Akron Soul Train

“Kasota artist management, llc. Performed those duties that would customarily be performed by the organization's chief management official, such as the executive director. The organizatin's president, nancy brennan, has an ownership interest in kasota artist management, llc.”

“The 990 is distributed to the board of directors for their review.”

“The board of directors reviewed financial reports and approved agreements and significant transactions during the year monitoring for conflicts of interest. All conflicts of interest were addressed by the board of directors in compliance with the conflict of interest policy”

“Compensation was reviewed and approved by the board based on an analysis of the fair value of such services in the local community.”

“Governing documents were made available upon request”

“Akron soul train is an artist residency program connecting and empowering the community and artists by granting residencies that provide resources to all creative disciplines, thereby fostering a more vibrant downtown akron. Founded in 2016 as a result of winning a 2015 knight arts challenge grant, akron soul train provides artists with the resources to create and exhibit new bodies of work.”

“The ast board is comprised of all volunteers. The board meets on a quarterly basis. Meetings are normally 90 minutes long. Board volunteers are a cross section of the arts and business community in akron, ohio. Each member brings a plethora of experience and insight into the operations and governance of a startup nonprofit arts organization. The board is comprised of 9 members. A total of 4 board meetings were held in 2020. In addition to governance, board members have also been active in fundraising and community outreach. Ast held several events in 2020. Board members attended these events and assisted with explaining in ast's mission, its goals, anticipated outcomes, and impact on akron ohio. Ast's board members are well known and respected in the summit county area. By volunteering their time and talent, as well as donating their treasure, the ast board has lent an air of credibility to such a new nonprofit enterprise. This has held ast in good stead with potential funders, members, and volunteers, as well as assuring success.”

“Akron soul train has awarded 49 artists with residencies since its inception. The akron soul train selection committee scores artists on the innovativeness of their work proposal, originality of their community engagement component and quality of past work in order to bring to the akron community top-notch cultural experiences. Akron soul train exists not only to support artists in creating a new body of work, but also to share their experiences with the public. A significant portion of the application process includes applicants demonstrating their plans for a public program consisting of a workshop, demonstration, project interaction, or artist talk and what needs they have in order to achieve success. Each artist works with the committee and staff trained in arts management to fully develop their plans for public engagement with their work. The benefit of a residency with ast is summed up by micah kraus, "i was able to collaborate with floco torres, nccakron and stephen tomasko. Having the exhibition after the residency pushed me to make a cohesive body of work, which has led to artistic momentum as well as many art sales. Additionally, i have been invited to exhibit in other shows because of the exposure of the residency and exhibit." akron soul train enjoys collaborating with a variety of organizations throughout greater akron for performance space, marketing assistance, volunteer recruitment, specialty studio spaces including printmaking equipment, recording equipment, and kilns. These organizations are instrumental to the work of akron soul train by ensuring our artists have access to the materials they need to complete their proposed project. Residency work is exhibited at the burton d. Morgan exhibition space within the akron soul train gallery located in the heart of akron's downtown arts district. Akron soul train has established itself as a place for equity, and the relationships forged throughout the community have laid a foundation in attracting a diverse pool of artist residency applicants. We are proud that the diversity among the chosen artists occurs organically. Each artist brings their own voice resulting in 38% minority and 46% female representation for the 2021 season of artists in residence. The 2021 season included thirteen residencies culminating in eight visual arts exhibitions, an experimental film, a contemporary indian dance performance, an interdisciplinary performance and two public artworks.”