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The Akron Art Museum is a member supported non-profit organization. All proceeds generated from sales in the Museum Shop provides operational funds in order for us to present engaging exhibitions and programs. Become a member of the Akron Art Museum and join us in making a difference in the creative life of our community.
DIVE IN
By Mark Masuoka, Executive Director and CEO
As children, we were all told to be cautious of the deep end of the pool. That is where the risky people gathered, the thrill seekers, individuals who wanted more than just the shallow end experience. In many ways, our lives haven’t really changed from those Stand By Me years. The idea of risk taking still means to go where few decide to venture, to purposely challenge yourself to take on a new task, a different role at work or even a new career, because deep down you know it will be a lot more fun, exciting and scary.
When was the last time you jumped in the deep end of the pool? Stood on the edge of the unknown and just said go for it. My guess is …that if it has been recently, you are still benefiting from the experience and can’t wait for another one. If it’s been awhile, it’s time to get wet.
How do you LIVE CREATIVE?
Community Conversations: Art and Entrepreneurship
By Mark Masuoka, Executive Director and CEO
Art and Entrepreneurship are typically two subjects that occupy polar opposite positions in society. What is the role of innovation in the non-profit sector?
Art (creative process) and business (entrepreneurial spirit) are forever linked by the fact that there is no innovation without creativity. Both industries thrive when the focus is on fulfilling a mission, not the bottomline. Employees want to be inspired, customers want to know that their investment is making a difference and as a result, the outcome for both profit and not-for-profit systems can be a both symbiotic and successful.
The process of creating a new sculpture, painting, photograph, financial strategy, manufacturing system or business model is congruent with creativity. At this point, the perceived differences between art and entrepreneurship are blurred and each new discovery follows a convergent path.
So the next time you are thinking about starting a new business or inventing a new mousetrap, watch out, you might just be stepping into the creativity zone.
Read MoreBack to School!
School is right around the corner, so be sure to take a look at the great items we have in our shop that can help make this school year fun and exciting!
Get a BIG start to this school year!
- Giant Pencil from Toysmith $7.95
- Really Big Eraser from Toysmith $4.95
Create a unique study space!
- BTW Dry Erase Board from Decor Craft International $14.95
- Squadron Pushpins from Design Ideas $4.95
- Tell Tale Pushpins from Design Ideas $4.95
- Cloud Cork Board Mini-Set of 4 from Design Ideas $19.95
Have fun and stay organized!
- Hidden Pencil Notebook $15.95
- Boogie Board Original 8.5 e-writer from Kent Displays $36.95
Prepare for a bright future!
- Chroma Magnet Board from Design Ideas $24.95
- Chirp Magnets from Design ideas $6.95
Meet the perfect study buddy!
- Adam the Doodles Man from Design Ideas $26.95
To view more items offered in the shop and for shop hours, click here>
A Look Back Into the Archives: View
By: Kent State University Library Science Practicum Student, Alexandra Lynch
The Akron Art Institute Bulletin started off as a monthly, publishing information related to current exhibitions and art happenings in the city of Akron. Volume 1 Number 1of the bulletin was made available October 1929 and included the articles, Art for Children, Great Art for Little Purses, Hand Wrought Silverware and Thirty Paintings by Cleveland Artists. The Akron Art Institute Bulletin has taken many names throughout the years. It took its current name the View, in July of 2007 in conjunction with the opening of the new building.
The summer 2014 edition of the View is now available in the Akron Art Museum Library, at the information desk and online: http://issuu.com/akronartmuseum/docs/magazine_2014_summer_final. You can read articles on exhibitions such as, Tony Feher Akron Installations, Along the Tracks: O. Winston Link, and Butch Anthony: Vita Post Mortum. You can also find out about the fun and exciting programs and collaborations going on at the museum this summer.
Community Conversations: Shifiting the Cultural Landscape
By Mark Masuoka, Executive Director and CEO
What happens when a message doesn’t matter? When all your marketing, promotions and campaigns just don’t work. When the only thing that really matters is to take action, set things in motion, create chaos and watch what happens.
This is what artists experience, encounter and explore everyday. The creative process brings together our intentions and initiative in order to make change happen. It’s not about what you talk about; it’s not even what you think about; it’s only about how you live your life.
How do you LIVE Creative?
O. Winston Link and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
By Marketing and Public Relations Intern, Megan Romocean
Did you know that the Akron Art Museum is partnered with the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad?
