AKRON, Ohio -- The Akron Art Museum announced it will receive a $30,000 grant for its upcoming exhibition, "Open World: Video Games & Contemporary Art."

The grant was approved by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of its first major funding for fiscal year 2018.

The grant falls into the federal agency's largest grant category, Art Works. This funding category supports projects that focus on creating art that engages the public with diverse works and strengthens communities through the arts.

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu said the Akron Art Museum's agency-supported project is an example of how the arts build stronger and more vibrant communities and prepare children to succeed.

"At the National Endowment for the Arts, we believe that all people should have access to the joy, opportunities and connections the arts bring," Chu said in a news release.

"Open World' will be on view from October 2019-January 2020.

The exhibition includes a range of artworks that are influenced by the popularity and cultural influence of video games.

The show will feature paintings, sculpture, prints, textiles, drawing, animation, video games and modifications and game-based performances and interventions by makers who identify themselves as artists.

The name "Open World" refers to open-world video games that allow players to freely select their objectives while roaming around virtual worlds.

It also refers to the opportunities video games offer for creative expression.

The exhibition will not include commercially produced games but will reference a wide selection of games, including early arcade games, text adventure, modern multi-player online games and first-person shooters.

Artists confirmed for "Open World" include Butt Johnson from New York, Angelo Ray Martinez from South Bend, Ind., Tim Portlock from St. Louis, Suzanne Treister from London and Angela Washko from Pittsburgh.

Participating artists have been influenced by popular video game franchises, such as "The Legend of Zelda," "Final Fantasy, "Super Mario Brothers" and "The Sims."

"Through games, artists build immersive, alternate words," Theresa Bembnister, associate curator at Akron Art Museum, said a news release. "They use digital games to create meaning through imagery, music, sound effects, animation and narrative."

Bembnister said the experience of playing a video game can encourage critical thinking and express a particular viewpoint, much like other diverse works of art do for the viewer.

Visit art.gov/news for more information on projects included in the National Endowment for the Arts grant announcement.

Akron Art Museum is located at 1 S. High St. in downtown Akron. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays.

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