Pump House Center for Art + Culture

Transforming a vacant building into a vibrant co-created community space for unbridled creativity, inter-generational connection, and endless curiosity.

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The Pump House Center for Art + Culture will transform and activate the vacant Pump House building at 411 Ira Ave next to Summit Lake into an active neighborhood art, event, and performance space. The space will provide local youth creative educational and employment opportunities and serve as an inter-generational gathering place for neighborhood residents, hosting community meals, classes, art shows, musical performances, film screenings, and more.

The project is spearheaded by the League of Creative Interventionists, led by artist Hunter Franks, with Knight Foundation support. Partners include the City of Akron, Let’s Grow Akron, and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.

MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT

Who are the League of Creative Interventionists?

The League of Creative Interventionists is a national organization with a chapter in Akron. The League uses public participatory art to create spaces to prompt curiosity, connection, and creativity. We have been working in Akron for three years, most recently organizing a citywide meal for 500 people on the Innerbelt. Hunter Franks is the Artistic Director of the League. Anne Koller is the Programs Manager and Summit Lake resident Stephanie Leonardi is the Project Manager for this project.   

Why the Pump House?

We have worked on projects with organizations throughout Akron and upon getting to know the Summit Lake neighborhood, we were struck by the beauty of the lake and people. We talked to residents and heard the need for employment, education, and inter generational connection. The Pump House is a beautiful and historic building that has been sitting vacant for at least 10 years. At the same time, there is a lack of creative and event space in the neighborhood and in Akron. Our hope is that transforming the Pump House into an active and vibrant space for creativity and culture will grow connections between neighbors, new jobs and skills, while cultivating joy and neighborhood pride.

How can I get involved?

We are co-creating this project with Summit Lake and Akron residents. The Project Manager for the project, Stephanie “Leo” Leonardi, is a Summit Lake resident who is active in the community. We are looking for more people to help out and get involved creating the neighborhood they want to see. If you are interested in offering your voice and skills to this project please email us at hello@creativeinterventionists.com.