Arts Learning—Lifelong Learning for All Ohio Citizens

Learning in the arts is an enduring human story.

And, it's a story that should belong to all people.

With those two ideas in mind, the Arts Learning program was created. We support passionate and disciplined engagement in the arts for learners of all ages throughout their lives. The Ohio Arts Council envisions Ohio's schools and communities as creative places where citizens flourish because of this deep engagement with the arts, and where they can give voice to their beliefs, values, ideas, and dreams. Arts Learning programs encourage efforts that help to communicate the power of the arts in our lives, as well as to understand the nature of teaching and learning in the arts. We invite you to contribute to the human story that is uniquely expressed through the arts.

Please read on for the specifics of this program, and let us know what questions you have and what you think!

Arts Learning has three grant categories:

Artist Express supports one or two day projects that involve an artist visit and may include planning and residency activities with participants. The program is for applicants that have never had an OAC artist in residence or for experienced residency sponsors wishing to expand learning opportunities through an arts discipline that is new for the site. This experience is designed to broaden access and stimulate exploration of an art discipline with an experienced professional artist.

Artist in Residence supports in-depth study with accomplished professional artists in a variety of educational and community settings. Artists engage participants of varying ages, cultures, experiences, and ability levels in making art within a mutually supportive and creative learning environment. Imaginative thinking, problem-solving, goal-setting and teamwork are part of the in-depth process.

Arts Partnership supports activities that enhance the quality of and access to learning in the arts for learners of all ages, backgrounds, experience levels and abilities. In this category, priority is given to collaborative efforts that emphasize skill acquisition and direct participation in and access to quality arts experiences. Additional priorities include fostering commitment to arts learning in school and community settings and supporting research, evaluation, and scholarship about teaching and learning in the arts.

Before applying to any Arts Learning programs you must read Guidelines, specifically the legal and program requirements. With the exception of the Artist in Residence Artist Roster application all Arts Learning deadlines use the Online Grant Application system (OLGA).

PLEASE NOTE: The Arts Learning/Artist in Residence program application for artists is NOT part of OLGA. Artists applying for the Artist in Residence Roster must submit a paper application. For this program use the following links to download either an Omniform executible file or a PDF form of the Arts Learning/Artist in Residence—Artist form.

Executible (Omniform for Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 95 or Windows 98.)

PDF (for Mac and Windows users—Note: You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and work in this form but unless you have purchased the full version of Adobe Acrobat you will not be able to save any of your changes to this form.)

The Ohio Arts Council is looking for people to serve on advisory panels to review grant applications. To nominate a panelist complete a Nomination for Panel Membership form or contact Karine Aswad at karine.aswad@oac.state.oh.us or 614/466-2613.

Arts Learning Frequently Asked Questions

General grants process FAQ

Resources