Mayor Don Walters is pleased to announce that the City of Cuyahoga Falls has been approved for a $50,000 Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support River in the City.
This award is one of 63 grants nationwide that the agency has approved in this category to support projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes; ultimately laying the groundwork for sustainable systems change.
“The Cuyahoga River is the heart of Cuyahoga Falls and our vibrant downtown,” stated Mayor Don Walters. “We are honored to receive this competitive funding, which will allow us to highlight the river and our Native American heritage with public art for all to enjoy.”
The River in the City project was inspired by the City of Cuyahoga Falls’ public art plan and revitalized downtown and will include four phases over eighteen months: discovery, activation, and evaluation. Local arts and culture agency ArtsNow will serve as the project manager for the community arts engagement and art installations.
“It is a testament to the artists, residents, and leadership in Cuyahoga Falls that the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant was awarded,” said ArtsNow Executive Director Nicole Mullet. “This is an extremely competitive national process, and to see this direct funding come to Summit County is a substantial win for the economic and social vibrancy of downtown."
“As the country and the arts sector begin to work towards a post-pandemic world, the National Endowment for the Arts is proud to announce this Our Town funding. These awards will support cross-sector partnerships such as the one lead by the City of Cuyahoga Falls that demonstrate the power of the arts to help communities create a better future for themselves,” said NEA Acting Chairman Ann Eilers.
For more information on the projects included in the Arts Endowment grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.