Arts Alive 2023

Colorful Arts Alive Awards logo
Three photos of people standing together with awards. Caption reads, 'from left to right: Shara Cocchiola, Antonio Rion, Heather Meeker, Hal Walker, Natalie Grieshammer Patrick, Josy Jones, and Floco Torres.

You’re invited to attend either in-person or virtually! 

Award winner graphic with winner's listed in text that reads, 'Congratulations to the 2023 Arts Alive award recipients! Arts Alive Award: David Shimotakahara, Lifetime Achievement: Eva Kwong, Summit Artspace Champion: Peg's Foundation, Arts Educator: Antoine Pastor, Arts Patron: Liz Maugans, Collaborative Projects: River in the City, Engage Akron Window Art Project, Emerging Artist: Angel Newhem-Valenzuela, IDEA Leader: Mia Klinger, Outstanding Artist in Dance: Christina Lindhout, Outstanding Artist in Theatre: Neema Bal, Outstanding Artist in Music: Angie Haze, Outstanding Visual Artist: Matt Miller, Outstanding Literary Artist: Jason Blakely, Rising Arts Leader: Jenn Kidd.
Colorful map of Summit and surrounding counties with a compass in the left top corner.
Logos for Arts Alive Awards Presenting sponsors. Logos include First Energy, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, Energy Harbor, Robert J. Events and Catering, Bober Markey Fedorovich, 91.3 FM the Summit, Bio Performance Solutions, Jim and Leslie Pickard, Steel and Company Law firm, Synthomer Foundation, Young and Associates, Meaden and Moore Ltd., Roetzel and Andress, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs LLP.

Award Categories

Emerging Artist: An individual in the visual or performing arts with less than five years working in their discipline, who illustrates outstanding potential for making a significant impact on his or her discipline through creativity and growth.

Outstanding Artists: Individual artists whose work within their field has made a significant impact within the discipline over five years or more.

  • Outstanding Visual Artist
  • Outstanding Artist in Music
  • Outstanding Artist in Dance
  • Outstanding Artist in Theater
  • Outstanding Literary Artist

Arts Educator: An arts educator at the elementary, secondary, or university level who has shown exemplary dedication and commitment to teaching, advising and mentoring art students.

Collaborative Project:  Recognizes an original project in the performing, visual or multi-disciplinary arts illustrating the power of collaboration to advance and support arts and culture in the community.

IDEA Leader: An individual or group who has amplified the voices and vision of artists in the community or has strengthened inclusion, diversity, equity and access for and within the arts.

Rising Arts Leader: An individual arts contributor, manager, advocate, volunteer or patron with fewer than five years of involvement in this role.

Arts Patron: An individual or organization or business that has sustained and enhanced arts and culture in our community through generous support, leadership and financial resources.

In addition to these nomination categories, Summit Artspace will select and honor artists for the following awards:

Summit Artspace Champion: The award recognizes an individual, group or organization that has been a true champion for Summit Artspace; who has provided extraordinary and ongoing support for its mission as a place for the creative.

Arts Alive Award:  An individual or individuals who give selflessly to the cause of advancing arts and culture in the community. Whether an artist, arts administrator, volunteer or patron, the nominee gives willingly and does so without seeking recognition.

Lifetime Achievement: An individual who has dedicated their life to the arts and achieved distinction within the community. The award recognizes an individual artist, arts manager, advocate or other who has strengthened arts and culture in the community through decades of service.

People standing in a gallery photographed at a low angle.

Interested in being an Arts Alive Sponsor?

For more information and to secure your sponsorship, contact Executive Director Heather Meeker at 330.376.8480, ext. 2 or heather@summitartspace.org for more information.

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