Going Beyond the Requirements

• Introduction
• OAC Contract Summary
• Beyond the Requirements
• Getting State Officials Involved

Here are some suggestions for other ways you can help to inform people about the importance of public funding to the life of your organization and your community:

• Write an article for your newsletter about the importance of OAC support and the difference it makes to your organization.
• Arrange for an article to be written in your local newspaper about the Council's support of your organization.
• Invite the Council's executive director, chairman or a board member to speak at one of your important events.
• Write an opinion piece or a letter to the editor crediting the Council for support of your organization.
• Create a lobby display or some other public exhibit for your library, town hall, school, etc. For example, showcase children's work or other Council-supported activities.
• Send a special letter home to parents from the principal of your school or executive director of your organization explaining the work of the Council and the programs supported in your school or organization.

Impact Of Public Funding
State and Federal funding for the arts has been vulnerable because many people are unaware of the impact public funding has on people's lives and within communities. You can inform people about the partnership between your organization and the Ohio Arts Council by printing the article provided above in your organization's newsletter.

Publicizing Your Grant
In addition to publicizing your organization and its programs, we urge you to let the news media know about your grant award. While the Ohio Arts Council announces all grant awards, you can help by encouraging reporters in your community to prepare in-depth stories about your grant.

To help legislators understand the importance of the investment of public funds for cultural activities, we strongly encourage you to contact your state senator and representative for quotes to include in your own news releases relating to programs supported with public money. Funding for the Ohio Arts Council depends on the support of the governor and the legislature. You can draft a quote for them to review and approve. For example, they could comment on how public support enables your organization to reach new audiences, foster community development, provide the highest quality programming, develop models for integrating the arts into the school curriculum, create public value, etc.

Remember, while you are receiving the grant now, a feature article about your organization or a particular program may be developed once your events are up and running. Please acknowledge the Ohio Arts Council in those future relevant articles.