15 Stark County organizations get receive cultural tourism grants. See which ones

CANTON – Visit Canton and ArtsinStark are handing out $148,850 in grants to 15 local organizations to support arts and cultural events and boost tourism.

“We are excited to be able to showcase our destination through these major special events, exhibits, festivals and concerts featuring nationally known talent and experiences," Visit Canton President and CEO Allyson Bussey said in a prepared statement.

Grants of up to $20,000 were available to eligible initiatives. The funding is in addition to $217,707 awarded earlier this year.

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The following organizations, communities and businesses received cultural tourism grants for projects and events, including some which have already taken place this year:

• Jerzee’s Cafe — Jerzee’s Café Centennial Plaza Entertainment: $20,000, mainstage entertainment featuring national recording artist and country star Jimmie Allen in Centennial Plaza on Aug. 3.
• Pro Football Hall of Fame — Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic – Community Day: $20,000, entertainment costs for national recording artist and gospel star Erica Campbell performing in Centennial Plaza on Aug. 31.
• McKinley Presidential Library & Museum — constellations and planetarium marketing campaign: $12,750, new, out-of-county marketing initiatives to promote “Constellations” exhibition and daily planetarium shows at the museum through Oct. 26.
• Bluecoats Inc. — Innovations In Brass Contest at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium: $11,000, enhanced entertainment, including a guest performance by the Concord, California, Blue Devils during Innovations in Brass at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Aug. 5.
• Canton Museum of Art — Special Exhibit: Cleveland Kokoon Klub – Unveiling the Bohemian Chrysalis: $10,625, new, out-of-county marketing initiatives for special winter exhibitions, opening November 2024.
• Pro Football Hall of Fame — Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic – The Classic & Tailgate: $10,000, in-game entertainment and visiting HBCU Bands for The Classic Tailgate and Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Sept. 1.
• Canton Palace Theatre — Unique Concert Experience at the Canton Palace Theatre: $10,000, new, out-of-county marketing initiatives and headliner fees for a national recording artist performing at the Canton Palace Theatre on Nov. 30.
• Bluecoats Inc. — Stark County Residency Performance Series: $9,000, new out-of-county marketing initiatives for the Opening Night Community Celebration at the University of Mount Union and Party in the Plaza in Centennial Plaza.
• Canton Symphony Orchestra Association — 2024-25 MasterWorks Season Subscription Campaign: $8,900, new out-of-county marketing initiatives promoting ticket subscriptions for the MasterWorks Season, September 2024-June 2025.
• National First Ladies Library & Museum — Speaking of Books Author Series with Jenna Bush Hager: $7,500, new, out-of-county marketing initiatives to promote Speaking of Books Author Series with Jenna Bush Hager in partnership with Stark Library at the Canton Palace Theatre on Oct. 24.
• Stark County Italian American Foundation — 2024 Stark County Italian American Festival: $5,775, enhanced cultural entertainment at the Stark County Italian American Festival in Centennial Plaza.
• The Wilderness Center Inc. — TWC’s Dot Barlowe Exhibit: $5,050, new, out-of-county marketing initiatives and display hanging system for new semi-permanent exhibit showcasing nature artist Dorothea Barlowe’s work.
• Stark Si Se Puede — 2024 Canton Latino Fest: $4,450, enhanced cultural entertainment at the Canton Latino Fest in Centennial Plaza on Sept. 7.
• Vocal Fusion — Vocal Fusion presents Christmas at the Palace: $3,500, new out-of-county marketing from holiday performances at the Canton Palace Theatre on Dec. 20-21.
• Juneteenth Community Festival Committee — Juneteenth Community Festival 2024: $3,000, regional mainstage entertainment and new, out-of-county marketing initiatives event at Nimisilla Park.
• Canton Symphony Orchestra Association — Fall 2024 Divergent Sounds Series: $2,500, new, out-of-county marketing initiatives to promote the Divergent Sounds Series taking place Oct. 3 and Nov. 7 at The Auricle.
• Alliance Area Preservation Society — Duck Duck Jeep Downtown Fall Festival: $2,300, new live music, live painter entertainment fees, and new out-of-county digital marketing initiatives for the Oct. 12 event in Historic Downtown Alliance.
• Downtown Massillon Association — Downtown Massillon Fun Fest 2024: $1,500, new, out-of-county marketing initiatives for Downtown Massillon Fun Fest on Aug. 10.
• Canton Symphony Orchestra Association — Rhapsody Blue Performance at Fairless High School: $1,000, new, out-of-county marketing initiatives to promote the Rhapsody Blue Performance on Nov. 24 at Fairless High School.

"Supporting cultural tourism efforts in Stark County is essential to keeping our community arts vibrant, as it fosters local talent and creativity, visitors who contribute to the economy and cultural richness of our region," ArtsinStark President and CEO Maureen Ater said in a prepared statement.

The cultural tourism grant criteria and application process are available at https://tinyurl.com/yukj83pd. A committee of five representatives from or appointed by Visit Canton and ArtsInStark reviewed 27 submitted applications requesting over $317,000 in support.

Cultural tourism grants are funded through a 10-year cooperative agreement between Visit Canton and ArtsInStark to use a portion of Stark County lodging tax to support arts and culture initiatives that appeal to visitors.