Downtown Akron will become a hub for celebrating the arts several times a year thanks to an infusion of support from two local foundations.

Downtown Akron Partnership has announced that it will host the Downtown Art Works series in conjunction with several monthly Artwalks.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will fund live performances at the events. The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation is sponsoring the Akron Art Prizes competition.

Downtown Art Works events will take place during the evening on the first Saturdays of September and October this year and March 2013. They will feature films, fashion, competitions, performances, prizes and other activities that highlight the arts and culture scene in downtown Akron.

“The arts are an enjoyable way to help people connect to their communities. And communities thrive when people are engaged,” said Jennifer Thomas, Akron director for the Knight Foundation. .

In September and October, the public will vote for the Akron Art Prizes. The March event will feature an “Artigras” theme that is still being developed.

“Our intent is to invite public participation in the arts in a new and exciting way, bringing more people into downtown to celebrate and support our vibrant arts scene. We look to partner with local and regional artists to reinforce the connection between the arts and the Greater Akron community,” said Suzie Graham, president of the Downtown Akron Partnership.

The public will vote via cell phone for the competitions. To encourage attendance at the events, voting will take place during a limited time. Registration for voting will be available at www.downtownakron.com/artworks.

During the September/October 2012 events, the Downtown Akron Partnership will present the first Akron Art Prize competition; guests will text to determine the $5,000 first-place award and five runner-up awards of $1,000 each.

The submissions will be placed in venues throughout the Artwalk area that will be open Sept. 1-23 for viewing and voting. Winners will be named Oct. 6.

Artists at least 18 years old may enter work through July 6. Entry fee is $10. Go to www.downtownakron.com/artprize.

Downtown Art Works is a program of Downtown Akron Partnership and is supported by the city, Summit County, the GAR Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation.

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/art-notes-new-downtown-events-feature-art-film-fashion-competitions-1.302764

The city of Green is looking for artists to participate in their 8th Annual art-A-palooza that will take place on August 25th at Boettler Park. The event is a one day juried show and applications can be submitted by mail or online. For more information and to get an application visit www.greenartscouncil.org.

Peninsula Art Academy is looking for artists to participate in “The River” Show and Sale. The theme of the show focuses on original works by artists working in all medias, including two- and three-dimensional works, highlighting the role the Cuyahoga River plays in their everyday lives. The show and sale runs May 19 through June 23 and there will be an opening reception on Saturday, May 19 at 5pm until 7pm. For more information on participating in the sale and show visit www.peninsulaartacademy.com or call Peninsula Art Academy at 330-657-2248.

Graphic design students, faculty and a graduate of the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art at The University of Akron have won 14 ADDY awards for advertising design excellence. The awards include a Gold ADDY and the Judges Choice Award in the professional category, plus a Best of Show award in the student category.

The ADDY Awards, considered the world’s largest advertising competition, honor creative excellence and cultivate the highest creative standards in the industry.

Held at the Akron Urban League earlier this month, the prestigious awards event was the first of a three-tiered national competition conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF). The AAF is the oldest national advertising trade association, representing 40,000 professionals in the advertising industry.

Both awards in the professional category and five awards in the student category went to “design x nine,” a “real world” graphic design studio at UA’s Myers School of Art. Each year, faculty members Janice Troutman and John Morrison choose nine of UA’s top graphic design students for the award-winning studio. The students work with real clients to hone their design skills, business savvy, technical knowledge, teamwork abilities, and the other talents they need to succeed in the highly competitive field of graphic design.

The 90th anniversary celebration is not only about the institution surviving the Great Depression, a disastrous fire, multiple buildings and a massive expansion, but also about the community, visitors and friends who have supported the museum and Akron over the past 90 years.

During these years the museum has contributed significantly to the culture of the city, region and its visitors. Offerings include workshops and classes that have inspired many remarkable artists, concerts to rejoice the summer season and a cultural center to hold the history and future of Akron.

The upcoming months will be full of events, exhibitions and activities to inspire and engage the city and people of Akron throughout the year and into the future. We look forward to visitors joining us during this exciting time to learn about our past and how to add to our destiny.

For events and exhibitions visit www.akronartmuseum.org or call the Akron Art Museum at 330-376-9185.