Ohio Arts Council Announces Two New Grant Programs
by Jaclyn Reynolds

The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) is launching two new grant programs titled Building Cultural Diversity Initiative and Arts Learning Artist Express. The Building Cultural Diversity Initiative and Arts Learning Artist Express offer two very different ways to build arts experiences for Ohioans.

The Building Cultural Diversity Initiative reflects the OAC’s belief that public investment in culturally diverse arts organizations and emerging arts professionals ensures that Ohio citizens can experience a rich, diverse and vibrant cultural life. The initiative supports the development and viability of arts organizations whose mission, programs and staff are representative of Black/African American, Appalachian, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or other culturally specific perspectives. The program also supports arts organizations in the training of emerging minority arts administrators.

The OAC supports this work by providing current information and resources when appropriate, maintaining a searchable database of screened, preferred consultants and remaining as flexible as possible with assistance. The grants are competitive and the OAC recommends organizations contact their regional program coordinator in the Office of Organizational Services and Community Development before submitting an application.

OAC’s Arts Learning program is introducing a new funding opportunity for residencies. 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.

Schools, nonprofit arts organizations and other community organizations incorporating the arts in their mission are eligible to apply. Grants awarded to the sponsor cover three-fourths of the artist fee. The sponsor is responsible for the remaining fourth. Potential applicants should contact the OAC Office of Arts Learning to notify it of their intention to apply and receive instructions on how to access and complete the application.

For more information about these programs or for regional staff contacts visit the OAC Web site at www.oac.state.oh.us.

The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.

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