Sustainability—Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I tell if my organization is eligible for Sustainability or Arts Access?
The Sustainability Guidelines detail the eligibility requirements for applicants.  If you are unsure whether your organization is eligible for Sustainability or for Arts Access, refer to this chart; organizations can only be eligible for one program or the other.

2. My organization applied to the Sustainability program but was turned down; are we eligible for Arts Access support?
Yes.  If your organization applied for but did not receive Sustainability support, you can apply during the following fiscal year for Arts Access (Project Support only) before returning to request Sustainability support again.  If your organization receives funding through Arts Access (and has an annual budget above $30,000), it will be eligible for Sustainability again at the next deadline.  Note: if your organization is turned down at the Sustainability program in the spring, it may not apply to the Arts Access program that same fall; however, it would be eligible to apply the following year in the spring or fall.

3. May I receive funding through the Sustainability program and also apply to Arts Innovation for a new or special one-time project?
Yes. However, these grants will be highly competitive and that priority will be given to those projects that are truly progressive and represent a departure from the day-to-day programming of their institutions. You may wish to contact your OAC Program Coordinator for more information.

4. My organization has a budget over $1.5 million. May I apply for funding through the Sustainability program and also apply to Arts Innovation for a new or special one-time project?
Yes. However, due to limited funding, be aware that small, emerging and mid-sized arts and cultural organizations will generally be given priority for Arts Innovation funds.

5. Is there still a $40,000 maximum for the total amount of grant money that an organization may receive in one fiscal year from the OAC?
No organization with a budget lower than $1.5 million may receive more than $40,000 in a single fiscal year through any combination of grants from the Sustainability and Arts Innovation programs. This cap excludes additional funding from all other programs. Please contact your OAC Program Coordinator for more information.

6. How can I tell if my organization's past OAC grant awards will be considered as part of its eligibility for Sustainability?
Every OAC grant awarded through the ARTIE system is considered part of an organization's grant history with the OAC.  The Sustainability program considers grants received by an organization in the last four fiscal years as part of their eligibility requirements (see program guidelines for details).  Because the ARTIE system was launched in the 2006 fiscal year, all relevant OAC grant awards your organization has received are viewable in your ARTIE account (see your Archives  section to review them).  Any OAC grant that your organization received that is viewable in ARTIE counts towards your eligibility for Sustainability.

7. I missed the deadline for the Sustainability program; is emergency or special assistance available?
No, the OAC no longer has a mini-grant program available.  You may also wish to determine if there are other OAC grant programs with later deadlines for which your organization is eligible. Please see the deadlines page.

8. What support materials are required as part of my organization's application?
After applying online via the OnLine Grant Application system (ARTIE), applicants must mail (or hand deliver) a signed hard copy of their application to the Ohio Arts Council office in Columbus, along with a complete packet of support materials.  Different programs require different support materials. Appendix H of the Guidelines details which pieces are required of every Sustainability applicant, which are recommended (but optional) to make your application competitive, and which are recommended only for your specific application.  The signed application and support materials packet are due seven calendar days following the deadline by 5 p.m.