(Akron, OH) - Be a part of the arts in Downtown Akron at the third annual Akron Art Prize. Through a newly developed app, the public is invited to vote for their favorite pieces to determine the winners of $10,000 in cash prizes. Akron Art Prize, sponsored by the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation and coordinated by Downtown Akron Partnership, begins Sept. 6 at the Downtown Akron Artwalk. Results are announced Oct. 4 at the Akron Art Museum.

Nearly 160 artists, from students to professors and hobbyists to professionals, are participating; an increase of more than 30 artists from 2013. Works include a range of paintings, photography, collage, graphic design, assemblage, and sculpture varying in mediums and color.

Artist works will be on display at five Downtown Akron venues. The tour includes Akron Glass Works (106 N. Main St.), Summit Artspace Gallery (140 E. Market St.), The Nightlight and Palladian Palette (30 N. High St.) and two galleries in 43 Furnace Art Complex: Zeber-Martell Studio Side Gallery and ARTWALLS @ 43 Furnace St. (43 Furnace St.). Universal venue hours are Thursday-Saturday from 12-9 p.m. and Sunday from 12-6 p.m. throughout the month.

Akron Art Prize app

The new Akron Art Prize app provides a digitally enhanced voter and participant experience. Artist name, entry title and description and artist profile page will be available with the app. Voters view entries, browse locations, mark favorites and vote by phone. Beginning Sept. 1, this free app is available for download at the iTunes App Store and Google Play App Store. The app may be downloaded and viewed anywhere, but voting is only allowed in Downtown Akron, encouraging guests to attend and experience the art.

Each registered voter, age 16 and older, has up to five votes. Voters who cast all five votes and complete a short survey will unlock a sixth vote and be entered into a drawing to win a $1,000 Downtown Arts District prize package. Voting begins Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. and closes Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Voting tablets are available in each venue for those without smart phone technology.

29 Days of Art

Throughout Akron Art Prize Downtown Akron is the destination again and again with 29 Days of Art. Several events are programmed for Akron Art Prize. Others are every day offerings and examples of the varied entertainment and art experiences found any time in Downtown Akron. Highlights include a vegetable carving demonstration by The University of Akron Hospitality Management program's Professor Emeritus, Richard Alford on Sept. 7 at Zeber-Martell, the Miller South Chalk Contest on Sept. 13 at N. High and Market streets, Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School on Sept. 20 at Studio Akron ($5 registration fee) and live music on Sept. 25 at 43 Furnace Art Complex and Akron Glass Works. In addition, artist's receptions will be held Sept. 11, 18 and 25 in participating venues. A complete calendar is at www.downtownakron.com/29days.

As part of the Akron Art Museum's Slide Jam series, a preview of the Art Prize app and quick, informal talks from a selection of participating artists is Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. This installment of Slide Jam is guest-curated by Rob Lehr of Summit Artspace, an Akron Art Prize venue.

Finale Celebration

The Akron Art Museum is host for the finale celebration on Oct. 4 from 7-10:30 p.m. Winner announcements begin at 9 p.m. First place receives the honor of displaying the winning artwork in the museum for one week following the event and $5,000. Five $1,000 runner-up awards are also given. Entertainment is provided by Percussion Discussion from 7-9 p.m. and Get On Up from 8-10:30 p.m. Light hors d'oeuvres are provided by Acme Fresh Markets.

The Burton D. Morgan Foundation provides additional marketing support for Akron Art Prize.

Complete details are at  www.downtownakron.com/artprize or on Facebook, facebook.com/akronartprize. Share Art Prize experiences on social media with #akronartprize.

About Downtown Akron Partnership

The mission of Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is to promote and build a vibrant and valuable downtown. DAP is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing people, activity, business and a thriving civic life to the heart of Akron. Through strategic marketing, clean and safe programs and management of downtown's resources, DAP works to promote downtown as a gathering place in the center of our community.

DAP's members include property owners, business leaders and government officials who want to improve the image of downtown as a safe, convenient location for businesses, working professionals and families. DAP is governed by a board of trustees as diverse as the interests of our city.

About The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation

The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, founded in 2001, is a private grant-making foundation whose primary focus is the mental health field, with secondary interest in education and the arts. The mission is to improve the lives of people with serious mental illness by investing in innovative projects in Northeast Ohio having national transformational impact. For information, please visit www.mcmfdn.org, call 330-655-1366, or email [email protected]. 

About The Burton D. Morgan Foundation

The Burton D. Morgan Foundation is a private foundation established in 1967, whose mission is to strengthen the free enterprise system by investing in organizations and institutions that foster the entrepreneurial spirit. To advance the mission, the Foundation supports entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education programs and initiatives at the youth, collegiate, and adult levels. A legacy of founder and entrepreneur Burton D. Morgan (1916-2003), the Foundation leverages its grant and staff resources to connect the people, ideas, organizations, and opportunities that comprise the vibrant and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northeast Ohio. For more information, please visit  www.bdmorganfdn.org.

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