CANTON − Maureen Ater recalls being introduced to the richness of the arts by her parents when she was a child.
That included art classes and programs at the Massillon Museum. They also took her to live theater shows. Ater played the French horn in the school band and performed at churches with a local brass quintet when she was a teen.
"When we vacationed as a family, it was a given that we would visit museums or arts festivals wherever we traveled," she said. "My mother became a very talented water colorist, and both of my parents (James and Kathleen McLaughlin) were amazing potters. Honestly, I just assumed that all families operated like this."
Ater, however, didn't grow up to be a studio artist, theater performer or professional singer, although she still plays piano.
But the 48-year-old Stark County native now draws on that early exposure to the arts in her new role as the president and CEO of ArtsinStark, a Canton-based nonprofit that advocates for the local arts and provides grants and support for artists and organizations.
"I think to me art is about what's accessible," Ater said. "It's not just exclusive to a certain socioeconomic group and is open to everyone.
"Now I do the same for my kids, and I'm much more conscious about why I'm doing it," she said. "The arts is about being a well-rounded individual."
Campaign push: ArtsinStark sets $1.4 million fundraising goal
'I'm a Stark County person by trade.'
Ater comes into the post with a wealth of administrative experience at other nonprofit organizations, including the United Way of Greater Stark County and Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio. Ater also serves on the boards of multiple local agencies, including the Stark Library Foundation, and she's chairwoman of the YMCA of Central Stark County.
She succeeds David Whitehill as ArtsinStark CEO, who left the post in October after replacing former longtime CEO Robb Hankins in early 2021.
That makes "Mo" Ater the third CEO in less than five years.
"Every organization experiences change, and I think that I hope what I represent to ArtsinStark is a commitment to the community," said Ater, a 1994 Jackson High School graduate. "I've lived my entire life here. I've committed my entire career to helping Stark County.
"I'm not an artist by trade," she added. "But I'd say I'm a Stark County person by trade."
As the mother of three daughters, Ater said she experiences the joy of the arts firsthand.
The executiverecalled when she watched her oldest daughter, Audrey, sing a solo in the musical "Shrek Jr." at the North Canton Playhouse in 2022.
"My mamma heart burst," recalled Ater, whose daughters are ages 8, 12 and 14. "I was crying, of course, and trying to enjoy her performance, but I was crying the whole time — it was happy tears."
'Stark County is a little bit richer because of Mo.'
Ater also worked for the Canton Repository and GateHouse Ohio Media in marketing and as general manager.
"I think my career has been touched by the arts in a lot of different ways," said Ater, who holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and English from Ashland University and master's degree in marketing from West Virginia University.
Maria Heege, the retired longtime CEO of the United Way of Greater Stark County, said Ater's talents are transferrable to ArtsinStark.
"Listening is a skill and just comes naturally to Mo," she said. "You want to share with her. When you're talking to her, you're the only person there. She's so attuned to you, and it's sincere. She wants to understand, she wants to get to know you, she wants to build community.
"... We're fortunate because Stark County is a little bit richer because Mo is here," Heege added. "And now that she's in this position, it will only go up, and I can't wait to see what she does with the arts."
Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and former publisher of the Repository, said Ater's positivity will translate to the arts.
"Mo cares about who she works for," he said. "She cared about the Repository, she cares about Goodwill and its mission, and she cares about ArtsinStark and wants to help it succeed.
"Not being a trained artist can make someone an even bigger fan of the arts and someone with a deeper appreciation of the skills it takes to create art, in whatever medium," Porter added. "That’s Mo. She will be a strong advocate for all of the arts scene in our region."
ArtsinStark fundraising campaign
ArtsinStark's most visible community presence traditionally has been its annual fundraising campaign.
"Funding for the arts have struggled both nationally and locally," she said, citing the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ArtsinStark revamped its grant program prior to Ater joining the staff. A $1.4 million goal has been set for the 2024 fundraising campaign, a 17% increase over the prior year. She led a campaign launch event in March at the Cultural Center for the Arts.
The campaign has been extended a few weeks to mid-June.
Money raised will focus on education, well-being and vitality, Ater said. To donate to the 2024 Campaign for the Arts, go tohttps://artsinstark.com/donate/.
Grant recipients include the Canton Museum of Art, Canton Ballet, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Sing Stark!, Massillon Museum and the Canton Palace Theatre.
Reviewing applications and awarding limited grant funds means some groups and artists inevitably miss out, Ater acknowledged.
"We can't be all things to everyone, so we take that feedback from the community and focus those dollars to respond to those needs," she explained.
Moving forward in her new job, Ater said she would like to initiate arts-driven conversations with all parts of the county, including Hartville, Minerva, Massillon, Canal Fulton and Louisville.
New home for EN-RICH-MENT and downtown park
Some exciting projects have come to fruition at ArtsinStark.
The new EN-RICH-MENT Arts Education Center is the permanent home of the EN-RICH-MENT Fine Arts Academy. The building, owned by ArtsinStark, is at Market Avenue N and Ninth Street NW at the former Ziegler Tire site and next to the Cultural Center for the Arts. Canton Bluecoats and EN-RICH-MENT partnered on the $1.7 million project.
The EN-RICH-MENT summer camp, with 150 students ages 5 to 18, is already using the new space. The building will be formally unveiled at a grand opening event on June 30, followed by the Bluecoats Party at the Plaza at Centennial Plaza.
Stark's ultimate summer fun guide: More than 40 concerts and fests
Directly behind the EN-RICH-MENT building is the new ArtsinStark Park, which is expected to be fully opened later this month after picnic tables and benches are placed there, Ater said.
The park and EN-RICH-MENT building projects both predate her brief time with ArtsinStark.
"It's all very exciting," she said.
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com.
On X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP and Instagram at ed_balint
Meet Maureen "Mo" Ater
Age: 48
Residence: Plain Township
Family: Husband, Patrick Ater. Daughters, Evelyn, 8; Grace, 12; and Audrey, 14.
Position: CEO of ArtsinStark
Why she took the job: "I believe I'm the right person at the right time. Every organization faces challenges, but I'm never swayed by that. I'm hyper focused on what positive outcomes await. I'm also a realist, and I also know work needs to be done, and I'm never afraid of work."
Education: 1994 Jackson High School graduate. Bachelor's degree in journalism from Ashland University, and master's degree in marketing from West Virginia University.
Community involvement: Previously worked for United Way of Greater Stark County, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio and the Canton Repository. Ater also serves on the boards of multiple local agencies, including the Stark Library Foundation, and she's chairwoman of the YMCA of Central Stark County.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: ArtsinStark CEO Maureen Ater takes helm amid fundraising challenge
