Akron public art inventory website goes live

AKRON, Ohio — A Northeast Ohio city created a new online inventory of their public art.

A place to find where art is in the city.

In 2018, Mac and Allyse Love the founders of Art x Love started advocating for an online art database. Once it was approved, they developed the site for two years. They started collecting data for the inventory in 2024. The Akron art inventory website went live in late December.   

“It helps the city understand what it’s responsible for,” said Mac Love the cofounder of Art x Love and the chief catalyst. “You know, what it’s responsible for maintaining and just as important as understanding what assets it has. It also helps paint a picture of where more public art is needed.”

Art x Love is a creative agency that doubles as an art gallery. The company was tasked with cataloging more than 700 public pieces of art throughout the city of Akron.

“The inventory is a database that features every piece of Akron art that is city owned, city funded, or on city property,” said Love.

The inventory is accessible to everyone including residents and visitors. They can log on to the site to find out where a piece of art is located and even learn about its history.

“We would like to encourage our residents, as well as the community to go out and about in the neighborhoods,” said Summer Hall the Public Art Liaison for the city of Akron. “Take a look at this art inventory. Check out the locations where the art is. I would recommend doing some art walks.”

Summer Hall is the public art liaison for the city of Akron. She is responsible for coordinating efforts with the Akron Public Art Commission. She says the inventory is an ongoing project. More art will be added to the inventory even those not owned or funded by the city.

“To make sure that, you know, art is in all the different neighborhoods, making sure that art’s not lacking in some of these neighborhoods and also with the maintenance plan from our inventory,” said Hall. “We will be maybe selecting 5 to 10 pieces that may need some work.”

The inventory breaks down the art pieces into several categories including type of art, condition, accessibility and location. Love is currently finishing up a piece connected to the Akron marathon that was held in September.

“This is a collaborative mural that was painted by over 3000 runners and their families at this year’s Akron marathon,” said Love.

Once it is completed, it will be added to the inventory. Love says this inventory further amplifies the importance of art in the city.

“It’s really important to take care of artwork and to invest in artwork,” said Love. “I think it keeps us from feeling lonely and it helps us expand our appreciation of, life and all of human experience.”

The funding for the project was $48,500 and was a private gift to the Akron Public Art Commission. The art inventory is free to use and also has GPS to search artwork near you. To view the inventory, click here.