Kent State University's College of the Arts announces the four winners of the ArtsLAUNCH! 2026 Grant Competition, presented in partnership with the John S. and Marlene J. Brinzo Center for Entrepreneurship. The winners were recognized Oct. 14 during the college's Art Without Limits event.
Established in 2021, ArtsLAUNCH! supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing new creative work and entrepreneurial ventures that contribute to the arts economy. Students submitted proposals in two categories: New Art, recognizing creative work demonstrating originality and artistic intent, and New Arts Venture, recognizing projects with the potential to launch and positively impact the arts economy.
Each winner receives a $500 grant to support the development of their proposed project.
The 2026 ArtsLAUNCH! winners are Kitalya Buchanan (New Art, Undergraduate) for "Branded By God"; Sydney Kay (New Art, Graduate) for "From One Mother to the Next"; Addison Kreger (New Arts Venture, Undergraduate) for "The Art Machine"; and Belle Espinal (New Arts Venture, Graduate) for "Journeys of the Diaspora."
Proposals were evaluated by a panel of professionals representing arts entrepreneurship, creative industries and education. The judges included Andrew Heise, managing director of the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and associate teaching professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City; Aimon Ali, fashion entrepreneur, creative strategist and community builder; and Vincent Verderame, percussionist, music director, educator and audio professional.
About the ArtsLAUNCH! 2026 Winners
Kitalya Buchanan
Program of study: Fashion Merchandising
Category: New Art, Undergraduate
Project: "Branded By God"
Sydney Kay
Program of study: Studio Art, Print Media and Photography
Category: New Art, Graduate
Project: "From One Mother to the Next"
Addison Kreger
Program of study: Visual Communication Design
Category: New Arts Venture, Undergraduate
Project: "The Art Machine"
Belle Espinal
Program of study: Geography
Category: New Arts Venture, Graduate
Project: "Journeys of the Diaspora"
While Espinal was unable to attend the announcement in person, her project was recognized alongside the other winning proposals.
Banner Image: Left to Right - Kitalya Buchanan, Sydney Kay, Addison Kreger
