Ohio Arts Council

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 2020-21 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.

Grant seekers are highly encouraged to review the Guidelines Introduction and Overview, as well as instructions for the ARTIE system.


Introduction & Overview	ARTIE Instructions - For Individuals	ARTIE Instructions - For Organizations

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. 2017, 2019)
STAFF CONTACTS
Brianna Dance, Janelle Hallett, and Jim Szekacs

Click below to download the Arts Access PDF.

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 , Janelle Hallett, and Jim Szekacs

Click below to download the Sustainability PDF.

Project Support

ArtSTART | General Project Support for Organizations

APPLICATION DEADLINE
April 1 (annually)
STAFF CONTACTS
Brianna Dance, Janelle Hallett, Jim Szekacs

Click below to download the ArtSTART PDF.

ArtsNEXT | Funding for Bold, Groundbreaking Projects

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

Click below to download the ArtsNEXT PDF.

Capacity Building | Funding that Strengthens Organizational Ability

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

Click below to download the Capacity Building PDF.

Building Cultural Diversity | Project Funding for Culturally-Diverse Organizations

APPLICATION DEADLINE
June 1 annually (for activities taking place July 15-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.

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

APPLICATION DEADLINE
June 1 annually (for activities taking place July 15-next June 30) and if program funds are not expended, December 1 annually (for activities taking place January 15-next June 30)
STAFF CONTACTS
Brianna Dance, Janelle Hallet, and Jim Szekacs

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

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.

Arts Learning

Arts Partnership | Support for Arts Education Projects

APPLICATION DEADLINE
March 1 of odd-numbered years (e.g. 2017, 2019)

STAFF CONTACT
Chiquita Mullins Lee

Click below to download the Arts Partnership PDF.

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.

Big Yellow School Bus | Supporting School Visits to Arts and Cultural Activities

APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications accepted year-round, at least eight weeks prior to planned travel.

STAFF CONTACT
Chiquita Mullins Lee

Click below to download the Big Yellow School Bus PDF.

Individual Artists

Individual Excellence Awards | Recognizing Individual Artistic Achievement

APPLICATION DEADLINE
September 1 (annually)
Odd-numbered years (e.g. 2017, 2019): choreography, criticism, fiction/non-fiction, music composition, playwriting/screenplays, and poetry.
Even-numbered years (e.g. 2018, 2020): crafts, design arts/illustration, interdisciplinary/collaborative & performance art, media arts, photography, visual arts 2D, and visual arts 3D.

STAFF CONTACT
Kathy Signorino

Click below to download the Individual Excellence Awards PDF.

Traditional Arts Apprenticeship | Preserving Cultural Heritage through Collaboration

APPLICATION DEADLINE
March 15 (annually)

STAFF CONTACT
Kathy Signorino

Click below to download the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship PDF.

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

APPLICATION DEADLINE
June 1 annually (for activities taking place July 15-next June 30) and if program funds are not expended, December 1 annually (for activities taking place January 15-next June 30)

