Artsnow
Artsnow is a public charity based in Akron, Ohio, and the local arts and culture agency for Summit County. It works to strengthen the county by advancing arts and culture and connecting the sector with the broader community.
Artsnow at a glance
In short: Artsnow gave $824K across 43 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $824,210
- +90.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- +152.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,168
- -24.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $525,755
- -26.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Artsnow
- How to Apply
-
ArtsNow provides application information and timelines for its programs. ArtsForward applicants should review the program overview; placemaking applications and supporting materials are submitted through the online grant platform. The Creative Investment Program is for individual Summit County artists and creatives and offers up to $2,500 for professional-development expenses.
- Review Cycle
- 2026 ArtsForward applications close April 19; Placemaking Project Grant applications close August 16; Creative Investment Program applications close September 13.
- Deadline
- 2026 ArtsForward applications close April 19; Placemaking Project Grant applications close August 16; Creative…
- Contact
Mailing address: 175 South Main Street Suite 100, Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 203-1606
Website: https://artsnow.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Artsnow funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Summit Artspace ($144K). Together the top 10 received $423K.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 60 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ArtsNow serves Summit County, Ohio. Its grant programs require projects to take place in Summit County, and its 2025 reported grant dollars went entirely to Ohio recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Artsnow gives
- 7% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $433K (2024) to $824K (2025). In 2025 it made 43 grants totaling $824K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Summit Artspace Akron, OH | Artsforward | $143,855 |
| City of Green Green, OH | Artsforward | $50,000 |
| Tuesday Musical Association Akron, OH | Artsforward | $39,999 |
| The Movement Project Fairview Park, OH | Artsforward | $38,000 |
| Summit Choral Society Akron, OH | Creative Investment Program | $26,500 |
| Art Resources Transformations Akron, OH | Artsforward | $25,000 |
| Ballet Excel Ohio Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Artsforward | $25,000 |
| City of Stow Stow, OH | Artsforward | $25,000 |
| Cuyahoga Valley Art Center Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Artsforward | $25,000 |
| Downtown Akron Partnership Inc Akron, OH | Artsforward | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Artsnow?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $525,755 | $1,128,951 | $1,363,434 | $824,210 | 43 | $18,764 |
| 2024 | $712,452 | $849,776 | $953,308 | $433,056 | 17 | $17,658 |
| 2023 | $804,694 | $870,822 | $656,466 | — | — | $466 |
| 2022 | $807,263 | $439,431 | $426,170 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | $777,747 | $856,414 | $504,058 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ArtsNow’s stated mission is to strengthen Summit County by advancing its arts and culture assets and building connections between arts and culture and the broader community. Its stated functions include providing access to arts and culture information, using data to support sector improvement, advocating across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, convening artists and presenters, and building funding for arts and culture.
ArtsForward project grants support work aligned with the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan, including projects that strengthen communities and enhance quality of life. The plan’s ten priorities are equity, access, education, talent, engagement, resources, connections, placemaking, economic impact, and public art. Placemaking grants support arts and culture projects that strengthen neighborhoods, activate public spaces, and respond to local priorities with residents and community partners. The Creative Investment Program provides grants to Summit County artists and creatives for professional growth, such as training, classes, and conferences.
Examples of supported organizations include Summit Artspace, which says it connects artists and artist-serving organizations with community and resources; Tuesday Musical Association, which says it connects performers with audiences, students, and members through performances, collaborations, and education; and Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, which says it fosters appreciation of visual art through education, exhibitions, and community enrichment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, ArtsNow reported 43 grants totaling $824,210. Grants ranged from $7,000 to $143,855, with a median of $12,500. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio.
The largest reported award was $143,855 to Summit Artspace for ArtsForward. Other notable 2025 awards included $50,000 to the City of Green for ArtsForward; $39,999 to Tuesday Musical Association for ArtsForward; $38,000 to The Movement Project for ArtsForward; and $26,500 to Summit Choral Society for the Creative Investment Program. Additional awards included $25,000 each to Art Resources Transformations, Ballet Excel Ohio, the City of Stow, Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, Downtown Akron Partnership, and Rubber City Theatre, all for ArtsForward, and $20,000 to Main Street Barberton for ArtsForward.
ArtsForward’s 2026 project-grant cycle is described as its final year. Summit County nonprofit organizations may apply; applicants without 501(c)(3) status must work with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Applications are reviewed by a committee of funders, civic leaders, artists, and content experts. For the 2026 Placemaking Project Grants, applicants submit through ArtsNow’s online grant platform, may submit one application, and awards support specific projects rather than general operating costs. Awards are up to $10,000; eligible projects must take place in Summit County and meet stated accessibility requirements. In 2026, the City of Akron committed $25,000 for projects taking place in Akron.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lisa King as president, Phil Montgomery as vice president, Steve Millard as treasurer, and Dominic Moore-Dunson as secretary. Directors listed are John Garofalo, Rob Lehr, Harvey Nelson, Doug Piekarz, Karen Starr, and Annie McFadden.
Nicole Mullet is ArtsNow’s executive director.
Artsnow is led by Nicole Mullet, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2021); 2 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Nicole Mullet
Executive Director
Executive Director → Executive Di, 2024
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$93K (2021) → $152K (2025)
Lisa King
President
Trustee → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leila Griffiths
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$670 (2025)
Rob Lehr
Director
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Garofalo
Director
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Piekarz
Director
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harvey Nelson
Director
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Starr
Director
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annie McFadden
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Howard Parr
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dominic Moore-Dunson
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Millard
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phil Montgomery
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Georgia Nix Miller (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Sean Joyce (2021–2024) — President
- Former: Floco Torres (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Cassie Testa (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: David Hamilton (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Kendra Williams (2021–2023) — President
- Former: Gregg Mervis (2021) — Vice President
- Former: Jon Fiume (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Leianne Neff Heppner (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $152K, to Nicole Mullet (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Artsnow
How much does Artsnow give each year?
Artsnow gave $824K across 43 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $433K across 17 grants.
What is Artsnow's typical grant size?
Artsnow's median grant in 2025 was $12,500, and its average grant was $19,168, across 43 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Artsnow give grants?
Artsnow gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Akron, OH (25 grants), Cuyahoga Falls, OH (4 grants), Barberton, OH (3 grants) and Hudson, OH (3 grants).
Does Artsnow give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on Artsnow's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Artsforward" (36 grants) and "Creative Placemaking Grants" (6 grants).
Who are Artsnow's largest grantees?
Artsnow's largest 2025 grantees include Summit Artspace ($143,855), City of Green ($50,000) and Tuesday Musical Association ($39,999), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Artsnow?
Artsnow reported $526K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.1M.
What does Artsnow fund?
ArtsNow’s stated mission is to strengthen Summit County by advancing its arts and culture assets and building connections between arts and culture and the broader community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Artsnow?
ArtsNow provides application information and timelines for its programs. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Artsnow's EIN?
Artsnow's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5513742. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 17, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 22, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Artsnow's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Artsnow funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/artsnow-morg_2c0fa897a54e40a7a84aa2b37d7c3fbe
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_475513742_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Artsnow funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/artsnow-morg_2c0fa897a54e40a7a84aa2b37d7c3fbe},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Artsnow's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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