Grant Programs

The Ohio Arts Council's current grant programs are grouped into four categories. Explore below to learn more about available grant programs, including deadlines, staff contacts, review criteria, and more.

Guidelines

The OAC Guidelines 2022-23 describe how funds entrusted to the Ohio Arts Council by the Governor and Ohio Legislature are to be invested in arts and culture, as well as the expected returns on those investments: quality arts experiences that strengthen Ohio artistically, educationally, and culturally. 

  • Organizational awards will be made in operating and project support programs. 
  • Individual artists will be supported through programs that recognize excellence, preserve cultural traditions, and offer developmental support. 
  • Arts learning programs will fund a variety of purpose-driven experiences for educators and learners of all ages. 

Reminder: Read Those Guidelines!
For organizations and individuals preparing grant proposals for the OAC this spring: Don’t forget to review the current FY 2022-23 Guidelines! As it does every two years, the OAC board approved revisions to the Guidelines last fall, which included updates to some eligibility criteria, grant request amounts, funding restrictions, staff contacts, and other details. Make sure to review the current Guidelines for any program you’re considering applying to, and, of course, contact your program coordinator if you have questions.

Guideline Introduction & Overview   Ohio Arts Council ARTIE Instructions for Individuals  Ohio Arts Council ARTIE Instructions for Organizations
   Introduction & Overview          ARTIE Instructions - For Individuals          ARTIE Instructions - For Organizations    

ohio arts council artie logo mark

Log In
Log in to the ARTIE system to submit a grant application or manage your award.

APPLYING FOR A GRANT?
Check out the Grantwriting Tip Sheet before you apply.

SERVING ON A PANEL?
Review the Panelist Handbook before your meeting date.

NOMINATE A PANELIST
Complete the online Panelist Nomination Form.

Operating Support

Arts Access | General Operating Support for Small Organizations

APPLICATION DEADLINE
March 1 of odd-numbered years (e.g. 2021, 2023)
STAFF CONTACTS
Brianna Dance and Jim Szekacs

Click below to download the Arts Access PDF.

Arts Access Grant Guidelines

Sustainability | General Operating Support for Large and Mid-Sized Organizations

APPLICATION DEADLINE
February 1 of every fourth year only (next deadline 2019)
STAFF CONTACTS
Brianna Dance and Jim Szekacs

Click below to download the Sustainability PDF.

Sustainability Grant Guidelines

Project Support

ArtSTART | General Project Support for Organizations

APPLICATION DEADLINE
April 1 (annually)
STAFF CONTACTS
Brianna Dance and Jim Szekacs

Click below to download the ArtSTART PDF.

ArtSTART Grant Guidelines

ArtsNEXT | Funding for Bold, Groundbreaking Projects

APPLICATION DEADLINE
March 1 (annually)
STAFF CONTACTS
Brianna Dance and Jim Szekacs

Click below to download the ArtsNEXT PDF.

ArtsNEXT Grant Guidelines

Capacity Building | Funding that Strengthens Organizational Ability

APPLICATION DEADLINE
July 1 annually (for activities taking place August 1-next June 30)
December 1 annually (for activities taking place January 15-next June 30)
STAFF CONTACTS
Brianna Dance and Jim Szekacs

Click below to download the Capacity Building PDF.

Capacity Building Grant Guidelines

Building Cultural Diversity | Project Funding for Culturally-Diverse Organizations

APPLICATION DEADLINE
July 1 annually (for activities taking place August 1-next June 30)
December 1 annually (for activities taking place January 15-next June 30)
STAFF CONTACT
Jim Szekacs

Click below to download the Building Cultural Diversity PDF.

Building Cultural Diversity Grant Guidelines

Artists with Disabilities Access Program | Professional Development Support for Artists with Disabilities

APPLICATION DEADLINE
May 1 annually (for up to 12 months of activities taking place July 1—next June 30) and, if program funds are not expended, November 1 annually (for up to six months of activities taking place January 1—June 30)

STAFF CONTACTS
Katie Davis

Click below to download the Artists with Disabilities Access Program PDF.

Artists with Disabilities Access Program Grant Guidelines

Ohio Artists on Tour | Artist Fee Support for Presenters

APPLICATION DEADLINE
May 15 for fully-executed contracts

STAFF CONTACT
Brianna Dance

Click below to download the Ohio Artists on Tour PDF.

Ohio Artists on Tour Grant Guidelines

Arts Learning

Arts Partnership | Support for Arts Education Projects

APPLICATION DEADLINE
March 1 of odd-numbered years (e.g. 2021, 2023)

STAFF CONTACT
Chiquita Mullins Lee

Click below to download the Arts Partnership PDF.

Arts Partnership Grant Guidelines

TeachArtsOhio | Customizable Artist Residencies for PK-12 Students in Ohio's Schools

APPLICATION DEADLINE
February 1 (annually)

STAFF CONTACT
Jarred Small

Click below to download the TeachArtsOhio PDF.

TeachArtsOhio Grant Guidelines

Big Yellow School Bus | Supporting School Visits to Arts and Cultural Activities
Update: 8/7/2020: Due to state budget reductions necessitated by COVID-19, funding for this program is not available for this fiscal year.

STAFF CONTACT
Chiquita Mullins Lee

Click below to download the Big Yellow School Bus PDF.

Big Yellow School Bus Grant Guidelines

Individual Artists

Individual Excellence Awards | Recognizing Individual Artistic Achievement 
Update: 8/7/2020: Due to state budget reductions necessitated by COVID-19, awards for this year have been reduced to $4,000.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
September 1 (annually)
Odd-numbered years (e.g. 2021, 2023): choreography, criticism, fiction/non-fiction, music composition, playwriting/screenplays, and poetry.
Even-numbered years (e.g. 2020, 2022): crafts, design arts/illustration, interdisciplinary/collaborative & performance art, media arts, photography, visual arts 2D, and visual arts 3D.

STAFF CONTACT
Katie Davis

Click below to download the Individual Excellence Awards PDF.

Individual Excellence Awards Grant Guidelines

Heritage Fellowship Award | Highlighting Our Cultural Treasures 

APPLICATION DEADLINE
March 15 (annually)

STAFF CONTACT
Katie Davis

Click below to download the Heritage Fellowship Award.

Heritage Fellowship Award Grant Guidelines

Traditional Arts Apprenticeship | Preserving Cultural Heritage through Collaboration

APPLICATION DEADLINE
March 15 (annually)

STAFF CONTACT
Katie Davis

Click below to download the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship PDF.

Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant Guidelines

Artists with Disabilities Access Program | Professional Development Support for Artists with Disabilities

APPLICATION DEADLINE
May 1 annually (for up to 12 months of activities taking place July 1 – next June 30) and, if program funds are not expended, November 1 annually (for up to six months of activities taking place January 1 – June 30)

STAFF CONTACT
Katie Davis

Artists with Disabilities Access Program Grant Guidelines

Grants & Programs Calendar