OFFSITE MEETING at Summit Artspace

Join Executive Director Heather Meeker at Summit Artspace for a deep dive into Akron's vibrant artist community, and a tour of its building in the heart of the Main-Market Historic District!

Summit Artspace is a nonprofit organization that supports local artists throughout every step of the creative process. It connects artists to the resources they need to thrive, including studios and rehearsal space, galleries and exhibitions, professional development workshops, and community events like the downtown Akron ArtWalk.

Summit Artspace’s historic building has been an Akron landmark since 1927 when it was constructed by publisher Charles Knight and his son, John S. Knight, as the new headquarters of the Akron Beacon Journal. Standing three stories tall and boasting a whopping 55,000 square feet, the building has been an epicenter of excitement and creativity for nearly a century.  The Knight brothers relocated the Beacon Journal in 1938 and the Akron Public Library purchased the building in 1940; it served as the library’s downtown location until 1969. In 1976 Summit County preserved the building and leas leased portions to the Historical Society, the MRDD board, and the Akron Work Center. Today, Summit Artspace is its sole occupant. The building retains many of its original features, including a manually-operated freight elevator, John S. Knight’s safe, and of course, the ornate art-deco façade.

SCHEDULE
Noon - Assemble in 3^rd Floor Classroom
12:15 - Lunch and program, (including Susie Lilley, resident artist)
12:45 - Tour - Phase I (Third Floor)
1:00 - Tour - Phase 2  (Second and First Floor)

Heather Meeker is a results-driven nonprofit leader with a passion for achieving organizational vision in the arts, culture, and education fields. Her expertise includes strategic planning, team-building, partnerships, project management, relationship-based fundraising, external affairs, and financial oversight. Heather specializes in creating artist-centered, artist-led initiatives as well as arts education partnerships. Before joining Summit Artspace as Executive Director in 2021, she was Executive Director of The Musical Theater Project for twelve years. Prior leadership positions include directorships at Hiram College, Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio, National Inventors Hall of Fame, and The Repertory Project (now VERB Ballets). Heather earned her B.A. at Hiram College and her M.F.A. in Theatre/Arts Administration at Virginia Tech.