TAP will hold second Mini-Golf Fundraiser Sept. 21

The Tuscarawas Arts Partnership will hold its second annual Mini-Golf Fundraiser at Wilkshire Mini-Golf on Saturday, Sept. 21. Funds raised will aid TAP efforts to advocate for and support arts and culture in Tuscarawas County.

According to TAP Executive Director Wilma Mullet, the event is a great way to have fun while donating to TAP.

The fundraiser will feature a number of locally donated raffle items, prizes for skills such as the lowest number of strokes per hole and lowest score overall, and a 19th gathering at Lockport Brewery.

“We’re really grateful for Lockport Brewery’s support,” Mullet said. “Anyone participating in the event will receive a certificate good for a free appetizer with any drink purchase.”

Live music for the event will be provided by the Brothers Band and Teddy Snyder, the lead guitarist for Moonlyterz and Sparkling Lion Champagne.

Mullet said raising funds for the arts in Tuscarawas County is important for a number of reasons.

“If you look at funding geographically here, there are abundant resources being poured into New Philadelphia, Dover and even Newcomerstown more recently. But what about places like Mineral City, Bolivar and Gnadenhutten? We want to grow our Tuscarawas Arts Support Grant program to provide more opportunities in those areas for greater equitability,” Mullet said.

To that end, Mullet said 70% of every donation goes toward operational costs, with the other 30% going into the grant program.

As TAP approaches its 10th anniversary, Mullet said the organization hopes to use the experience it has accumulated to make arts and culture more accessible and more vibrant while increasing arts opportunities for county residents.

Among the ways TAP improves community exposure to the arts is the annual Art on the Alley event in New Philadelphia. This year’s event will be held Sunday, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A new event is the LoveTusc Sculpture Scavenger Hunt, which invites people to take snapshots of one of the county’s sculptures and submit them for a prize drawing.

The importance of the arts

Mullet cited a number of reasons the arts are important to maintain in society.

“The arts are a part of the fabric of our humanity,” she said. “The arts can help people cope with emotional or mental health issues and give kids a safe space to go whenever they are in school. It also empowers individuals to perform creative problem-solving, whether it’s in business or school.”

Mullet also acknowledged the power of the arts as an economic driver. “We saw about a $25,000 return on investment from New Philadelphia’s Art on the Alley in 2022 from just a five-hour event,” she said.

While majoring in art at the University of Mount Union, Mullet was tasked by ArtsinStark with planning an arts festival in Alliance.

“I remember a moment during the festival when I was standing in the street and watching people interact with the artists and how the arts were bringing people together. That’s when I realized what I wanted to do with my life, and I’ve never looked back,” Mullet said.

To register a team

“We have an online portal for people to register teams of up to five members,” Mullet said. “The portal also allows them the opportunity to win raffle items.”

A link to registration can be found on the TAP Facebook page. Registration is $100 for a team of up to five people. Tee times are at 4:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Wilkshire Mini-Golf is located at 10724 state Route 212 in Bolivar.

The TAP Mini-Golf Fundraiser is sponsored by the Kraton Corporation and a number of local hole sponsors. Mullet said there may still be sponsorships available at press time, and raffle items are always welcome including gift baskets, gift cards, tickets to special events or unique experiences.

Visit www.tuscarawasartspartnership.org or call 330-451-6086.