sixth of the portion of Stark County lodging tax committed for the operation of the Convention & Visitors’ Bureau to support arts and culture initiatives that appeal to visitors.

A committee of five representatives from or appointed by Visit Canton and ArtsInStark review submitted applications.

Grant applications for initiatives taking place this year are open. The committee will review all applications submitted by June 1 and will award up to an additional $70,000 in support for projects to be completed this year. Interested organizations can get more information at visitcanton.com/partners/visit-canton-grant-program.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County organizations get Cultural Tourism Grants