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discussions, and lectures, would be included here. 2. Greater opportunities for arts-related professionals, like arts writers, scholars, art educators and independent curators. These individuals are also needed for a lively arts community in Akron. 3. Greater diversity of artcentered spaces. 4. Greater funding for arts, including funding for individuals and not only non-profits or institutions. 5. Greater awareness of the arts and its social value. 6. Greater access to the arts for all (Access here not only refers to the types of events or the amount of events but also to their affordability.) Greater access also means access for all of Akron’s communities (cultural and artistic) of all ages. 1.) Foster more times for artists and non-artists to learn from each other (all levels of artists from beginner to professional). 2.) Do special artist tour weekends twice a year - NOT once a month! Give the artists who are NOT in the downtown area a chance to show their studios/spaces/wares ....map it out! Let people create their OWN tours of the artists they want to see and experience in their spaces and places. (Maybe people didn't KNOW they had an artist in the neighborhood!) 3.) Have a map of potential studios for rent in the Akron area for artists. Encourage people to RENT to artists - or think of making space to rentable (and affordable) to artists. (There's a GREAT need for this in Akron!) A commitment to making the arts inclusive for both audiences and performers. A competitive gallery/dealer system that supports the Artists. One of the biggest Art dealers in the world is from Akron. There are other Gallerists and dealers from Akron in NYC and other major cities. Why are there no sister galleries in Akron? A concerted effort to focus and gather information about area performances; convening stakeholders about the meaning of arts in our area, and also its intersection with other nonprofit/civic concerns. Akron as a whole would probably need another major museum and performance space to get anywhere close. A lot A mid-size music venue. A miracle. A more cohesive plan, one that supports local business and creates walkable areas (We're too spread out) where you can stroll and experience things without needing an event to bring you to that area. A thriving creative economy accessibility to events- Lock 3 ramp is prohibitive, difficult to park blocks away and get to anything. Little opportunity to make these events available to low mobility, elderly or disabled. Accessible venues to showcase art and support of local artists. Additional cultural events and art displayed throughout the city. Advertise the events more...find places in more neighborhoods or stores to put up flyers for events around town, like Panera or Starbucks. Affordable studio space with 24 hour access. More galleries open to all artists of all skill levels and mediums. More adult education/class offerings. Stop throwing money at Summit Artspace, they do not engage the community, and people don’t buy art from their shows. Akron actually is a cheap place to live. Why there aren't more artists, writers and musicians here taking advantage of the cheap rent and empty buildings, I don't know. Akron definitely needs to hold itself up to a higher critical standard, however. It's a small town and sometimes
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