The arts have become more visible in our community. First Friday in downtown Canton has successfully highlighted the art movement in Canton. The creation of the arts district on 4th Street in Canton, the renovation of the Jupiter Department store as an art and music venue in Alliance and an active art community in Massillon are all examples of the extent to which the arts have flourished in Stark County.

There is a continuing expansion of art participation and art related organizations in Stark County. Artists and art entrepreneurs have taken advantage of low rent in the urban areas of the county to establish "art zones" or districts. Although the sustainability of these efforts is a concern, the increased vitality of the arts in the urban downtowns is seen as the start of economic revitalization. The arts are seen as an element of exciting downtown areas and as an enticement to draw people. Arts in Stark estimates that the arts have an annual economic impact of approximately $18 million.

Stark County is one of only 80 communities in America to raise money for the arts in the same way as United Way does for social services. In the last four years, donations to the Annual Arts Campaign increased by 50%, raising a record breaking $1.4 million in May of 2009, despite the economic downturn. The arts are important because of their reach into diverse areas of the community including but not limited to educational curricula, economic development and recreational opportunities.