PRIORITY #4:
Utilize Art as a Placemaking Tool
Civic Spaces
Culture and the Parks: Expand the use of the park systems in Akron through the following:
Develop a plan for public art in conjunction with Summit Metro Parks;
Increase cultural programming in outdoor spaces in city-operated parks, Summit Metro Parks, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Culture Districts: Explore the designation of neighborhood-level arts and culture districts. Encourage businesses within designated districts to embrace the district brand and work with culture creators and individual artists to enliven their storefronts. Distinct qualities of the district include: walkability, accessible spaces, a variety of venues, nightlife opportunities, concentration of small local shops, local food vendors and restaurants, proximity to parks, and access to transportation.
Downtown Akron as Cultural Destination: Celebrate and market downtown Akron as the premier arts and culture district for local and national tourism and bolster the collective ownership of downtown and its cultural amenities for all Akron residents.
Culture Awards: Explore the development of an Annual Mayor’s Cultural Awards in conjunction with ArtsNow. Award categories could include:
Outdoor Recreation;
Cultural Excellence;
Artistic Excellence;
Artistic Innovation;
Arts Education; and
Advancing Equity.
Public Space Performers: Increase opportunities for free expression in public that requires minimal permitting. These dedicated spaces would allow artists and performers to use public space that does not interfere with the flow of traffic or pedestrians.
Placemaking Initiatives
Preservation Plans: Affirm civic identity and community heritage through the built environment. Leverage Akron’s rich architectural history to affirm civic identities and diverse community heritage. Historic Preservation must be utilized to maintain and rehabilitate buildings and spaces that are culturally significant.
Invest in a Preservation Plan for the City of Akron’s historic resources. Buildings that are historic should be identified and reviewed for eligibility on the National Register, providing a pathway to access state and federal historic tax credits.
Identify and apply for funding for placement of Ohio Historical Markers at newly identified sites throughout Akron.
Community Cultural Festivals: Invest in expanding and creating festivals which celebrate, engage, and inform the Akron community about the rich history of the region as well as the diversity of our community.
City Policies for Festivals: Appoint a City of Akron staff or private contractor to examine and rewrite policies related to festivals. Ensure policies are equitable, available in multiple formats (multi-lingual, audibly available online, etc.), and provide a streamlined application process that is consistent and clearly stated. This person should also be responsible for assisting festival organizers in navigate permitting, licensing, and resources through coordination across permitting agencies.