Artist Empowerment Award: The Artist Empowerment Award honors a local artist, artist-supporting organization, or artist advocate that/who uses their voice and platform to challenge traditional notions about who can become a practicing artist, and how. Nominees exemplify the breadth and depth of our communities, inspire and facilitate change, and help create and strengthen inclusive artist-centered connections and spaces. (Formerly the IDEA Leader)
Heather Meeker
As Executive Director of Curated Storefront, Heather Meeker leads collaborations with artists, curators, partners, and property owners to activate underused spaces for public, artist-centered work that strengthens connection, visibility, and sense of place in Akron. She shapes exhibitions and programs, builds partnerships, and aligns creative goals with resources to support artists effectively.
Over more than three decades in arts, culture, and education, Heather has built a career helping artists and arts organizations succeed. Before joining Curated Storefront in 2025, she served as Executive Director of Summit Artspace, where she provided artist-centered leadership, connecting local artists to the resources they need to thrive creatively, professionally, and financially. Before that, she spent 12 years helping to lead and grow The Musical Theater Project, where she directed active-learning programs serving more than 2,000 students annually and worked closely with teaching artists, staff, and board to build a strong performing arts organization. Her earlier work includes leadership positions at Hiram College, Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio, and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Her commitment to artists and arts learning also extends to volunteer service, including serving on Ohio Arts Council grant review panels and six years as an officer of the Miller South Drama Parents Association, which supports student endeavors at Akron Public Schools’ visual and performing arts magnet school. She is a proud alumna of the Heart 2 Heart Purposeful Leadership program and Leadership Akron’s Signature Class 40, and a past president of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron Board of Directors.
Recognized for uniting people around artists and their work, Heather increases engagement through strategic planning, partnerships, fundraising, education, and community initiatives. As a lifelong advocate for Northeast Ohio’s arts landscape, she creates environments where more people can engage with artists, join creative communities, and access meaningful support.