STAFF CONTACTS
Brianna Dance, Janelle Hallett, and Jim Szekacs

Grants & Programs Calendar

MayMay JuneJun JulyJul

We found 10 events in April 2019

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
	1 ArtsSTART DeadlineArtsSTART DeadlineApril 1, 2019The ArtSTART program provides flexible, accessible funding to help organizations complete short- term projects addressing a wide variety of goals and objectives. Most awards support the programming of new or emerging organizations, including first - time OAC appl icants, as well as new or established organizations in areas not served by other arts providers. GRANT AWARDS: A pplicants may request between $1,000 and $5,000. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9 Arts Access Panel MeetingArts Access Panel MeetingApril 9, 2019 @ 9:30 AM - 4:30 PMThe Arts Access program supports ongoing arts and cultural activities in all genres that broaden opportunities for the general public to participate in the arts. This flexible two-year funding supports Ohio arts providers as they make artistic experiences available to their communities, positioning Ohio as a vibrant place to live, learn, work, and visit. GRANT AWARDS: Applicants may request between $1,000 and $5,000. All awards require a 1:1 cash match. ELIGIBILITY: All applicants must possess nonprofit status or nonprofit intent, but need not be registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.	10	11 Arts Partnership Panel MeetingArts Partnership Panel MeetingApr 11, 2019 @ 9:30 AM - Apr 12, 2019 @ 4:30 PMThe Arts Partnership program supports arts education projects that address the needs of individual learners and their communities. Grant recipients engage in collaborative planning with partners, emphasize in-depth study of the arts, and use arts learning outcomes and standards-based arts education practices. By supporting these projects and programs, the OAC strengthens arts education locally, regionally, and statewide. GRANT AWARDS: Applicants may request between $4,000 and $25,000. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.	12 Arts Partnership Panel MeetingArts Partnership Panel MeetingApr 11, 2019 @ 9:30 AM - Apr 12, 2019 @ 4:30 PMThe Arts Partnership program supports arts education projects that address the needs of individual learners and their communities. Grant recipients engage in collaborative planning with partners, emphasize in-depth study of the arts, and use arts learning outcomes and standards-based arts education practices. By supporting these projects and programs, the OAC strengthens arts education locally, regionally, and statewide. GRANT AWARDS: Applicants may request between $4,000 and $25,000. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.	13
14	15	16 Traditional Arts Apprenticeships Panel MeetingTraditional Arts Apprenticeships Panel MeetingApril 16, 2019 @ 1:30 PM - 3:30 PMThe Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program provides support for master artists to work with apprentices to build understanding and proficiency in folk and traditional art forms. By pairing exemplary practitioners of traditional art forms with dedicated apprentices, this program allows for concentrated study and cultural exchange. Traditional Arts Apprenticeship awards support the teaching and sharing of important cultural traditions, and enrich the lives of people throughout the state. GRANT AWARDS: Master artists may request up to $4,000 to work with one, and if appropriate, two, apprentices. At least 50 percent of the request must be used for master artist honoraria. No match is required.	17 Sustainability – Central and Southeastern regions – Upper Budget Tier – Day OneSustainability – Central and Southeastern regions – Upper Budget Tier – Day OneApril 17, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PMThe Sustainability program supports ongoing arts and cultural activities in all genres. Awards support the largest and most administratively sophisticated organizations in the state's arts and cultural ecosystem. This flexible and reliable funding supports a wide range of the state's arts providers as they make high-quality artistic experiences available to residents and visitors, positioning Ohio as a national leader in creativity, artistry, and cultural wealth. GRANT AWARDS: Grants vary in size and are determined by a formula that takes into account panel evaluation of each application and the applying organization’s operating income. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.	18 Sustainability – Central and Southeastern regions – Lower Budget Tier – Day Two Sustainability – Central and Southeastern regions – Lower Budget Tier – Day Two April 18, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PMThe Sustainability program supports ongoing arts and cultural activities in all genres. Awards support the largest and most administratively sophisticated organizations in the state's arts and cultural ecosystem. This flexible and reliable funding supports a wide range of the state's arts providers as they make high-quality artistic experiences available to residents and visitors, positioning Ohio as a national leader in creativity, artistry, and cultural wealth. GRANT AWARDS: Grants vary in size and are determined by a formula that takes into account panel evaluation of each application and the applying organization’s operating income. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.	19	20
21	22	23 Sustainability – Western and North Central regions – Upper Budget Tier – Day One Sustainability – Western and North Central regions – Upper Budget Tier – Day One April 23, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PMThe Sustainability program supports ongoing arts and cultural activities in all genres. Awards support the largest and most administratively sophisticated organizations in the state's arts and cultural ecosystem. This flexible and reliable funding supports a wide range of the state's arts providers as they make high-quality artistic experiences available to residents and visitors, positioning Ohio as a national leader in creativity, artistry, and cultural wealth. GRANT AWARDS: Grants vary in size and are determined by a formula that takes into account panel evaluation of each application and the applying organization’s operating income. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.	24 Sustainability – Western and North Central regions – Middle Budget Tier – Day TwoSustainability – Western and North Central regions – Middle Budget Tier – Day TwoApril 24, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PMThe Sustainability program supports ongoing arts and cultural activities in all genres. Awards support the largest and most administratively sophisticated organizations in the state's arts and cultural ecosystem. This flexible and reliable funding supports a wide range of the state's arts providers as they make high-quality artistic experiences available to residents and visitors, positioning Ohio as a national leader in creativity, artistry, and cultural wealth. GRANT AWARDS: Grants vary in size and are determined by a formula that takes into account panel evaluation of each application and the applying organization’s operating income. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.	25 Sustainability – Western and North Central regions – Lower Budget Tier – Day ThreeSustainability – Western and North Central regions – Lower Budget Tier – Day ThreeApril 25, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PMThe Sustainability program supports ongoing arts and cultural activities in all genres. Awards support the largest and most administratively sophisticated organizations in the state's arts and cultural ecosystem. This flexible and reliable funding supports a wide range of the state's arts providers as they make high-quality artistic experiences available to residents and visitors, positioning Ohio as a national leader in creativity, artistry, and cultural wealth. GRANT AWARDS: Grants vary in size and are determined by a formula that takes into account panel evaluation of each application and the applying organization’s operating income. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.	26	27
28	29	30 Sustainability – Northeastern region – Lower Budget Tier – Day One Sustainability – Northeastern region – Lower Budget Tier – Day One April 30, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PMThe Sustainability program supports ongoing arts and cultural activities in all genres. Awards support the largest and most administratively sophisticated organizations in the state's arts and cultural ecosystem. This flexible and reliable funding supports a wide range of the state's arts providers as they make high-quality artistic experiences available to residents and visitors, positioning Ohio as a national leader in creativity, artistry, and cultural wealth. GRANT AWARDS: Grants vary in size and are determined by a formula that takes into account panel evaluation of each application and the applying organization’s operating income. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.	Coming up in May 05/1 - Sustainability – Northeastern region – Middle Budget Tier – Day Two 05/2 - Sustainability - Northeastern Region - Upper Budget Tier - Day Three 05/8 - ArtsNEXT Panel Meeting 05/16 - Ohio Artists on Tour Fee Support Request deadline

March << >>May

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