The Arts Commission

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The Arts Commission Inspiring a Vibrant Toledo. We want to hear from you and encourage your comments, questions, and critiques.

The Arts Commission supports, promotes and connects visual, performing, and literary artists, arts organizations and businesses; and administers the City of Toledo’s 1% for Art ordinance. We take pride in serving and connecting regional artists and the general public to information and opportunities that inspire a creative life. Through innovative programming, public art, artist services, inclusive youth programs, and community events – we aim to inspire a vibrant community in Toledo. We believe…
• The arts should be accessible to everyone
• Creativity fuels life and enriches a community
• Appreciation of art is nurtured by exposure and education
• The arts are key economic and social drivers for our community
• Art contributes to community image and civic pride
• Creative expression takes diverse forms
• A legacy of art is critical for future generations

The Arts Commission is dedicated to maintaining an engaging and respectful community. When making your comments, please be polite to all members of our community, including other commenters. In order to provide a safe and welcoming space, rudeness, insults, hate, hostility, and profanity may be removed and you may lose your ability to comment.

TODAY! Enjoy poetry readings, creative activities, vintage typewriters and more at Art Loop: Ohio Poetry Day Takeover.Wh...
10/17/2026

TODAY! Enjoy poetry readings, creative activities, vintage typewriters and more at Art Loop: Ohio Poetry Day Takeover.

When: Saturday, October 17 | 12–4pm
Where: Toledo Lucas County Public Library | 325 N. Michigan Street

Meet Ohio’s new Poet Laureate Edward A. Julian Sr., Lucas County’s new Poet Laureate Sandra Rivers-Gill, Ohio Poetry Day Poet of the Year Chuck Salmons, and more!

Free admission and activities. Visit theartscommission.org/projects/ohio-poetry-day or the link in our bio for the full event schedule.

10/16/2026

Downtown Toledo has a way with words.

Art Loop: Ohio Poetry Day Takeover fills Toledo Lucas County Public Library Main Library on Saturday, October 17 from noon–4 p.m. Enjoy readings from writers around Ohio, poetry-inspired activities, word games, typewriters and a pop-up poetry bookstore.

The free, all-ages celebration takes place at 325 N. Michigan Street through a partnership between The Arts Commission, the Ohio Poetry Day Association and the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. The Arts Commission

This Saturday, meet Ohio’s new Poet Laureate Edward A. Julian Sr. and Lucas County’s new Poet Laureate Sandra Rivers-Gil...
10/15/2026

This Saturday, meet Ohio’s new Poet Laureate Edward A. Julian Sr. and Lucas County’s new Poet Laureate Sandra Rivers-Gill at Art Loop: Ohio Poetry Day Takeover. Enjoy poetry readings, creative activities, vintage typewriters and more!

When: Saturday, October 17 | 12–4pm
Where: Toledo Main Branch Library | 325 N. Michigan Street

Free admission and activities. Visit theartscommission.org/projects/ohio-poetry-day for the full event schedule.

Photos of Art Loop: Literati 2025, by Jennifer Beachy

10/14/2026
Celebrate Ohio poetry with readings by two new Poets Laureate, the Ohio Poetry Day Poet of the Year, contest winners and...
10/14/2026

Celebrate Ohio poetry with readings by two new Poets Laureate, the Ohio Poetry Day Poet of the Year, contest winners and former Lucas County Poets Laureate.

Join us on Saturday, October 17 (12–4pm) at Toledo Lucas County Public Library for Art Loop: Ohio Poetry Day Takeover!

Reading Schedule:
• 12–1pm: New Poets Laureate Edward A. Julian Sr. (State of Ohio) & Sandra Rivers-Gill (Lucas County)
• 1–2pm: Ohio Poetry Day Poet of the Year Chuck Salmons
• 2–3pm: Ohio Poetry Day Contest Winners
• 3–4pm: Former Lucas County Poets Laureate Jonie McIntire, Jim Ferris & Joel Lipman

Enjoy an afternoon of poetry readings, word games, typewriters and more. Free and open to the public! Visit theartscommission.org/projects/ohio-poetry-day for more details.

Presented by The Arts Commission in partnership with the Ohio Poetry Day Association and Toledo Lucas County Public Library

There are too many great Artomatic 419 photos to share them all at once! Here’s a look back at Day 1 at the Erie Street ...
10/13/2026

There are too many great Artomatic 419 photos to share them all at once! Here’s a look back at Day 1 at the Erie Street Market.

Thank you to all the participating artists, performers, volunteers, sponsors, and everyone who helped make the 20th anniversary of Artomatic 419 possible!

Photos by Jennifer Beachy

Happening this Saturday! Join us for Art Loop: Ohio Poetry Day Takeover at Toledo Lucas County Public Library, featuring...
10/12/2026

Happening this Saturday!

Join us for Art Loop: Ohio Poetry Day Takeover at Toledo Lucas County Public Library, featuring readings by Ohio’s new Poet Laureate Edward A. Julian Sr. and Lucas County’s new Poet Laureate Sandra Rivers-Gill, plus poetry readings, creative activities, vintage typewriters and more. Free and open to all!

When: Saturday, October 17 | 12-4pm
Where: Toledo Main Branch Library, 325 N. Michigan Street

Visit theartscommission.org/projects/ohio-poetry-day for the full schedule.

WORKSHOP: Supporting Your Studio PracticeJoin artist and I Like Your Work founder for a practical workshop on building ...
10/08/2026

WORKSHOP: Supporting Your Studio Practice

Join artist and I Like Your Work founder for a practical workshop on building a strong professional foundation for your art practice!

Learn how to prepare and organize essential materials, including your CV, artist statement, bio, and artwork images, so you’re ready for exhibitions, applications, and studio visits.

When: Thursday, November 5 | 6–8pm
Where: The Arts Commission | 1000 Adams Street

Participants will receive a downloadable folder system to help organize their own professional materials in Google Drive.

Visit secure.qgiv.com/for/artscommissionofgreatertoledo/event/erikabhessworkshop to RSVP. Limited space is available, please confirm your plan to attend by Wednesday, November 4.

Erika b Hess is a painter, the Sydelle Sonkin and Herb Siegel Artistic Director of Chautauqua Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution, and the creator and host of the I Like Your Work podcast.

10/02/2026

Hear from jewelry and performance artist, Isabel Zeng about her experience receiving a 2025 Merit Award!

is a jewelry maker and economist who has exhibited and published nationally and internationally, including at Society of North American Goldsmiths Annual Conference, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Ohio Craft Museum, Contemporary Art Toledo, and Jewelry and Metals Survey. Her creative work explores the lived body in relationship to wearable objects through the lens of craft, materiality, performance, and video.

The Arts Commission’s Merit Award celebrates outstanding work by local established and mid-career artists in the literary, performing, or visual arts. Awardees of the 2026 Merit Award will be announced in November. Visit theartscommission.org/artists/merit-awards to learn more.

Video by Alex Goetz

Address

1000 Adams Street
Toledo, OH
43604

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(419) 254-2787

Website

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