Our Impact

Invested in Our Community

Overview

While 2020 proved to be a challenging and unprecedented year, The Arts Commission remained dedicated to serving our creative community and cultural workers. With the support of the staff, board, and community, we were able to pivot our programming in response to the global pandemic and civic unrest. From providing relief to artists and organizations that COVID-19 relief funding would not otherwise reach to creating safe and self-guided programs, as well as enhancing public spaces The Arts Commission paid over $600,000 directly to 297 artists.

Related Downloads

2021 Annual Report Toledo Strategic Plan for Arts and Culture

We keep Toledo vibrant with innovative programs and by maintaining more than 80 works in the City's public art collection.

Economic Impact

A Wise Investment

The Ohio Arts Council reports that creative industries contribute more than $41.4 billion to Ohio's economy annually.

Ohio Arts Council, 2017

Growing & Building

Arts-related, creative and cultural businesses currently produce an economic impact of $3.84 billion annually in Northwest Ohio, up from $2.4 Billion in 2007.

From the Arts and Regional Prosperity II: Economic Impact of the Creative Industries in Northwest Ohio, 2015

Artful Employment

The creative economy employs 12,065 people in Toledo and supplies more than $466 million in wages and proprietor income.

Ohio's Creative Economy Report: The Economic Impact of Arts and Creative Industries, 2018, Ohio Citizens for the Arts

Extending Our Reach

Since 2009, The Arts Commission has partnered to secure more than $3,000,000 in arts investment in Toledo from national sources.

Testimonials

Julie Beckert

TAC Board Member

The arts are the personality of the community in which we live. The art may be developing student artists, encouraging art as a career, enhancing the community with sculpture or other art forms, or partnering with other organizations to create growth and enhance our image. Take a moment and imagine what our city would be without any of these things. Without public arts, whether visual, literary or performing, a city will not thrive, and people will not come there to live, be entertained, work or grow. The public art of our community is a direct reflection on what we value; it is our heartbeat.

Natalie Lanese

Merit Award Winner, 2017

My community arts project with The Arts Commission encouraged me to answer questions I’ve asked myself for a long time, such as: Who is the artwork for? Who will see it? Who do I want to see it? How can it affect a community and a city? And the more I think about Toledo’s neighborhoods and landscape, I’ve redefined something I’ve always wanted—for my work to be accessible and enjoyable to everyone, no matter their age, education, or interest in art.

David Ross

Young Artists at Work Alumnus and Creative Placemaking Strategist

Sometimes I am speechless by the honor of working with The Arts Commission. I sit back and think to myself: I’m with an organization that goes into neighborhoods, builds community, brings resources and then tops it off with some glitter and vibrancy before the artwork is done. Mental health, medical health, violence, poverty, disadvantage, and conflict are not issues we choose to avoid, because creativity does not start with a solution; it starts with a problem.

Jules Webster

Owner, Art Supply Depo

The Arts Commission's public programming has enabled me to create financial and creative capital in a myriad of ways that keeps growing and growing; leading to the creation of bigger and better community art related projects, and more money in my pocket as well as money in the hands of the community.

Volunteer Give Now

The Arts Commission
1838 Parkwood Ave
Suite 120
Toledo, Ohio 43604
419-254-ARTS (2787)

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Statement

Inclusion, diversity, equity and access are fundamentally important to our work at The Arts Commission. Our aim is to provide access and opportunity to art and culture for all in our community. It is our committed practice to stand alongside, listen and act based upon community needs. We have a responsibility to advocate for inclusion, diversity, equity and access. The Arts Commission will continue to deepen this practice as we move into the future.

The Arts Commission believes that the arts can provide the space to foster conversations that bring us together. The arts have long stood in the gap as a bridge between cultures. They have served as a place to support healing, as well as a place to develop and exchange compassion. We trust the arts in this role. By embracing our differences and celebrating our similarities we build a more vibrant, just, and inclusive society.

Terms

All content on this site is presented in support of Toledo's creative community and is made available as such.

Accessibility

The Arts Commission strives to provide programming and events in an inclusive manner in accessible spaces and venues. Should you wish to visit or participate and need accommodation, please contact us at 419-254-2787.