Mission
AKRON SOUL TRAIN (AST) IS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESIDENCY PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES 12-15 ARTISTS EACH YEAR WITH PAID RESIDENCIES. OUR MISSION IS TO OFFER OHIO-BASED VISUAL, PERFORMING, AND LITERARY ARTISTS THE SPACE, TIME, AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES THEY NEED TO CREATE AND PRESENT NEW WORK TO THE PUBLIC. ALONG WITH FOSTERING CREATIVE EXPLORATION, ARTISTS ARE TASKED WITH DESIGNING A PUBLIC PROGRAM THAT ENGAGES THE GREATER AKRON COMMUNITY. THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH RELATE DIRECTLY TO THE ARTIST'S RESIDENCY WORK, MAY TAKE THE FORM OF PERFORMANCES, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, ARTIST TALKS, DEMONSTRATIONS, OR HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS. AST COLLABORATES CLOSELY WITH EACH RESIDENT TO HELP FULLY DEVELOP THEIR COMMUNITY EVENT AND TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL AKRON PARTNERS FOR CROSS-COLLABORATION AND AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT.