Akron Area Arts Alliance

“The 990 is reviewed by the board prior to filing.”

“The conflict of interest policy requires all board members and staff to promptly report all conflicts of interest as well as update their conflict of interest disclosures on an annual basis. In addition, the executive director and board as a whole are continuously monitoring the organization for conflicts of interest. All conflicts of interest are brought to the attention of the board, who ensures enforcement of the conflict of interest policy.”

“The board evaluates the executive director annually and determines compensation using appropriate salary surveys and other information.”

“Governing documents are made available to the public upon request.”

“Summit artspace connects artists and artist-serving organizations to the community and to the resources they need to thrive professionally, creatively and financially. It's core values of creativity, collaboration and community guide the current strategic plan, which focuses on six key priority areas: 1) supporting artists at all levels of their creative journey, 2) encouraging participation in the arts through education and outreach, 3) serving as a vital creative resource for the community, 4) increasing awareness and visibility throughout the community, 5) building financial sustainability through revenue growth and 6) diversifying artists we serve. Additionally, summit artspace seeks to build public awareness concerning the value of arts and culture to our area's economy, quality of life and sense of place for those that live, work or go to school in the five-county service area of summit, portage, medina, cuyahoga, and stark counties.”

“Summit artspace relies on volunteers to assist in the delivery of its mission. Leadership volunteers serve as members of the board of directors and executive committee along with serving on committees. Program volunteers assist with leading programs and workshops such as artist as an entrepreneur institute, docents during gallery hours, represent summit artspace at community events. Gallery sitter volunteers serve as subject matter experts on the exhibitions and facilitate sales of pieces available for purchase during an exhibition. Summit artspace hosts interns from local high schools and higher education institutions to provide shadowing and hands on experiences for those considering pursuing a career in arts administration or the creative sector.”

“Programs to assist creatives along their journey are an important component to summit artspace's mission. The signature offering is artist as an entrepreneur institute (aei) that provides business skill building sessions from local content experts to train creatives for self-sufficiency. Artists participating in the program represent multiple mediums including theatre, dance and visual artists. Conducted in a multi-week cohort model, this allows artists the support and support system to grow. Additional programming centers around professional development for established artists or skill building techniques for emerging artists in the community. All programs are offered at a reasonable and affordable cost and most offer scholarships to participants that cannot afford the program. Summit artspace collaborates with local arts organizations to offer meeting and instruction space at an in-kind or reduced rate when public health orders permit.”

“Summit artspace represents two community art centers bringing together some of the best local artists and art serving organizations of summit county and the five-county area it serves. Locations were operated at 140 e. Market street in akron and at 571 w. Tuscarawas avenue in barberton. As a community arts center summit artspace is home to over 30 artists and artist-serving organizations for working studio space that allow artists to create work and engage with the public. The summit artspace on east market, the building formally the first site of the akron beacon journal, is owned by the county of summit and is a valued partner in ensuring free and public access to the arts. The barberton location in that city's arts and entertainment district is owned by the city of barberton and its gallery is also free and open to the public.”