One of our current exhibitions, O.Winston Link: Along the Tracks, shows a form of transportation that faded away decades ago. Link photographed the last steam locomotives as they made their way across America in the 1950s. The exhibition shows Link’s technical accomplishments and innovations as a photographer as well as his documentation of this historic mode of transportation that was quickly fading in rural America. The exhibition is on view until November 9, 2014.
In 1880, the first steam engine made its way down the Valley Railway, mainly to transport coal from south Canton to Cleveland’s booming industries. Around 1915, the popularity with the automobile caused a decline in the passenger traffic on the railroads. Thus, in 1963, the passenger service ended.
Today, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has many tour and event options to give passengers the historic and exciting experiences they crave. Visit history museums, view cooking demonstrations or enjoy beer and wine tastings. Also visit farmer’s markets, unique shops and even take a trip to the Akron Art Museum!
The CVSR operates the train though the 33,000 acres of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in cooperation with the National Park Service. These historic railroads are owned by the National Park Service to preserve the important cultural resources in the Cuyahoga Valley. The CVSR also has the largest operating steam locomotive east of the Mississippi, so be sure to book your trip soon to enjoy a ride in the authentic open-window cars.
There’s an incredible amount of natural and human history in the Valley, and CVSR is the ticket to experiencing this fascinating world.
To learn more about the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and how to take your O.Winston Link experience to the next level, please visit:
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
To learn more about O.Winston Link, please visit our website:
O.Winston Link: Along the Tracks
Community Conversations: Shifting the Cultural Landscape
By Mark Masuoka, Executive Director and CEO
But I’m not creative.
I don’t have a creative bone in my body.
I can’t even draw a straight line.
These statements are commonly overheard the moment we propose an art (creative) activity. Whether it be signing up for an art class or just sitting in a meeting and being asking to think “outside of the box”, these apprehensive statements reflect a larger social context beyond the “fear of the unknown”. It points to how people perceive the truth about what is possible and their willingness to pursue a deeper understanding and application of the creative process.
We understand that not everyone is an artist, nor do we believe that everyone should be an artist. That’s why at the Akron Art Museum we are not asking you to just BE creative; we are asking you to LIVE creative. It is your decision on how you make it happen.
How do you LIVE creative?
Community Conversations: Shifting the Cultural Landscape
By Mark Masuoka, Executive Director and CEO
What happens when an art museum opens its doors and invites everyone to take part in a community-wide conversation to influence the direction of the museum’s public programs and community initiatives? This is exactly what the Akron Art Museum is undertaking in a series of open forums to initiate meaning discussions about the inner life of a city. Community Conversations is a way to bring together amazing thinkers and doers to engage with the museum and to move beyond just pressing the “Like” button.
How do we come together to do something challenging, different, outrageously fantastic and extremely unpredictable, that other’s would only imagine doing? That’s how things change, grow and get better. That’s when everything starts to shift.
Are you part of the conversation?
On Your Mark…Get Set…Games.
The Akron Art Museum partnered with the Gay Games 2014 Kickoff on Friday, July 18 . This event included a silent auction to win various signed movie posters, a live auction to win a ride on a Goodyear blimp, as well as a live band and food and refreshments.
Gay Games 9 is being held in Cleveland/Akron August 9-16, presented by the Cleveland Foundation. GG9, known as one of the biggest sports/cultural festivals in the world, includes 35+ sports and cultural events.
What is GG9?
Including individuals and organizations representing four continents, the Federation of Gay Games is primarily an all volunteer organization. The Games invites all athletes – regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs, athletic or artistic ability, age, physical challenge or health status.
“They are, however, intended to bring a global community together in friendship, to experience participation, to elevate consciousness and self-esteem, and to achieve a form of cultural and intellectual synergy.”
Dr. Tom Waddell
Waddell conceived the idea of the Gay Games in 1980 as a “vehicle of change.” His idea built an international legacy of “changing cultural, social and political attitudes towards LGBT people around the globe.”
Past Gay Games locations include:
1982 – San Francisco, California, USA
1986 – San Francisco, California, USA
1990 – Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
1994 – New York City, New York, USA
1998 – Amsterdam, Netherlands
2002 – Sydney, Australia
2006 – Chicago, Illinois, USA
2010 – Cologne, Germany
2014 – Cleveland/Akron, Ohio, USA
To learn more about the Gay Games or how to donate or volunteer please visit: