In My Own Words

Why do you do what you do?
I grew up in a small town called Delavan, Wis. We had one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. Both my folks worked in a factory that made clocks for cars. I had great public school teachers in science and reading — and in the arts. I played in the band, did theater, took visual arts classes, sang in the chorus, and tried my luck at speech and forensics. These experiences changed my life.
When it came time to go off to the university, I had to make a choice. Would I be a lawyer, a minister or an artist? The arts won out, but I did not actually become an artist. I became an arts administrator, a guy who “orchestrates” budgets, marketing and fundraising. I’ve been doing that for more than 30 years.  
My wife, Claudette, and I came here six years ago from Oregon. We really like Canton and Stark County. The people are so nice, and the progress the arts have made is pretty amazing. Six years ago there was one art gallery in downtown Canton, and not a single artist studio. Today there are 26 art galleries and studios. Six years ago, the most the annual Arts Campaign could raise was $970,000. Last year we raised $1.5 million, a 60 percent increase. This year we’ll raise even more. In March, we unveiled a 10-year plan for arts and economic development for the entire county called 20/20 Vision. In May, ArtsinStark will go to a special luncheon in Columbus to receive the 2012 Governor’s Award for the Arts. I do what I do because I love to see the arts help small places do great things.
What is on your bucket list?
I want to learn to play the blues on the guitar. I’ve got the passion, but not the talent, so that will take the rest of my life. But, my most important bucket list goal is becoming the best husband possible to my wonderful wife, Claudette. She has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. We are true partners. So I want to spend the rest of my life showing her how much I love her.
What is on your mind?
I believe that inventors, scientists, artists and entrepreneurs do the same things. They imagine the new and then make it real. They innovate our lives. America is the world’s birthplace for new ideas and technology. And now, more than ever, each one of us needs to become the Thomas Edison, the Madame Curie and the Steve Jobs of our own life. It’s time to stop waiting for help to come from somewhere else. It’s time for less talk and more action. So I’m organizing my own personal “Every American an Inventor” campaign. Wanna sign up?

About Robb Hankins
WHAT: President and CEO of ArtsinStark and the County Arts Council.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in theater, master’s in communications, master’s in arts administration, all from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
COMMUNITY BOARDS: I spend every waking hour working on the arts (and sometimes while I’m sleeping, too!), Downtown Special Improvement District, Community Building Partnership and Stark County/Canton Convention & Visitors’ Bureau.