A special message from Robb Hankins, President and CEO of ArtsInStark, the County Arts Council:

There are just a few days left until Wednesday, May 20 and the end of the annual Arts Campaign run by ArtsinStark, the County Arts Council. If you haven’t already done so — we’re asking you take a minute to make an investment. We’re about to pass 97% of our $1,450,000 goal. Donations of any size can get us to 100%. Please respond and then send this on to a friend.

DONATE on-line!

Your investment puts the arts back into our downtowns (First Friday) and back into our schools (SmArts programs have reached 10,000 kids). It also puts the arts back into our neighborhoods (200,000 people each year are reached by the arts because of our grants to Stark County’s 7 largest arts organizations and hundreds of smaller non profits.) Your investment can also mean more blockbuster shows like KIMONO (100,000 people participated with $6 million of economic impact).

Need even more reasons? Watch the campaign video.

Need to get more? Donors of $36 or more receive the SuperPass, good for big savings on arts and entertainment tickets — plus the chance to win $1,200 in cash towards a dream trip. But please act before May 20 and show you believe in the power of the arts. DONATE on-line!

Robert J. Hankins (Robb)

President & CEO

ArtsinStark – The County Arts Council

“Growing the arts to create smarter kids, new jobs, and healthier communities.”

900 Cleveland Avenue NW

PO Box 21190

Canton, OH 44701 – 1190

330.453.1075 ext. 202

330.453.1105 fax

330-265-8730 cell

RobbHankins@artsinstark.com

www.artsinstark.com.

If you “believe in the power of the arts”, click here to “invest” in 2009 Fund for ArtsinStark which ends on May 20! See the campaign video.

Life is an Adventure!

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OH
near Second April Galerie and the historic Onesto Hotel.

Recently, I was talking with a group of young people ages 8 to 13. Every one of them acknowledged that they had heard gunfire in their neighborhoods, and all knew someone who had been harmed by gunfire.

These youth live in fear every day, as do many others in our community. Community leaders talk about ways to make our community safer, yet children still live in fear.

Research shows that children who grow up living in fear tend to become perpetrators of violence themselves. We must find ways to address their trauma beyond simplistic no-tolerance policies.

As both an artist and a mental health therapist, I want to express my gratitude to an unlikely source that has provided me opportunities to reach out to youth affected by trauma.

Through Arts In Stark grants to three different community organizations, I have been able to encourage youth toward resilience instead of violence, providing them with the means to express themselves creatively and productively. I believe that to redirect a child’s hurt, you must believe in that child, and to believe in them, you must support their creative instincts. Arts In Stark has provided numerous opportunities for me and other artists to do just that.

You may think that supporting the arts is a frivolous thing in light of the major financial crises currently facing our communities. When you look at the stellar programs supported by Arts In Stark throughout the community, however, you will realize how critical its efforts are to Stark County.

Enhancing community development through downtown revival efforts, supporting programs that redirect at-risk youth and promoting creative education in numerous school districts, Arts In Stark has stimulated growth that many thought was not possible.

When you believe in the arts, you believe in your community. I urge you to believe in the arts by supporting the 2009 Fund for Arts In Stark.

Vicki Boatright, Canton, OH