Akron Public Art Inventory

The Akron Public Art Inventory was created by ART x LOVE in 2024-2025 to map and assess the condition of all public art and cultural items that are owned by the City of Akron, funded by the City of Akron, or on public property.

This first-of-its-kind resource is a living database with more than 700 records that can be updated and managed by the Akron Public Art Commission. Users can filter items by Ward and Category, and share their location to discover and explore nearby public art throughout the city.

Untitled, by Don Drumm

For full screen and mobile use:

Launch the application
Colorful mural on a basketball court wall depicting children reading books, with the word 'Hope' integrated into the art, surrounded by urban and natural elements.

Creating the Inventory

Silhouette of a modern sculpture depicting three abstract human figures, with the smallest figure (a child) standing on the outstretched arm of the larger figure, embracing the sunlight while surrounded by pine tree branches against a blue sky.

Hope, by Lizzi Aronhalt, Alexandria Couch, Sammie Keys Jr., and Shanise Tabler

When we started this project in 2024, the City of Akron’s public art inventory consisted of a PDF with 35 items in it. Today, we are thrilled to share this first-of-its-kind interactive public art inventory featuring more than 700 arts & cultural records from across the city’s 10 wards.

As Art x Love travelled through Akron’s 24 neighborhoods, they were struck by the incredible history, creativity, and care on display across our great city. There is so much beauty and culture to discover in Akron, and we hope you will use this resource to seek it out for yourself.

Art x Love created this collection using a custom-designed mobile application and geospatial information system (GIS). The pictures show what was found at each site, including details for the condition assessment of each piece. This information will be used to guide and inform the Akron Public Art Commission’s maintenance planning and future public art investments.

The City of Akron and your public art commissioners care deeply about our creative landscape. This inventory celebrates and leverages 200 years of Akron arts & culture to inspire a vibrant, inclusive, and responsible future. Please use it, share it, and let us know what you think. This is a first step toward a greater creative vision for Akron!

Colorful mural with geometric shapes and the words 'We all share the same sun' across three panels. The colorful shapes spell out the word "HUMAN."

We All Share The Same Sun, by Boa Mistura

Note: many of Akron’s public art and cultural landmarks do not include signage with the title of the piece or the name of the artist(s) and organization(s) involved. If you have any of this information and see that it is missing from the collection, please contact the Akron Public Art Commission and we will update the inventory.

Learn more about the inventory

“City of Akron, ART x LOVE collaborating on public art inventory”
– Signal Akron, February 22, 2024

“Akron’s Public Art Inventory nears completion”
– Signal Akron, October 21, 2024

“Public Art Inventory catalogs more than 700 items across Akron”
– Signal Akron, December 31, 2024

For updates and questions

Please contact the Akron Public Art Commission and Office of Integrated Development at PublicArt@akronohio.gov and 330-375-2376.