$219,064 in Cultural Tourism Grants Awarded To 14 Stark County Organizations – Visit Canton and ArtsinStark awarded $219,064 in Cultural Tourism Grants to 14 Stark County organizations. Learn which local organizations received grants right here on Newsymom!

$219,064 in Cultural Tourism Grants Awarded To 14 Stark County Organizations

Stark County, Ohio – Visit Canton and ArtsinStark awarded $219,064 in Cultural Tourism Grants to 14 Stark County organizations.  Cultural Tourism Grants are 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.

Grant awards up to $20,000 were available to eligible initiatives completed by December 31, 2023. The complete Cultural Tourism Grant criteria and application process are available to view here.  A committee of five representatives from or appointed by Visit Canton, the Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, and ArtsInStark, the Stark County Arts Council, reviewed 54 submitted applications requesting over $720,000 in support.

Visit Canton, President & CEO Allyson Bussey shared, “The Committee was very impressed with the projects presented through the Cultural Tourism Grant program. Not only were we delighted to award grant funds to several organizations, but we will have the opportunity to support all the applicants with Visit Canton’s free promotional tools. Our arts, cultural, and historical attractions and events create significant economic impact in our communities through visitor spending and we look forward to visitors experiencing these exciting events and exhibitions this year.”

David Whitehill, ArtsinStark, President & CEO, shared similar sentiments “There is no doubt about it – arts boost tourism in our community. Our museums, galleries, festivals, and amphitheaters draw visitors from wider regions and create opportunities for people to encounter unique experiences.”

The following organizations, communities, and businesses received Cultural Tourism Grants:

720 Market | 720 MKT April-September 2023
$15,000 – Out-of-county marketing and CAMP Creative experiences

Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve | “Woven” Outdoor Art Museum
$17,952 – New, walk-through, interactive, open-air organic weaving exhibit opening in summer 2023

Bluecoats, Inc. | Innovations In Brass Contest at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
$ 20,000 – Enhanced entertainment during the Innovations In Brass Contest at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 7, 2023

Canton Ballet | “The Nutcracker”

$20,000 – Out-of-county marketing and enhanced entertainment costs for the Canton Symphony Orchestra to perform live during the evening performances at the Canton Palace Theatre in December 2023

Canton Ballet | “Alice in Wonderland”

$8,825 – New production including costumes, guest choreographer, and out-of-county marketing buys for performances at the Cultural Center for the Arts Main Stage in May 2023

Canton Ballet | “New Works”

$500 – Out-of-county marketing for the new production with performances at the Cultural Center for the Arts Main Stage in October 2023

Canton Museum of Art | 2023 CMA Exhibition Season – Spring

$11,000 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives for spring exhibitions opening April 2023

Canton Museum of Art | 2023 CMA Exhibition Season – Summer/Fall

$11,000 – Out-of-county marketing for summer and fall exhibitions opening August 2023

Canton Museum of Art | 2023 CMA Exhibition Season — Winter

$15,000 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives for winter exhibitions opening November 2023

Canton Palace Theatre Association | Miracle at Manchester Movie Premiere

$3,500 – Actor appearances and out-of-county marketing for the film premiere February 4, 2023, at the Canton Palace Theatre

Canton Palace Theatre Association | 2023 Concert Movie Film Experience Film Series

$7,250 – Out-of-county marketing for four interactive concert film experiences throughout 2023

Canton Palace Theatre Association | 2023 Centennial Plaza Movie Series

$1,750 – Addition of new themed character appearances during the Summer Movie series at Centennial Plaza

Canton Symphony Orchestra | MasterWorks: Magico

$12,900 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives, guest artist Westwater Arts, and music for the March 5 performance

Canton Symphony Orchestra | MasterWorks 4: “Scheherazade”

$12,900 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives and guest composer for the world premiere of a new work performed during the January 22 concert

Canton Symphony Orchestra | Pops 1 “Labra Brothers”

$11,650 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives and guest artist for the November 4 performance in partnership with the Canton Latino Fest at the Canton Palace Theatre

Carnation City Players | Carnation City Players Marketing Expansion Efforts

$2,240 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives for performances of “The Music Man”, February 24-March 5, and “Always…Patsy Cline”, May 12-21 at the Firehouse Theater

Massillon Museum | 90th Anniversary Event and Marketing Support

$10,000 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives and guest artist for Rhythms Concert Series

Massillon Museum | 2023 Exhibition Marketing Support

$10,000 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives for the 2023 Exhibition Season

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum | Brick Flicks

$17,000 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives to promote “Brick Flicks” exhibit on display June 1-August 30

Muggswigz Coffee and Tea Company | Open Mic at Muggswigz

$2,800 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives, guest artist, and enhanced outdoor open mic series

 

Sing Stark | Vox Audio’s “Through the Decade’s Playlist”

$2,275 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives and addition of a live band to April 15 performances at the Glenoak Performing Arts Center

Sing Stark | Sing Stark presents “Let It Snow” featuring Vox Audio

$2,875 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives, the addition of a string quartet, and enhanced guest experience for December 16 -17 performances at the Cultural Center for the Arts

Spring Hill Historic Home | 2023 Underground Railroad Experience

$647 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives and professional reenactors for the June 24 event

Raphael Center, Inc. | Catholic Answers Radio Show Ad

$2,000 – Out-of-county marketing initiatives in partnership with the Catholic Answers Radio Show to promote the Mother Angelica Museum

Cultural Tourism Grants are funded through a 10-year cooperative agreement between Visit Canton and ArtsInStark to utilize 1/6 of the portion of Stark County lodging tax committed for the operation of the Convention & Visitors’ Bureau for granting financial support to arts and culture initiatives that appeal to visitors.

Cultural Tourism Grant applications for initiatives taking place in 2023 are open. Interested organizations can find out more information at visitcanton.com/partners/visit-canton-grant-program.

 

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