The Canton Culture Collective (or CCC, as we affectionately call it) was born out of a shared passion for the arts and a deep love for our community. We’re a diverse team of volunteers, united by a mission to inspire, promote, and connect arts and culture in Stark County.
It’s incredible to think about how much we’ve accomplished in our first year. Today, we want to reaffirm who we are, what we stand for, what we’ve done this year, and our plans to make an impact in the future.
Revising who we are
- At CCC, we believe that arts and culture are the heartbeat of a thriving community. Our mission is to:
- Inspire creativity and connection.
- Promote local artists, organizations, and events.
- Foster partnerships to amplify the impact of the arts.
We’ve made it our mission to be present and active, whether that’s just showing up, promoting events and initiatives online, organizing meetups, or collaborating with organizations on impactful projects.
The Canton Culture Collective is made up of nearly 30 volunteers with different backgrounds, talents, and interests. Many of us were previously members of arts and culture groups. While that chapter closed for many of us during the pandemic, our passion for the arts didn’t fade. Instead, it inspired a new beginning—something broader, more community-centered, and more collaborative.
Our goal is simple but ambitious: to act as ambassadors for Stark County’s arts and culture scene. We’re here to shine a spotlight on local talent and events, support local businesses, celebrate diversity, and make the arts accessible and exciting for everyone.
What We’ve Accomplished This Year
Looking back, 2024 has been nothing short of amazing. Here are just a few highlights of what we’ve achieved together:
- Partnered and Collaborated
- We’ve partnered with groups like the Canton Symphony Orchestra (CSO) to host a fundraising event for Songs in the Sky.
- We’ve collaborated with Habitat for Humanity on the 2024 Women’s Build.
- We attended and promoted events like the Canton Urban League’s Black and White Ball, EnRichment Fundraisers, and Canton Prom.
- Promoting Diversity Through Festivals
- We proudly supported the African Arts Festival and Latino Festival, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of our community.
- Hosting Art Crawls and Downtown Events
- Art crawls were a big hit this year! These events gave local artists a platform to shine while bringing our community together to enjoy Canton’s vibrant downtown scene.
- Engaging the Community
- Whether it was raising awareness about the arts on social media, creating connections between organizations, or just showing up at a business, event, or concert, we’ve worked tirelessly to promote and support the incredible things happening here in Stark County. Our new website will be a big part of that effort! Please consider connecting and subscribing for email updates in the future!
Through all of this, we’ve been guided by one principle: collaboration. None of this would have been possible without the many organizations, artists, and community members who share our vision.
A Night to Remember: Our First Annual Soirée
To cap off this extraordinary year, we hosted our Annual Celebration Soirée at the stunning Historic Onesto in downtown Canton. It was definitely an evening to remember as you can see from the gallery below!
The Onesto’s elegant architecture set the perfect stage for a celebration of art, culture, and community. The night was alive with the sounds of talented local musicians and singers who filled the space with energy and emotion. We even had a live artist showcasing their skills, sparking conversations, and inspiring attendees.
The soirée wasn’t just about looking back at what we’ve achieved—it was about looking forward. We shared stories and dreams, made new friends, and kicked off plans for 2025. The event was a testament to the creativity and collaboration that define everything we do.
The best part? Seeing everyone in the room—from longtime community supporters to new faces—coming together to celebrate our shared love of the arts and culture.
What’s Next:
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to continue making an impact. Our plans include:
- Inspiring creativity and connection through the new tools, resources, and friendships that we’ve created.
- Promoting more local artists, organizations, and events.
- Collaborating with individuals and organizations to amplify the reach of arts and culture.
- Working to just “show up” and support local events and businesses.
- Leveraging our new website, social media, and partnerships to promote and inspire.
How you can help:
If you’re reading this and thinking, “How can I get involved?”—we’d love to hear from you! Most of all we’d love for you to just “show up” too and support our vibrant arts community. Whether you’re an artist, a business owner, or someone who simply loves the arts, there’s a place for you in our story. Visit our website at cantonculturecollective.com to learn more.
Thank You, Stark County!
Today we’d like to say “thank you” to every artist, partner, and community member who supported us and the arts in our community this year. You’re the reason we do what we do. Together, we’re building, promoting, and supporting something truly special here in Stark County.
The Canton Culture Collective is more than just a group of volunteers. We’re a movement. We’re a celebration of creativity, diversity, and community. And we’re just getting started.
Here’s to another year of inspiration, connection, and culture!
